Silent night can also be a spooky night: Though jolly St. Nicholas has long been a staple, the holiday season has historically had a sinister side across Europe. In pagan and other pre-Christian traditions, legends arose of mythical beings who emerged during the long nights around the solstice to dole out more extreme punishments to those who weren't on their best behavior. Here are stories of characters that have haunted Europeans for longer than America has been a country. #scarystories