The Belsnickel (or Pelznickel) is a traditional, often gruff, Christmas figure from southwestern German folklore (Palatinate/Rhine region) and Pennsylvania Dutch culture. A fur-clad, masked figure, he visits children before Christmas, rewarding the good with treats and punishing naughty children with a switch or stick.
Nick and Krampus — in fact, the name Belsnickel comes from the German word “bels,” which translates to fur, and “nickel,” referring to St. Nicholas. Belsnickel covers his face with coal and wears animal furs with large deer horns, and he visits children in late December to ask them if they have been bad or good.
People might see a certain resemblance between the Belsnickel and that other Germanic folklore figure, the Krampus. But the Krampus is more of a pagan, demonic creature with horns and long claws, While the Belsnickel is decidedly human. (If he's wearing horns or antlers, it's because they're attached to his hat.)
Amongst the Pennsylvania Germans, Belsnickel is the character who visits homes prior to Christmas to check up on the behavior of the children. The traditional Belsnickel showed up at houses 1–2 weeks before Christmas and "often created fright because he always knew exactly which of the children misbehaved".
What is the difference between Santa Claus and Belsnickel?
Belsnickel traditionally dressed in furs (or sometimes rags, depending on the area) and carried a switch (a small wooden whip). Unlike Santa Claus—who children never saw—Belsnickel made his presence known when he rapped on the windows and/or doors of German homes a couple of weeks before Christmas.
In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas came to be known as Sinterklaas: a tall and skinny man who wears a red garment, carries a scepter with him and has a bishop's hat on that resembles depictions of the historical Saint Nicholas. There are no flying sleighs, reindeers or mystical home in the North Pole for Sinterklaas.
The belsnickel tradition was very popular during the 19th century. It even survived in places until the early 20th century but seems to have merged with Santa Claus as the years have gone by. Here at Quiet Valley, we keep the Belsnickel tradition alive during our Old Time Christmas celebration.
The term Weihnachtsmann is a very generic German term for Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. The German Weihnachtsmann is a fairly recent Christmas tradition having little if any religious or folkloric background.
For most children in The Netherlands, the most important day during December is 5th December, when Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas) brings them their presents! St. Nicholas' Day is on the 6th December, but in The Netherlands, the major celebrations are held on the 5th December, St.
He represented the wild spirit of winter half man, half myth bridging the domestic hearth and the untamed forest beyond. The very name Belsnickel likely derives from Pelz-Nickel, “Furry Nicholas”, a nod to his ragged animal skins and his association with Saint Nicholas himself.
Towards the end of the century, a popular resurgence of Krampus celebrations occurred and continues today. The Krampus tradition is being revived in Bavaria as well, along with a local artistic tradition of hand-carved wooden masks.
Saint Nicholas, aka Santa Claus, was born circa 280 in Patara, Lycia, an area that is part of present-day Turkey. He lost both of his parents as a young man and reportedly used his inheritance to help the poor and sick. A devout Christian, he later served as bishop of Myra, a city that is now called Demre.
Traditionally, on Heiligabend (Christmas Eve) in Germany, a simple meal will be prepared and served before or after the Bescherung ("time for exchanging gifts"), in contrast to the big meal on Christmas Day.
Krampus was banned at various times by authorities, including the Catholic Church and fascist governments in 20th-century Austria, because his devilish appearance and menacing customs were seen as too scary for children, too pagan, or linked to socialism, with officials fearing the tradition harmed children's mental health and promoted devil worship. While suppressed, the tradition survived and has seen a major resurgence as an alternative, edgier holiday figure.
Sinterklaas (Dutch: [ˌsɪntərˈklaːs]) or Sint-Nicolaas ( Dutch: [sɪnt ˈnikoːlaːs]) is a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children.
In a country of farmers and long walks between villages, one Christmas day wasn't enough to pray, travel, visit family, and return safely. So people took another day — long before it was officially allowed. By the 19th century, the tradition was too ingrained to ignore.
Prettige kerstdagen is the most common way. Fijne kerstdagen or fijne feestdagen is also fine. Zalig kerstfeest if you're Catholic and want to emphasize that.
This image originated in the United States during the 19th century, after Dutch settlers brought the legend of Sinterklaas ("Saint Nicholas") to 17th-century New Amsterdam (present-day New York City).
Instead, Germans simply talk about der zweite Weihnachtstag or der 26. Dezember, and they mean something much quieter and more reflective than the British Boxing Day.
They note that "Santa" is an anagram of "Satan," and say that Santa eclipses Jesus, or worse, makes children skeptical of God when they become suspicious about Santa. They also worry about losing their children's trust by propagating something their children will eventually discover isn't true.
Lebkuchen — often called German “gingerbread” — are richly spiced holiday cookies made with nuts, candied fruits, and warm baking spices. These festive treats are among the most popular sweets of the Christmas season, cherished for their chewy, fragrant texture and deep, cozy flavor.
