N※N

WVCryptid Christmas: West Virginia's New Folklore Holiday

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/3 .. istmas-west-virginia-s-new-folklore-holiday.html
  Published in House and Home on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 1:51 GMT by The Herald-Dispatch

Have Yourself a WV Cryptid Christmas

West Virginia’s green mountains have long been a playground for folklore. From the Mothman of Point Point to the Bigfoot stories that echo through the Allegheny ridges, the state’s forested backdrop has produced a whole genre of “cryptid” legends that are as rich as the coal seams that have fueled its history. In 2022, a local journalist and cryptid enthusiast turned that tradition on its head, creating a new holiday ritual that has since taken root in the communities of Greenbrier County and beyond: WVCryptid Christmas.

A New Tradition Born in the Woodlands

The idea began in a small logging camp near Romney, where longtime ranger Jack “Slick” Morgan first heard whispers of a creature he called the “WVCryptid.” According to Morgan, the WVCryptid is a large, bird‑like creature that roams the deep valleys of the state, standing upright, possessing a feathered plumage and a distinctive set of glowing eyes that are said to appear at dusk. Morgan’s description—half raven, half owl—has earned the creature a place alongside the more famous Mothman.

The tradition that evolved from Morgan’s tale started as a quirky experiment. He invited friends to leave a homemade gingerbread cookie and a cup of hot cocoa in a hollow at the edge of the forest on Christmas Eve. The next morning, he claimed to find a small stone carved in the shape of a feather. He posted the story online in an article that eventually appeared in the Herald‑Dispatch’s Features/Entertainment section. What began as a light‑hearted post quickly grew into a winter holiday ritual embraced by residents of the region.

The article’s headline—“Have Yourself a WV Cryptid Christmas”—played on the old holiday saying, “Have yourself a merry little Christmas,” while also nodding to the state's love of cryptid lore. The piece details how the ritual has evolved into a community celebration, complete with a holiday market, a “cryptid hunt” scavenger hunt, and a “cryptid‑centric” parade in the town of Alderson.

The WVCryptid’s Place in West Virginia Folklore

The article contextualizes the WVCryptid within West Virginia’s broader tradition of cryptid storytelling. A link to the Mothman Museum in Point Point is embedded, providing a deeper dive into how Mothman sightings have influenced local culture. The writer compares the two creatures, noting that while the Mothman is typically described as a winged humanoid, the WVCryptid’s feathered features and nocturnal habits make it a distinct entity in the cryptid lexicon.

Readers are also directed to a local blog about Bigfoot sightings in the Appalachian range. The blogger—who writes under the name “ForestFoot”—offers a series of annotated photographs and testimony, further illustrating the region’s penchant for the mysterious. These references help the Herald‑Dispatch reader grasp how the WVCryptid sits comfortably alongside other cryptids that have become part of West Virginia’s cultural identity.

The Christmas Celebration

According to the article, the WVCryptid Christmas celebration has several key components:

1. Cookie‑and‑Cocoa Night – Families and friends gather at local parks and community centers to leave out gingerbread cookies and cups of hot chocolate for the WVCryptid. The tradition is said to bring good luck for the following year. “It’s like leaving a note for Santa, but this time you’re writing to a creature that lives in the woods,” explains Lily Kincaid, a local school teacher who organizes the nightly cookie‑drops.

2. Cryptid Hunt – Children and adults take part in a scavenger hunt that involves solving riddles about cryptid lore. The clues lead to hidden “cryptid” ornaments and small wooden carvings that participants can keep as tokens of the evening. “It’s an engaging way to teach kids about our state’s rich storytelling traditions,” Kincaid says.

3. Parade and Market – On the following Sunday, the town of Alderson hosts a parade featuring floats that depict various cryptids—Mothman, Bigfoot, the WVCryptid, and even the more fantastical Wendigo. Local artisans sell holiday crafts, food, and cryptid-themed ornaments. Vendors often include carved wooden heads of the WVCryptid, sold as “souvenirs of the woods.”

4. The “Gift Exchange” – The highlight of the celebration is a gift exchange where each participant anonymously leaves a small gift (a toy, a knitted mitten, a piece of candy) at a central “cryptid station” and receives a mystery token in return. “It’s a reminder that even if you’re not sure who’s on the other side of the forest, the holiday spirit is universal,” explains Kincaid.

The article also mentions how the WVCryptid tradition has inspired a local nonprofit that uses the event to raise funds for forest conservation. “The WVCryptid is a symbol of the forest’s guardianship,” says nonprofit director, Mark Thompson. “The money raised during the event goes toward trail maintenance and wildlife protection programs.”

Why This Tradition Matters

Beyond the festive atmosphere, the Herald‑Dispatch article argues that WVCryptid Christmas is an act of community storytelling that preserves the state’s oral traditions. The tradition encourages young people to engage with the forest, fostering environmental stewardship. By weaving folklore into a holiday, the community keeps the mystery alive while also creating tangible, modern celebrations.

For visitors, the article offers practical tips: come prepared with a cookie, bring a reusable mug for the cocoa, and wear comfortable shoes for the forest walks. If you happen to be in Alderson on the first weekend of December, the Herald‑Dispatch encourages you to participate—whether you’re a believer in cryptids or simply a holiday enthusiast, you’ll find a warm, welcoming community that welcomes anyone who wants to share in the magic.

A Lasting Legacy

The article concludes by noting that while the WVCryptid’s existence remains unverified by science, its cultural impact is undeniably real. The tradition is a reminder that folklore can adapt to contemporary times, providing a bridge between the past and the present. “Every year, as we light the first candle in the WVCryptid station, we’re not just celebrating a legend,” Kincaid says. “We’re celebrating the stories that connect us to each other and to the world around us.”

With its quirky blend of cryptid mythology and holiday joy, WVCryptid Christmas has become a unique highlight of the West Virginia winter calendar. Whether you’re a cryptid skeptic, a folklore scholar, or a holiday‑lover, it’s an event that invites you to step into the woods, leave a cookie, and perhaps, just perhaps, hear a whisper of a feathered friend beneath the pine branches.