What is the origin of giving coal on Christmas? Was it always uncommon, or did it experience a decline?

by coloncalamity

While looking to see if this question had already been asked, I did find out about Krampus, which as an American I had never heard of before. This question is really just a series of questions about the practice of giving coal on Christmas.

  • Was giving coal already a part of the pagan winter solstice celebrations which were assimilated into Christianity? Was it part of some, but not others?
  • According to the only question I could find in a search on this subject, Krampus is still practiced in some countries. Did it only ever exist in German-speaking places (as is my understanding), or was it formerly common in other Christian areas? Or presently Christian areas before their conversion, when they were pagan?
  • And lastly... why coal?
ctesibius

Coal is also a feature of "first footing", a Scottish celebration of Hogmanay (the new year). However whether it is a positive or negative gift depends on the area. Hogmanay is almost certainly pre-Christian (for the area). Not sure where that gets us!