5 Christmas Traditions That Are Actually Terrifying

La Befana — The Witch Who Flies on Epiphany

In Italy, Christmas isn’t just about Santa. On the night of January 5, an old witch named La Befana flies around on her broomstick, delivering gifts to good children and lumps of coal to bad ones. The story goes that the Three Wise Men invited her to join them on their journey to see baby Jesus, but she refused because she was busy sweeping. She later regretted it, so she still flies around every Epiphany, hoping to find the baby. She’s described as ugly, hunched, and dressed in rags. She’s also famous for sweeping the floor of every house she visits. It’s the kind of tradition that makes kids behave out of genuine fear.