I do not usually read the newspaper anymore; nor do I watch mainstream news programming. I have a vague feeling that one of the original reasons for me turning away from traditional news media was the constant focus on lurid sensationalism, fear mongering, and general bad news. Yet, I have been spending plenty of time in the Chronicling America project. Do news papers now-a-days have articles on holiday customs around the world? Do they have suggestions for your next Halloween party, and serialized stories about plucky youngsters in a fairyland adventure? ‘Cause that might get me back to reading newspapers.

Anyway, La Befana is the Christmas witch of Italy (wikipedia). This article from the Midland Journal is just one variation of her legend. Like an old fashioned Santa Claus, she doles out presents and punishment as appropriate.

La Befana is my new favorite winter holiday figure; somehow it is not surprising that across the world, Italy would be the country to have a benevolent winter holiday witch. Over at GoEuro there is a tidy little article on Christmas traditions around the world.

Aaaaaaaaaand, Spain has a seriously strange and hilarious tradition of feeding a log with a painted face until Christmas and then children beating all the ‘poo’ (presents) out of it on Christmas eve. I kind of want to see the kids in action. I think I wouldn’t be able to stop laughing.