Goblin Gifting: A History
The end of the year is a time for celebration, but also grief and fear
– as the cold sets in and the frost covers everything, there is little cause for
celebration. In certain towns in Golarion, though, one way that they combine
these feelings is Goblin Gifting.
Goblin Gifting is specifically aimed at children, and is a traditional activity
rooted in the well-deserved fear goblins inspire in the population. In areas where
goblins run rampant, families and whole communities may participate in Goblin
Gifting to teach their children valuable skills, and something to look forward to
(The tradition goes hand in hand with Night of the Pale on Kuthona 30th in most
areas).
Toy-sized goblin heads are constructed from green dyed wool, and often
have gaping mouths. Glass, beads or bright buttons serve as the eyes for the
little ornaments which also share the oversized ears of a goblin. The mouth is stuffed with taffy, candied fruits or other winter treats.
The goblin gifts are then hung in fir trees throughout town. In this exercise
of wariness and perception, children are not to go picking up goblin gifts they
find – the children must describe the location to an adult with as many details as
possible, and if the adult can follow the child’s directions, the child receives all
the sweets inside the goblin as a reward.
After all goblins have been retrieved, the toys are burned in a celebratory
bonfire, often as part of the town’s pre-Night of the Pale festivities.
You can download the pattern for free HERE, and hook it on Ravelry HERE.
Go further on for the pattern in text form!