Creature Feature Friday: Belsnickel, the Cantankerous Christmas Gift-Bringer
Impish or admirable? Cheer or fear? If you’re a diehard fan of the legendary show The Office, then 1) there’s a good chance we can be best friends, and 2) you’ve definitely heard of the cantankerous Yuletide folk figure known as Belsnickel. So just who is this grim, grimy Christmas legend?
1) Belsnickel is a grumpy figure of Christmas folklore who originated in southwestern Germany, and was brought to Pennsylvania in the early 1800s, when German immigrants made their home in the state. Though he is predominantly known as a Pennsylvania German Christmas character, you can also find Belsnickel traditions in German communities in Maryland, Indiana, Canada, Brazil, and more.
2) While Santa Claus is Christmastime’s jolly, happy soul and creepy Krampus the Christmas demon brings the Yuletide terror, Belsnickel falls somewhere in between the cheer and the fear. In the words of Jim Halpert, “he’s kind of like Santa, except dirty, and worse.” Traditionally, Belsnickel appears dressed in tattered clothes topped with many animal furs, and sometimes adorns himself with leaves, antlers, and a weird mask for good measure. Although he does not drag children away in a sack a la Krampus , the crotchety Belsnickel does serve as a cautionary tale to keep kids on their best behavior…
3) Making his arrival one to two weeks before St. Nick comes to town, Belsnickel visits the homes in his cultural community to test the naughtiness and niceness of the local children. When he arrives, he taps on windows and doors with his stick, quizzing children about their behavior or expecting them to sing him a song. His pockets and bag laden with treats, he will then toss candies and cakes on the floor and wait for the children to react (…have we discovered the origin of the ‘five-second rule’?). Well-behaved kids know to wait patiently in order to be rewarded with these treats; on the other hand, greedy children who dive to take the floor bounty are given some swift whacks with Belsnickel’s legendary switch. With any luck, Belsnickel’s visit - and subsequent punishment - is enough to turn these naughty children around before Santa Claus comes in the next few weeks!
4) The name Belsnickel is a compilation of the German word “bels,” which translates into fur, and “nickel,” a reference to Belsnickel’s counterpart, St. Nicholas. Variations of the name include Kriskinkle, Beltznickle, and Pelsnichol.
5) Whether he is feared for his switchy punishments or loved for his candied treats, Belsnickel continues to be a popular part of Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, with Belsnickel celebrations held in Pennsylvania at Kutztown, Lancaster, and, of course, Dunder Mifflin, just to name a few - and he is still an admonishing figure for many children in certain parts of Europe. So if you hear a cranky tapping at your window before Christmas this year, try to be on your best behavior, because Belsnickel is finally nigh!
For more creepy Christmas traditions, read about Krampus the Christmas Demon! What is your favorite Christmas tale?
