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Julebukking ( Gå julebukk) is a Christmas tradition of Scandinavian origin. Julebukk (Dictionary of American Regional English) Retrieved 14 November 2012
Between Christmas and New Year's Day, people wearing face masks and costumes ( Julebukkers) would go door to door, where neighbourhood receiving them attempt to identify who is under the disguise. In one version of Julebukking, people go from door to door singing Christmas songs. After they have sung, they are usually awarded with candy. Another tradition requires that at least one person from the visited household join the band of Julebukkers and continue to the next household. Jul (Store norske leksikon) Retrieved 14 November 2012
In certain aspects, the custom resembled the modern-day tradition of Halloween trick-or-treating. Julebukking or Christmas Fooling Retrieved 5 August 2013 Vernon county museum notes: Julebukking a tradition in Norwegian communities Retrieved 5 August 2013 Julebukkers will often disguise their voices and body language to further the Deception. Offering people holiday treats and something to drink is customary. Once identities are known and the food is eaten, the Julebukkers continue to the next home. Julebukk (Juleleker) Retrieved 14 November 2013
Christian missionaries modified the tradition and divorced its meaning from Paganism. The Yule Goat became one of the oldest Scandinavian and Northern European Yule and Christmas symbols and traditions. In Scandinavia, the figure of the Yule Goat remains a common Christmas ornament. It is often made out of straw, has a red ribbon around its neck, and is found under the Christmas tree. Christmas in Norway (Christmas Traditions Around the World) Retrieved 14 November 2012
German and Scandinavian immigrants brought this tradition to America. Burning the Christmas Goat by Alaska Dispatch Retrieved 5 August 2013 Though the practice of Julebukking may be dying out in Europe, it can still be observed on occasion in rural communities in America with large populations of people of descent, such as in Petersburg, Alaska, Ketchikan, Alaska and Rushford, Minnesota. Julebukking, also known as Christmas fooling (Hendricks, MN) Retrieved 14 November 2012 The tradition previously existed in all the Nordic countries.
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