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Christmas! The Dark and Bizarre Side episode artwork

Dec 21, 2025 48 min

Christmas! The Dark and Bizarre Side

from X-UMED Hosted by Lisa Hyndman & Samantha Harrison

Summary This conversation explores the bizarre and darker aspects of Christmas traditions around the world. From the origins of caroling to the unique customs of different cultures, the hosts delve into the strange and often frightening folklore associated with the holiday season. They discuss various traditions, including the burning of a devil in Guatemala, the pooping log in Spain, and the mischievous Christmas monsters like Krampus and Frau Perchta. The conversation highlights how these customs reflect a blend of joy, fear, and the supernatural during the festive season. Sources https://www.buzzfeed.com/aglover/terrifying-origins-of-christmas-traditions https://www.almanac.com/christmas-facts-and-trivia https://boroughsofthedead.com/frau-perchta/ https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-stories/25-days-of-christmas/frau-perchta-the-christmas-witch-who-will-take-your-insides/ https://petticoatsandpistols.com/2022/12/19/the-history-of-christmas-carols-and-caroling/ https://www.pennlive.com/news/2023/12/meet-the-belsnickel-a-pa-dutch-christmas-legend-who-leaves-more-than-coal-for-naughty-kids.html https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/burning-the-devil-in-guatemala https://www.history.com/articles/krampus-christmas-legend-origin https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/monsters-of-christmas

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