Funny Gifts for Christmas Folklore Lovers
The best gift for someone who loves Christmas folklore is a shirt with a creature from the old stories. Honeyman Tees shows Krampus, the Yule Cat, the tomte (a Scandinavian Christmas gnome), Santa's Wife, a gingerbread man and more as cute chibi storybook-watercolor characters with a speech-bubble joke, and each design includes the real folklore behind it. They suit folklore fans, history and English teachers, librarians and anyone who likes a Christmas gift with a story. Every shirt is printed to order, with production taking 3-10 days, and ships free to US addresses.
Santa's Wife T-shirt
“I run the workshop. He gets the credit.”
Santa's wife entered the Christmas story in 19th-century American stories and poems, and she is often pictured running the North Pole workshop while Santa gets the spotlight on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Elf T-shirt
“Not short. Seasonally compact.”
Christmas elves became Santa's workshop helpers in 19th-century American stories and illustrations, and they have been small but mighty toymakers ever since.
Krampus T-shirt
“Naughty list? I'll take it from here.”
In Alpine folklore, Krampus visits on December 5, the night before Saint Nicholas Day, to deal with the naughty children while Saint Nicholas rewards the good ones.
Santa T-shirt
“I know who's been naughty.”
In 19th-century American stories and poems, Santa kept careful track of which children had been good and which had been naughty.
Santa T-shirt
“I know who's been naughty.”
In 19th-century American stories and poems, Santa kept careful track of which children had been good and which had been naughty.
Snowman T-shirt
“Chill. It's just a phase.”
Melting is a phase change: when snow warms past 32 degrees F (0 degrees C), solid ice turns into liquid water. Every snowman is just going through a phase.
Nativity T-shirt
The Gospel of Luke tells how Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them at the inn (Luke 2:7).
Three Wise Men T-shirt
“We followed a star. No map app.”
The Gospel of Matthew tells of wise men from the East who followed a star to Bethlehem and offered the Child gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:1-11). The Church celebrates their visit at the Feast of the Epiphany.
Yule Cat T-shirt
“New socks or a new book. Your choice.”
In Icelandic folklore, the Yule Cat prowls at Christmas looking for anyone who didn't get new clothes. Iceland also loves giving books on Christmas Eve, a tradition known as the Christmas Book Flood.
Runaway Gingerbread Man T-shirt
“Can't catch me. Cardio is my thing.”
The tale of a runaway gingerbread boy who outruns everyone chasing him was printed in an American children's magazine in 1875, and he has been sprinting out of ovens ever since.
Tomte T-shirt
“Leave the porridge. Nobody gets hurt.”
In Scandinavian folklore, the tomte guards the farm and expects a bowl of warm porridge with butter on Christmas Eve, and a tomte who gets left out can cause real trouble.
Reading Santa T-shirt
“Ho ho hold on. Chapter ending.”
The 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" describes Santa as "a right jolly old elf" with a little round belly, and it never shows him with a book. We figure someone who visits every house in one night has earned a quiet chapter first.
Christmas Goose T-shirt
“Plot twist: I'm not dinner.”
In Stave Three of Charles Dickens's 1843 A Christmas Carol, the Cratchit family's Christmas dinner is a roast goose, and with apple sauce and mashed potatoes it feeds the whole family. Roast goose was a traditional English Christmas dinner for generations. This goose has other plans.
Mouse King T-shirt
“Seven heads. Zero impulse control.”
In E.T.A. Hoffmann's 1816 Christmas story, the Mouse King has seven heads, each with its own crown; many later stage versions give him just one.
