Greek Christmas folklore calls its mischievous seasonal goblins kallikantzaroi.
Kallikantzaroi are supernatural beings in Greek and southeastern European folklore. They are traditionally said to emerge from underground during the Twelve Days of Christmas, the period from Christmas to Epiphany. Stories describe them as troublesome creatures that enter homes, cause disorder and play pranks.
Folk practices for protecting a household varied by region. People might keep a fire burning, mark entrances with protective signs or use fragrant plants and other household measures. These customs belong to folklore rather than official Christian doctrine, and modern Greek families observe them in different ways.
The singular form is kallikantzaros, while kallikantzaroi is the plural commonly used for the group. They are sometimes loosely translated as goblins, but the Greek tradition has its own regional stories and does not exactly match the goblins of English folklore.