So, when I lived in Italy, I was thoroughly confused by plastic Christmas witches for sale everywhere. This delightful elderly lady was Befana, who delivers gifts to children on the night before Epiphany (January 5th). The name Befana is thought to have originated from the Italian mispronunciation of the Greek word Epifania (Epiphany).

If they are good the children will have their socks filled with yummy sweets, but if they are naughty she will give them a lump of coal or a stick in Sicily. As a particular houseproud visitor it is thought that Befana also sweeps the floor before she leaves – shame she doesn’t visit the UK, as we’ve had builders in for a while and I can’t keep on top of the mud and dust! In reality most children receive a lump of coal (candy coloured black with caramel) to acknowledge that no child is perfect and has their off days. 

Befana travels around Italy on a broomstick, carrying a sack or hamper full of sweets for the children. She enters the home via the chimney where at the bottom of which the family leave her a glass of wine and some snacks. 

So where does the idea of a Christmas witch come from? 

According to one legend Befana was approached by the three wise men a few days before the birth of Christ, and they asked her for directions. Although she didn’t know the way to the main event, as the best housekeeper in the village she asked them to stay over for the night. In gratitude they then asked her to join them on their journey to the baby Jesus. She declined as she had too much to do in her home, but later changed her mind. 

She packed a bag of baked goods, and a broom for the virgin mother to sweep the stable. She tried to catch up with the wise men but couldn’t find them so 2000 years later she is still flying around looking for baby Jesus. She leaves a gift for all good children as she believes Christ is in all children. 

Urbania, just east of Florence is thought to be the ‘home’ of Befana, even though she is part of Christmas festivities all over Italy. Every year in Urbania there is a Befana festival between the 2nd and 6th January where as many as 50,000 people attend, many dressed as the loveable Christmas witch. 

In Bavaria and Austria, Perchta or Bertha, is a lot less benign than Befana, and is more in line with Krampus. Perchta the Christmas witch enters homes throughout the twelve days of Christmas, especially on the twelfth night. She was able to identify which children had been good and leaves  them a little silver coin in a shoe or a pail. 

However, she was a bit more hardcore with the naughty kids and was particularly judgemental about whether the young girls had spun all their allotted flax by the twelfth night. With the naughty children, and lazy spinners Perchta gutted them, removed their internal organs and replaced them with pebbles and straw.

She roams about Bavaria with a group of Perchten – an army of servants who resemble Krampus as well as souls of unbaptised children to carry out the Wild Hunt. On the twelfth night if you hear any noises it could be Perchta and her merry Perchten and it is best to stay inside and hide under the bed.

In order to placate Perchta families leave food and drink for her but if you haven'y spun all your flax and have a messy house it may not cut much slack. 

I would love it if the UK had some more sinister Christmas traditions, or at least brought some back, like the Tudor Mummers for example. With Santa rewarding all good and naughty children, there is no punishment or threat for bad behaviour. Kids know they'll get gifts regardless. If you knew Krampus or Perchta was on their way if you were bad you may check your behaviour through the year.