The secular side of Christmas descended from midwinter celebrations common in the far northern parts of Eurasia. Some of these traditions are pretty strange, like the story of Santa Claus. A clue to the origins of the jolly old elf may be found in the mushrooms of Lapland. (via The Marginalian)
You want to talk weird Christmas stories? I recommend "The Hogfather" by the late Terry Pratchett. While it's not about Christmas as such, the Hogfather is the Discworld analog of 'Santa Claus', and the bits and pieces having to do with his origin are well worth the read.
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Where does the mushroom become Saint Nicholas?
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