Bewitching Gifts For Your Favorite Witch

The word "witch" means different things to different people, but to me it simply means someone who is fiercely independent, empowered, creates their own magic, and has a fierce respect for nature and the elements. Of course, I also must acknowledge that witchcraft is rooting in history and different cultures, with each culture having different variations of what "witch" means to them.

With that being said, I've rounded up a list of creators whose wares will wow anyone who is witchy AF, from those deeply rooted in the spiritual side to others who just like to dip their toes in the magical pool. Wherever they land, below you will find gifts that will help bring out the magic in anyone!

Art Inspired By La Befana, The Italian Christmas Witch

To me, La Befana is an underappreciated Christmas figure that should be just as popular as Krampus! Originating in Italy, La Befana, aka the Christmas Witch, is a legend thousands of years old. As the story goes, an older woman lived in a village that the Magi passed through on their journey to deliver gifts to the newborn Jesus Christ. Many people followed the Magi with their own gifts to deliver to the newborn messiah, but this woman did not join them as she was too busy with her housework. Once she realized her mistake, she ran out of her house with her broom and presents to try to catch up to the Magi, but it was too late. Ever since then on the eve of January 6th, the Epiphany, the woman who would become La Befana flies from house to house on her broomstick, delivering all the gifts she wasn't able to give to the newborn Jesus to good children.

Living in an Italian household, I grew up with this story and looked forward to La Befana's visits every year (as long as I had been good!). I love everything La Befana still, and hers is one of my favorite Christmas legends. In honor of La Befana, I've rounded up some artwork inspired by her from a variety of artists. I am so glad her name is becoming more and more recognized and love sharing her story!

Check out art inspired by La Befana below:

Have a Haunting Half-o-Ween and a Witchy Walpurgisnacht!

Today, April 30th, marks halfway to Halloween and Walpurgisnacht (aka Witches' Night aka Hexennacht). Walpurgisnacht is known as the "other Halloween", where the veil between the worlds separating known and unknown is thinnest, allowing all manner of spirits, witches, otherworldly creatures, demons, devils, and so forth to push through into our world.

Ancient tales of witches, devils, and spirits gathering high in the mountains on this night seems to have its roots in Germany. Brocken Peak in Germany's Harz Mountains has two rock formations called Devil's Pulpit (Teufelskanzel) and the Witches' Altar (Hexenaltar), where these legends originate from. Nearby the Brocken Peak is the Hexentanzplatz, which literally means Witches' Dance Floor, where many pre-Christian rituals were performed, including the rites of old Saxon cults honoring the forest and mountain gods and goddesses.

Witchy TV Shows to Stream for Walpurgisnacht

In past years, I've shared witch films to get you in the spirit of Witches' Night (check out those recommendations HERE and HERE), but this year I decided to turn my focus to the small screen. With the success of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina series as well as all things witchy gaining in popularity, I'm sure we all could use some bewitching shows to watch (or re-watch) in honor of Walpurgisnacht on April 30th (if you want to familiarize yourself with this celebratory witch holiday, read this post).

Below, I've rounded up witch-themed or witch-adjacent shows that you can stream on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Shudder (I've also added links to Amazon if you want to own the shows on Blu-ray or DVD), check them out:

Watch Now on Netflix: Diablero (2018)

In this Netflix series from Mexico, a young priest enlists the help of a demon hunter and a paranormal expert to search for a kidnapped girl in the underworld of Mexico City. The trailer made it look like a high-octane version of the Supernatural TV show, full of demons, car chases, fun characters, witchcraft, and action, so I was intrigued. As soon as I started watching, I was hooked!

31 Witch Songs To Listen To On Walpurgisnacht

Happy Walpurgisnacht and Halfway to Halloween! I've already shared 20 Witch Films to Watch for Walpurgisnacht, as well as 20 More Witch Films and ways to celebrate Halfway to Halloween, but I also created a playlist that features 31 songs about witches, witchcraft, or just have a witchy vibe. I've been listening to this mix non-stop and wanted to share it with you so you have a soundtrack for Walpurgisnight, or Night of the Witches! It's filled with witchhouse, goth, metal, and more - just don't expect to find any witch "classics" on my playlist!

Listen to the Spotify playlist "Night of the Witches" below:

20 More Witch Films to Watch for Walpurgisnacht

Tomorrow is Halfway to Halloween and Walpurgisnacht or Witches' Night! I can't believe it is already the end of April with only six months to go until Halloween, eeeeek! This month I have been in crunch mode at work, so I'm sorry to say I haven't had much time or energy to devote to anything else. However, I couldn't let Halfway to Halloween or Walpurgis Night pass without sharing something bewitching!

Since I haven't had much time to plan for an elaborate celebration, I figured the best way to celebrate Witches' Night and Halfway to Halloween is to watch a good ol' witch flick! Last year I posted about 20 of my favorite movies that featured witches and witchcraft, so why not 20 more? There have been some new witch films that have really blown me away, and some classics I didn't mention last year, so this is a perfect time of year to recommend these witchy flicks. Though the majority are horror films, there are a few family-friendly films, comedies, and even a romance or two. I wanted to recommend films for witches of all kinds!

The Cauldron Spirits and Brews in Buena Park, CA

After checking out Spook Show a few weekends ago, I realized I was close to The Cauldron Spirits and Brews, a new witch-themed restaurant and bar that opened up in Buena Park right across from Knott's Berry Farm. I couldn't turn down grabbing a few drinks in a spooky bar and I was stoked at the opportunity to finally check it out!

The bar and restaurant is described on their website as: "...a dark fairy tale witch-themed sanctuary for the ultimate sensory experience with unpretentious sophistication through a variety of fresh quality cocktails, local craft brews and familiar yet unexpected tastes presented with impeccable service in a comfortable, social atmosphere." 

Take a peek inside of this bewitching bar below:

The Enchantment Box - Hocus Pocus Edition

The Hocus Pocus edition of The Enchantment Box

The Enchantment Box is a new monthly subscription service that sends you a magical themed box full of goodies like cruelty-free makeup, vegan snacks, delightful decor, gorgeous jewelry, fun paper crafts, beautiful bath and beauty products, and other charming treats! Plus, all boxes are completely cruelty-free and vegan, yay! They contacted me recently to see if I would be interested in reviewing their October 2017 box, whose theme was Hocus Pocus. I really had to contain myself (because OF COURSE I WAS INTERESTED), as I was so excited about this box since Hocus Pocus is one of the best movies ever and one of my personal favorite Halloween movies!

I checked out some of their past boxes, whose themes included Marie Antoinette, Mystical Mermaid, and Secret Garden, which made me even more thrilled when I saw the fantastical fripperies that were tucked away in those boxes. I knew then that I was head-over-heels in LOVE and couldn't wait to check out their October 2017 box. See my step-by-step unboxing below!

Use Switch Witch to Help Kids Ditch Unhealthy Tricks for Treats This Halloween

Every kid should be able to go trick or treating, even if they aren't able to eat the candy they collect due to allergies or wanting to eat healthier. Now with this adorable Switch Witch, they can! The Switch Witch offers a new tradition that encourages kids to swap out Halloween candy for other fun things.

Spirit Halloween's Hocus Pocus Collection

Hocus Pocus at Spirit Halloween

I am so excited that Spirit Halloween is releasing an officially licensed line of Hocus Pocus merch this Halloween season! Hocus Pocus is one of my favorite Halloween movies (and probably one of my favorite movies of all time), and it has gained quite a cult following even though it was released way back in 1993 (wow, it's 24 years old!).

Most of the line is a little too glittery and cutesy for me, but I have fallen in love with some of the items they are selling this year! Check out my must-haves from Spirit Halloween's Hocus Pocus line below:

Watch Now on Netflix: The Worst Witch (2017)

Netflix recently released the TV series The Worst Witch, based off the series of books (said to be the inspiration behind the Harry Potter series) by Jill Murphy first published in 1974 and most well-known for the 1986 made-for-TV film starring a young Fairuza Balk and featuring an unforgettable Halloween musical number by Tim Curry. There are various other film and TV adaptations, but I've only seen the 1986 version, which has a sweet, quirky, and cheesy charm.

Halfway to Halloween + Happy Walpurgisnacht!

Happy April 30th, which not only marks Walpurgisnacht (aka Witches' Night aka Hexennacht) where the veil is thin and witches can be seen flying through the skies to their sabbats, but also marks the halfway point to Halloween - only six months to go until the best holiday!

If you haven't read any of my previous posts on Walpurgis, it is a holiday that was, and still is, celebrated in Germany where tales tell of witches taking to the skies on the way to the region's tallest peak, Brocken, to gather in dark celebration. In honor of these legends, people light bonfires to drive away evil spirits and welcome the arrival of spring with dancing, feasting and frolicking (very much like the pagan Beltane festival tomorrow, on May 1st). If you are interested in learning more about Witches' Night, I wrote more about it last year.

13 Ways to Celebrate Halfway to Halloween

This Sunday, April 30th marks the halfway point to Halloween as well as the celebration of Walpurgisnacht, or Witches' Night! I've already talked a lot about Walpurgis in previous posts, but I also wanted to highlight how excited I am that we are only six months away from my favorite holiday, Halloween!

I always get so pumped for Halloween this time of year that it is just natural to want to do something special to mark the halfway point! Last year I shared a list of ways to celebrate Halfway to Halloween, so this year I thought I would do it again to continue the tradition.

20 Witch Films to Watch on Walpurgisnacht

Walpurgisnacht, or Witches' Night, is nearly upon us and will arrive this Sunday, April 30th! You can read about the holiday and its traditions in past posts I've written about here and here! While traditional Walpurgis celebrations were used to ward off witches, nowadays witches are celebrated around this holiday.

It's neat to see how many more people in the United States have become aware of this witchy spring festival - I only just found out about it a few years ago and now I adore it since it not only celebrates witches but also marks the halfway point to Halloween, and what is more Halloweenie than witches?

There are lots of ways to celebrate Walpurgisnacht (if you are in Southern California, you don't want to miss Witches Night at Phantom Carriage Brewery - read about it here!), but if you want a low-key way to celebrate, watching witchy movies is perfect! And I've put together a list of 20 of my favorite movies featuring witches! They cover several genres, so they aren't all horror films, and of course this isn't an exhaustive list, just a few of my faves! Please feel free to add your own favorites in the comments section.

Here are 20 Witch Films to Watch on Walpurgisnacht:

Witch Emoji App

Thanks to Haute Macabre, I found out that there is a brand new WitchEmoji app from artist Pam Grossman! With Walpurgisnacht aka Witches' Night right around the corner, it seems like a perfect time to download this app, which comes with 80 different witchy emoji! Plus, I adore how WitchEmoji fully integrates into iMessage on iPhones and iPads, and, unlike apps like Goth Emoji (which I LOVE, btw!) where you copy/paste emoji into your text message, this one works with your iMessage to add to a text with just a touch (no copy/paste necessary). The app has so many creepy-cute images of witches, warlocks, moons, broomsticks, black cats, potions, spell books, symbols, goats, daggers, goblets, and many other witchy accessories, ensuring you will be able to text your coven with cuteness!

Just look how adorable these screen shots are:

Attend an Evening of Witches This Walpurgisnacht

[image source]

Walpurgisnacht (Witches' Night) usually occurs on April 30th (unless it's a leap year), and marks the halfway point to Halloween. Historically it was believed that on Walpurgisnacht the veil between worlds becomes thinner (just like Halloween), and witches were able to take to the skies and travel to their mountaintop sabbats. You can learn more about Walpurgisnacht from an article I wrote previously, and I am so thrilled that the good folks over at Death and The Maiden are celebrating it and allowing others to join in the fun with their Night of the Witches event!

The event will be held on Walpurgisnacht (April 30th) at Phantom Carriage Brewery in Carson, California. There will be death positive talks on the funeral industry from mortician Amber Carvaly as well as an illustrated talk on Walpurgisnacht from Sarah Chavez. Food and drink specials will be served from Phantom Carriage's taproom, and a very special screening of The Love Witch by Anna Biller will be shown.

The Witch's Christmas

The Witch's Christmas (1986 version)

I came across this adorable children's Christmas book recently called The Witch's Christmas by Norman Bridwell, the well-loved author of the Clifford the Big Red Dog series of children's books. The Witch's Christmas is about a witch that not only puts a fun Halloween spin on Christmas, but also saves Santa when he runs into some trouble on Christmas Eve.

The Witch's Christmas originally came out in 1970 and looks like it was re-illustrated and re-released in 1986. Both versions were illustrated by Bridwell, with the later version getting some color. I've included pages from both versions below.

Both versions look frightfully fun and our witch shares a lot of the Creepmas spirit, like making it rain black snow, creating a holiday wreath from bats, singing Creepmas carols with some monster friends, and decorating a Creepmas tree with skulls, bats, and spiders! Merry Hexmas indeed!

Check out some of the pages from both versions of The Witch's Christmas below:

Goth Gift Guide: Nefarious Non-Fiction for Curious Creeps

My idea of the perfect gift? BOOKS! I'd be happy buried beneath books, and while I really, really try to limit my collection these days due to space issues, I am finding it hard to resist adding the non-fiction books below to my personal Christmas wish list! There are books featuring hidden wonders from around the world, photographic collections of macabre items, recollections of 31 days of October spent in Salem, Victorian ways of death, haunted histories, personal art collections, and even a horror-inspired coloring book. These are all fairly new items, released just this year, and any of these are sure to make my fellow creeps happy!

Check out the nefarious non-fiction books I've selected for fellow spooklings below:

The Occult Activity Book Returns with Volume Two

The Occult Activity Book is back, and bigger and better than ever! The first volume was filled with wonderfully dark art and activities, and the second is packed with even more! In fact, this new volume has doubled in size and it is bristling with 52 pages of gore-geous artwork, eerie activities, gruesome games, and all sorts of fiendish fun! Where else can you immerse yourself in activities like Mad Libs-inspired incantations, building your own papercraft coven, solving the sexiest occult-themed crossword puzzle ever, mastering macabre mazes, learning about the Gilles de Rais, Ed and Lorraine Warren, Madame Blavatsky (and more) while coloring in their illustrations, testing your knowledge of the esoteric, all the while listening to a hand-crafted witchy playlist?