Mushrooms might not be top of mind this time of year, but some historians believe they may have sprouted several mainstream Christmas traditions. As Salon recently reported, the concept of Santa may have been inspired by indigenous Siberian and Northern European shamans who traveled around conducting healing ceremonies during the winter solstice using a type of hallucinogenic mushroom called amanita muscaria, or the fly agaric.

Sound too trippy to be true? Let’s look at the evidence found by historians. The red-and-white toadstool 'shrooms just so happen to thrive at the base of conifer trees, such as pine, spruce, and fir, where they look an awfully lot like today’s wrapped gifts.

They are also favored treats of native reindeer (although admittedly it’s unclear whether Rudolph preferred them). And since one of the effects of fly agaric ingestion is a feeling of flying, it’s not a stretch for anyone to have imagined these iconic animals experiencing a similar effect.

If you’re still not convinced (or at least intrigued), consider this: The 'shroomy shamans of yore are thought to have dressed in red and white clothing, traveled by reindeer-led sleds, and entered their guests’ homes through openings in the ceiling to circumvent doorways covered in snow—all of which sounds a lot like the most famous resident of the North Pole.

Not all historians agree on these facts, however, so while it’s difficult to prove just how many of today’s traditions were inspired by magic mushrooms, nothing says you can’t honor the holiday's rumored origins with a microdosed toast or a 'shroomy gift. And if you’re as fascinated by Santa’s psychedelic origin story as we are, prepare a cup of mushroom milk and cookies to settle in and learn more here.