The Christmas Werewolf Scare

In the historic forests of the Vosges mountains, old folklore warned that the winter solstice was a highly dangerous time for transformations. Locals believed that men who had committed crimes or skipped church during the year would be turned into loups-garous (werewolves) specifically on Christmas Eve. To protect themselves from these festive beasts, villagers would paint crosses in tar on their stable doors and throw handfuls of salt into the fireplace.