Let’s talk about cryptids. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a cryptid is “a creature that is found in stories and that some people believe exists or say they have seen, but that has never been proven to exist.” What are you thinking of? Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, the Jersey Devil? These big names are the celebrities of cryptids, but I think there is a subset of cryptids lurking right within our own homes. Though we’d probably never define them that way, these creatures create mischief, bring rewards, and then disappear.
One such household cryptid, and perhaps the most destructive, visits for an entire month. The mischievous ones can create trouble for residents of the home, making messes, pulling pranks, and reporting on the family’s doings. Originally reported on by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell in their 2005 book, The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, Aebersold and Bell finally revealed to the world how Santa Claus (another cryptid) conducts surveillance in many homes. This army of small elves not only is alleged to report on the residents to the jolly good fellow up North, but it is claimed that they are imbued with their power by the very people they are spying on, the families that name and love them. Since Aebersold and Bell revealed the existence of the cryptid, households have begun to search for the elf’s hiding place each day, discovering the true antics that the elves can get into. Reports of Elves on the Shelf range widely, from naughty elves creating messes to creative elves leaving artful messages. I guess we all must hope we are being spied on by an elf with a good temperament.
While on the topic of mischievous household visitors, I would be remiss to skip over the leprechaun. This Irish fairy creature has a deep history but is most known for its treasure and mischief. Though a trapped leprechaun is seldom heard of, many modern homes claim proof of visits around St. Patrick’s Day with evidence found in cleverly devised leprechaun traps. The growing tradition of the leprechaun trap involves an inventive craft project, often exploiting the leprechaun’s love of gold in order to lure him into a trap. Successful families share that they have found evidence of the leprechaun’s visit the following morning. Such evidence includes chocolate coins, thank you notes, footprints, and green toilet water. Though no leprechaun seems to have been detained by these traps come morning, it’s hard to argue against the evidence left behind.
Perhaps one of the eeriest cryptids to visit your home is one that is most interested in your child’s discarded teeth. Is it the power hidden in the teeth of the young that draws this fairy into your home? There is a history of traditions around the world related to baby teeth. The idea of a “tooth-fee” is found in Viking texts, and multiple parts of the world have traditions of throwing baby teeth on the roof or offering them to small animals so adult teeth come in strong. This fairy is in fact willing to pay in cash for your child’s calcium-packed chompers. Is it a coincidence that this capitalist fairy was first spotted in the United States? Whatever its reasons, the Tooth Fairy is evidenced only by the money it leaves in exchange for teeth under pillows or in small boxes. This cryptid may even be part of a family. While the Tooth Fairy is often noted in places like the United States and England, other creatures like El Ratoncito Pérez (Perez the Mouse) or La Petite Souris (The Little Mouse) are alleged to make visits to homes in other parts of the world.
Speaking of mice, typically we don’t like visits from non-resident rodents but there is another that seems to be happily allowed into homes in the US and Europe. Rumors of a hare delivering painted eggs began in Germany, and it is thought that this hare hitched a ride with German immigrants to the US. Somehow this fleet of hares, rabbits, or bunnies has synchronized their household invasions to correspond with the Christian holiday of Easter. Choosing a holiday in spring, during a time of renewal, was perhaps influenced by their understanding of some of the centuries of symbolism and traditions surrounding hares, rabbits, and eggs, both in Christianity and outside of it. They may even be harkening back to their relationship to a Germanic goddess Ēostre. Some scholars propose that her symbol was the hare, and her name and festival were adapted into the Christian Easter. These days, the creatures visit and hide colored plastic eggs containing prizes or treats around houses and yards. Some families imitate these colored eggs by decorating eggs of their own. Though its motive is unclear, the so-called Easter Bunny seems to be a largely benevolent creature and even makes appearances at shopping centers in the spring to greet children.
My hope in writing this report is to caution the reader of the cryptids that may be invading their home and to argue that they are most appropriately categorized as cryptids. While it can be nerve-racking to learn of mysterious entities, I hope I have eased readers’ anxieties with examples of how these creatures have enabled playful experiences or provided rewards in return for their intrusions. In fact, many people look forward to their visits, and so I hope that the reader too can embrace their unseen guests and enjoy the traditions that have formed around them.