Not even a creature was stirring...

except for a spider (or two), at least that is the story in the Ukraine.  Celebrated on January 7th, spider webs and ornate spiders can be found on Christmas trees through out Ukraine and parts of Germany.  The story goes that a widow and her children spent the year growing their own Christmas tree from a pinecone due to lack of money to purchase one.  

'Twas the night before Christmas and the children were in a panic and crying because of the lack of decorations to decorate their tree.  

Luckily, nearby spiders heard their cries and when the family slept, the spiders decorated the tree with freshly spun webs.

Upon waking Christmas day, the children were delighted to see their tree adorned with the most beautiful shimmery webs that easily made their tree as beautiful as any other tree in the Ukraine.