Myths of Merriment (Part 2 Has Started!)

[rosetti]

Gingie Babie Yagie

Take extra care when crafting your seasonal gingerbread house, otherwise it may become inhabited by a foul, bad-tempered Gingie Babie Yagie!! Similar to a traditional Baba Yaga, scrawny chicken legs will sprout underneath the ginger bread, and before you know it your specially prepared Christmas Day turkey will be fried and eaten!!!! You'll be next, before it scurries away deep into the forest again... unless it takes a liking to your own festive tree?​

 

[jadetine]

The Ghost of Christmas Pickles

Every year at the beginning of December, a burly ghost wanders back into the pickle factory, carrying his empty keg. The factory workers know by now that to keep the factory running, they must set aside a batch of whole pickles for the ghost. He scoops the batch into his barrel and wanders the suburbs, seeking Christmas trees that have been adorned well before Christmas Eve.

Some folks may notice an additional ornament added to their trees-- a little pickle, shiny and briny, swinging from a bough. For those who were not blessed by a visit, they can invite good luck and bountiful presents by adding a pickle to their tree every year, so long as it is the last ornament to be added. For the children on Christmas morning, whomever finds the pickle first is awarded an extra present and good luck for the following year.

[This is my own fairy tale based on the actual Christmas Pickle tradition I learned about recently.]

 

[daringred_]

the jackaslope

the wintry counterpart of the fabled jackalope, jackaslopes are thought to be the original snow bunnies and where inspiration for those very snow creations originated. mostly nocturnal, their silvery fur helps them blend in perfectly with their snowy environments, and their antlers seem to shimmer like snowflakes, glowing under the moonlight. the folktales say that while people's carefully crafted snow bunnies might seem to simply melt away overnight, they are actually brought to life by the mystical jackaslope and hop off into the wilderness to enjoy winter's chill. so, if you're ever in the woods at this time of year and think you see something glimmering between the trees, or snow shifting in the corner of your eye, it might just well be a jackaslope, guiding snow bunnies in harmony.​

 

[roseflower]

The sneaky Santa snake​

Every year when it is the high time of the gift giving season, Santa snake, a green snake with a red and golden pattern on her back, puts on her little red Santa hat adorned with a silver bell at the brim and gets on with her work. She sneaks into everyone's homes and helps to decorate any trees - or even plants if she can't find a tree - with cute paper stars and hearts. Those paper stars and hearts are magical and made by herself, and they glimmer and sparkle and are supposed to bring happiness and joy to everyone!

 

[JellyBeans]

red-handed rob(b)in

sorry, you thought it was the merry santa giving you coal if you've been naughty? don't be silly, santa thinks every little girl and boy across the world deserves to open something nice on christmas morning. the red robin, on the other hand.. though he looks little, he has some pretty big feelings about misbehaving children. as soon as santa wiggles back up that chimney, red-handed robin flutters right on down and swaps out some presents for coal he found left in the fireplace. what does he do with the presents he takes, you ask? well, that's still to be discovered... we haven't caught him yet!

 

[digimon]

 the solstice star 

  way up near the north pole, lies a quiet sleepy town nestled between the snowy mountains. legend has it that every winter solstice a meteor shower occurs up high in the northern sky. at the top of the highest mountain, a star falls out of the sky at night and grants one wish to whoever is brave enough to fair the trip up to the peak and catch it. many have tried to make the journey up to the summit and failed, swallowed whole by frosty blizzards and blistering winds....​

 

[Princess Mipha]

The glowing Teddy bear

Teddy bears are cute, aren't they? Well, not this one. While it might look innocent and cute by day, once the sun goes down and christmas lights turn on all around town you will see him: The glowing teddy bear with his empty, big black eyes. Little kids are running away once his lights turn on, as they know it will burn his image into their eyes forever. You never know when he is going to switch from innocent and cute to glowing and dangerous. Kids, be careful!​

Spoiler: Little backstory

We have a giant teddy bear that is glowing in the night next to our house, where the townhall is. My little one says he's so cute when he is not glowing, but is extremelly scared of him once he has it's lights on. Perfect inspiration for this tale

 

[Shanica92]

The Tiny Holiday Mermaids​

The tiny Holiday mermaids are fast, cute, and tiny mermaids of the sea. How many mermaids are there? Some say there are Twelve like Twelve days of Christmas or eight like Hanukkah or seven like Kwanzaa, but nobody knows cause they're so tiny and swim fast. Between December 1st through January 1st they swim the sea leaving a trail of gifts behind and holiday spirit undersea above the surface. So if you're fish or ice fish between those days, you might catch one of their gifts and depending on what person you are, a nice gift or a naughty one.

 

[Millysaurusrexjr]

The Merry Merino Sheep

The Merry Merino Sheep appears to those unfortunate enough to become stuck in dangerous blizzards during the holiday season. The Merry Merino Sheep cannot call for help as it is unable to talk, but it does its best to help out by using its telekinetic powers to quickly knit colorful sweaters, scarves, hats, gloves, and socks -- all from its own magical wool, which regenerates instantly. Everything this sheep knits will keep you warm and safe from frostbite!

Additionally, The Merry Merino Sheep likes to gift its own homemade yarn to little old ladies who knit for charity.
It can crochet but not very well.​

 

[KittenNoir]

The Candy Cane Kid

The candy cane kid is not a kid but in fact a fully grown man who looks thin and twisty like a candy cane. This mysterious candy cane kid walks with a crooked back and dresses in torn red and white clothing. He searches through the villages for toys under the trees which have been left for the children. He uses a cane to snatch all the toys and takes them back to his cave. On Christmas Day he opens all the presents and keeps them for himself as he never received any gifts when he was a child. Legend has it that his family abandoned him as a child because of the way he looked

 

[Zerous]

The Embers of Joy:

The light flickers gently through their black misty body, this creature resembles a child. Their body, made of chimney soot and the collective wishes of children during the festive season, is said to gently guide Father Christmas, helping him down the chimney, and find his way around within the house to deliver presents. Gentle and kind, this spirit has only been spotted a handful of times. One child, who snuck out of bed on Christmas Eve, reported the spirit floating around them, and playing a small game of catch, before gently guiding them back to bed.

 

[Mokuren]

Tale of the Snowlark

With the changes of season the cold comes. Up in the north there is rumored to be a bird with feathers that are shimmering like ice crystals. Every christmas Eve the bird flys across the sky, leaving a trail of sparkling snowflakes in its wake. The sight of the bird is said to bring good luck and happiness for the coming year but if you try to catch the Snowlark or follow it, you will be lost in a snowstorm and never to find the way home. Every year people leave offerings of warm food and bright laterns outside their homes to reviece the blessing of the Snowlark. ​

 

[Vhoop]

This mythical creature is seldom sighted, and there are only a few eyewitness accounts regarding its appearance and nature. It is said to be sighted during the holiday season in areas brimming with joy and the Christmas spirit, almost as if it has come to celebrate alongside everyone. Physically, the magical creature is seen to be most similar to the Canadian Moose in regards to its antlers, however, it is much smaller, rounder and dons forest green tips on the ends of its fur. This creature is: The Mingel.

One Christmas Eve, the Mingel was seen on the outskirts of a small town, known for its hearty Christmas celebration. It was stated to have been prancing around, with a serene green glow almost as if little stars had surrounded the magical creature. When the glow faded, so had the Mingle, still yet to be seen again today.

With the holiday season upon us, we must all celebrate together in hopes of bringing the Mingel out of hiding, and this time we can show it the fun of enjoying Christmas as one!

 

[Chibi.Hoshi]

Twinkle-lee, the Ghost of Christmas Cheer

Long ago, in a quiet little town blanketed by snow, a small spirit named Twinkle-lee appeared. Twinkle-lee was a cheerful and giggly young ghost who adored Christmas more than anything. She secretly spread joy wherever she could, stringing garlands, whistling carols, and leaving handmade gifts and trinkets. Her laughter was so warm and cheery that it could melt even the coldest of hearts.

Twinkle-lee first appeared on a stormy, snowy night, passing through while delivering baskets of gifts. By morning, a soft glow lit up the town square. The townsfolk awoke to find mysterious gifts hanging from the branches of the massive town tree, each tagged with their names. A little boy received warm mittens, an elderly woman discovered a tin of cocoa she had long missed, and at the base of the tree, a tiny bell rang softly. Those who listened closely swore they could hear Twinkle-lee's laughter carried by the wind.

From that day on, Twinkle-lee’s spirit returned every Christmas Eve, bringing joy and mending hearts. Some say you can catch a glimpse of her ghostly form glowing faintly under the moonlight, her tiny bell jingling as she floats through the snowy streets with a glistening smile and endless cheer. A reminder that true Christmas spirit never fades.​

 

[Holla]

Snow Bunny Elves

Mischievous little elf-like bunnies made of snow, green leaves for ears and holly berries for eyes hop around this time of year. Don’t expect to see one easily though, they are adept at hiding in plain sight. Word is that they are the ones keeping an eye on which children are naughty and nice as Santa’s elves are too busy making toys this close to Toy Day.

 

[Flyffel]

The Aurora Veiled ​

The Aurora Veiled is a humanoid-esque phantom of the night that hovers through the Laplands during the dark hours, mostly in weather conditions where one could suffer a frostbite. It is a deeply dark creature that wears a veil reminiscent of an Aurora Borealis. It's motifs are unknown, but the lucky people who have met it report that it seems harmless and a bit shy. It is a magnificent, unforgettable sight and some of those who have met it swear that the encounter changed their lives, even though no one can say exactly why or how.

 

[Muna]

The Gleamdeer ​

There is a rumor that right after the holiday season you might catch a glimpse of a mysterious, one of a kind deer. When it steps, the sound of jingling bells can be heard all around, its massive antlers glow with many colors from bulbs attached to them, and delicate, luminescent strands float around the creature, almost like an angel's hair. It is said to be the spirit of the forest, bringing good luck to those fortunate enough to see it.

Some folks say it's just a regular deer that rummaged through holiday garbage and ended up with decorations stuck on its antlers. But they're just mean and don't understand the true magic of the nature.

 

[Aquilla]

The sassy gnomes

Not to be confused with Santa's elves, the sassy gnomes are found to be particularily active during holiday season in late December. They like to hide away in dark and cozy cracks and crevices, coming out at night or when unobserved to play little pranks on unsuspecting folks. Maybe check your shoes before putting them on for acorns and your socks if perhaps they have been sewn together. Occasionally you might notice missing buttons on coats, or you can only find one earring. They have a fascination with everything smooth and shiny.
​

 

[That Marshal Fangirl]

The Squirrel of First Snowfall​

This folktale originates from northern New England, where forests are abundant and winter snows tend to come in when you least expect it. Squirrels are common creatures in this part of the world, nesting in the trees that grow thickly together. Most of them are brownish in color and scamper by unnoticed. However, as legend would have it, as the first snowflakes of winter cluster together and form a thick blanket on the ground, you just might catch sight of something bounding near the woods. So the story goes, if you put on your boots and sneak over, you'll see a squirrel as blindingly white as the snow itself, gathering its last acorn for winter. And supposedly, if you follow its path into the woods, it will lead you to a hollow in a tree where it nests. According to the few people who insist they've seen this elusive creature, it stashes glittering treasures among its food. The young girl who first told this story came home with a handful of centuries-old gold coins, much to the astonishment of her parents. No one has managed to provide concrete proof of this elusive white squirrel though, and most who hear this folktale are doubters.​

 

[nightglow]

The Icicle Weaver

In the midst of an ice storm, you may see the apparition of the Icicle Weaver if you are lucky.
The dreadful rain must freeze on the branches of 3 differing adjacent deciduous trees.
With a frigid West wind, she manifests, snapping the icicles off of the branches.
She weaves the icicles together with her phantom hands.

The clanging ice reverberates through the night from sharp chimes, to roaring rings.
Her ghostly songs howl along side them together as an eerie orchestra.
Sometimes whole tree limbs fall due to the echos.
She roams until she is satisfied with her lengthy song.

Her creation is so easy to identify.
The icicles grow massive, in a crude wind chime structure without its striker, hanging on the lowest of branches.
Sometimes even upon the side of buildings.
The vibrations of her voice, are captured in time on the surface of the ice in many lumps and nodules.
Oh, they are deadly, as they always fall when dawn warms into mid morning.
Beware.​