Who is nikolaus in germany

Nikolaus fills them up with small gifts, some fruit and candy. Kids in Germany love the Nikolaustag and it is often a big event in schools and kindergarten as well as on the Christmas markets. Tags: Incense smokers , Nikolaus , nutcrackers , Traditions. This entry was posted on Thursday, December 4th, at pm and is filed under Incense Smokers , Nutcracker. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2. Both comments and pings are currently closed. Erzgebirge-Palace is rated 4.

Skip to content [2] German traditional Gifts - handmade wooden art from the Erzgebirge in Germany. In some regions, there are other names for both Nikolaus and Krampus Knecht Ruprecht in northern Germany. As early as , St. Nicholas brought gifts on Dec. In Alpine Europe Krampus is still a scary, devil-like figure.

The Krampuslauf custom found in Austria and Bavaria also happens around December 5 or 6, but it also can take place at various times during November or December, depending on the community. In some places today, children still leave their shoes by the window or the door on the night of Dec. They awaken the next day Dec. This is similar to the American Santa Claus custom, although the dates are different. Also similar to American custom, the children may leave a wish list for Nikolaus to pass on to the Weihnachtsmann Father Christmas or the Christkind for Christmas.

Heiligabend — Dezember Christmas Eve is now the most important day of the German celebration. Families with young children often keep the living room or other room closed off, revealing the Christmas tree to the excited youngsters only at the last minute. The decorated Tannenbaum is the center of the Bescherung , the exchanging of gifts, which takes place on Christmas Eve, either before or after dinner. Neither Santa Claus nor St. Nicholas brings children their gifts for Christmas.

In religious families, there also may be readings of Christmas-related passages from the Bible. Knecht Ruprecht is a term widely used in many parts of Germany. In Austria and Bavaria he is known as Krampus. Also called rauer Percht and many other names, Knecht Ruprecht is the anti-Santa escort, who punishes bad children. Nowadays he is often a more kind, less menancing character, but in parts of Austria and Bavaria, Krampus remains a rather nasty figure.

Wotan, aka Percht, ruled over battles, fate, fertility and the winds. When Christianity came to Germany, St. Nicholas was introduced, but he was accompanied by the Germanic Knecht Ruprecht. Today both can be seen at parties and festivities around December 6. It is said that he borrowed at least a couple of features from the Palatine Pelznickel he knew as a child in creating the image of the American Santa Claus — the fur trim and boots. He carries a sack full of apples and nuts that he gives to the children.

In various areas of the Odenwald, Pelznickel also goes by the names of Benznickel , Strohnickel , and Storrnickel. The term used to be confined mostly to the northern and mostly Protestant areas of Germany, but has spread across the country in recent years. You can even rent a Weihnachtsmann in most larger German cities. Nicholas, or Santa Claus. The child would get a gift for doing well.

Knecht Ruprect is a more sinister figure, who carried a sack and a switch. Children who were bad could be given a switch, or taken away in the sack. To prepare for the visit, children would tidy their rooms and clean their toys. Shoes would be polished, and set out by the door or on a windowsill. Some kids even left a bit of hay or straw for St. The most famous tradition on St. Nicholas Day is that little kids put their polished shoes or socks outside the door or window, and at night St.

Nicholas fills them with little gifts.