CHICAGO — The jump from Halloween to Christmas may seem abrupt, but for spooky enthusiasts, it’s an opportunity to blend the best of both worlds.
Let’s take a look at what Creepmas is all about.
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What is Creepmas?
Creepmas, which also goes by Hexmas, Spookmas, Goth Christmas, Creepy Christmas or Spooky Christmas, is a mashup holiday that merges all the creepiness of Halloween with the elegance and magic of the holiday season. It’s not celebrated on one particular day, but during the entire month of December. For those really into the winter spirit, celebrations start the moment Halloween ends on Nov. 1.
Creepmas.com, a website dedicated to the crossover holiday, said Creepmas was born around 2011 as a response to the frustratingly early retail shift from Halloween to Christmas. Today, it’s more than just a rebellion against hasty holiday decor transitions; it’s a fun celebration, a fusion of beloved holidays, akin to the magical crossover seen in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Creepmas highlights the similarities between Halloween and Christmas across various cultures, some with centuries-old traditions.
Who is Krampus?
You can’t discuss Creepmas without bringing up the horned holiday devil himself. Krampus, the evil spirit who punishes misbehaving children on Krampusnacht, often makes an appearance on Spooky Instagram.
Krampusnacht is celebrated on Dec. 5 in Germany and other parts of Europe. While the celebration isn’t common in the U.S., it’s worth noting a bar in Chicago hosts a Krampus pop-up in December for families to come celebrate (and drink some beer).
Many Halloween-all-year artists incorporate Krampus into their Creepmas products, which isn’t something you see much in mainstream stores. Some artists make him look menacing and scary, while others take a cuter approach. Either way, they’re all increasing his popularity.
Spooky Cat Press is the first spooky store that comes to mind when it comes to Krampus products as they offer many different items featuring him — my personal favorite being the holiday gift wrap.
How do you celebrate Creepmas?
The mashup holiday evokes images of black sparkly Christmas trees, ghosts sporting Santa hats, and a palette dominated by black, red and white. Much like other crossover holidays, Creepmas doesn’t have rigid rules – fans of this unique fusion are free to start their own traditions. But typically, the three main colors are incorporated into decor and clothing.
Personally, I enjoy adding a Santa hat to my giant jack-o’-lantern and rocking my “Have Yourself A Spooky Little Christmas” sweater throughout December. I also have a sweater of Ghostface in a Santa hat that I really enjoy wearing. But mostly I just carry around my pumpkin purse to any Christmas events I go to to add a little Halloween magic to Christmas.
Target recently launched a line of spooky Creepmas decor — without specifically labeling it as such. But people on Spooky Instagram found it right away. Looks like our spooky little holiday is finally entering the mainstream.
Take a look at how some Halloween lovers are celebrating Creepmas:
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