9. The Boys from Yule
Where: Iceland
Cost: A potato or gifts
Children in Iceland always remember to place a shoe on top of their windowsill between December 12 and December 23. Magical creatures from Icelandic mythology known as “Yule Lads” descend from the mountains while they sleep and put presents in their shoes.
The Yule Lads on Pinterest and Buzzfeed
That is, only if you behave well. When misbehaving children awaken in the morning, they receive a potato (formerly, misbehaving children received worse penalties, but the legend has been diluted over time).