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==Other Traditions Around the World==
Mulled wines are popular in many European countries around Christmas, including Glühwein in Germany. The Romans brought wine with them in much of Europe and this tradition influenced Medieval cultures that began to brew spices within their wines. They also heated wines during winter to keep people warm and with Christmas being in a cold month, the use of mulled wines began to be associated as Christmas drinks in Medieval cultures at least by the 14th century.
Krampus is a mythical figure portrayed often in the Christmas period as a horned animal that punishes children for misbehaving. It is used still in Central European cultures such as Austria. In many cases, he is displayed as someone similar to the devil. The symbolism and story go back to pre-Christian traditions of a creature punishing people for misdeeds, which was then subsequently kept and used in the Christmas story of a creature punishing children.
The Yule Lads is a popular story that may derive from ancient folklore in Iceland and northern Europe. The story tells of either fun-loving or sometimes mischievous young men who go around pulling pranks on people. In the 1930s, the Yule Lads were made popular again as part of the Christmas time tradition in Iceland.
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