Santa Claus checks his list to see if you've been nice, but what happens if you are naughty?
In the Alpine area of Europe, Krampus comes to town.
About 200 years ago, St. Nick’s job was split - while the jolly fat man delivered presents, an evil, goat-horned spirit, the Krampus, brought bad dreams and beatings to the boys and girls of Austria, southern Germany, Switzerland, northern Italy. December 5 is Krampus Fest, and like most holidays in Europe, becomes an excuse for small towns in the countryside (where Krampus is more popular) to get together and drink their brains out.
Who else hangs with St. Nick?
White Horse
In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas arrives on a large white horse, a schimmel, which he rides around the countryside to visit schools and homes. Sometimes a white horse is also with St. Nicholas in Belgium, Germany and Poland.
Donkey
In France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, St. Nicholas leads a donkey laden with baskets full of treats and toys for children.
Angels
They may be the saint's helpers in Belgium, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, and Austria. Sometimes they keep the record of children's behavior in St. Nicholas' large book; they may carry the book as St. Nicholas delivers gifts. In Czech and Slovak tradition, the angel is there to protect children from the devil.
Devil
In Czech and Slovak traditions, a shaggy furred devil with horns, tail, and a long red tongue comes along with Saint Nicholas. He has a staff to threaten punishment. However, he is chained and an angel is there to protect the children.
Ruprecht
AKA Knecht Ruprecht, is St. Nicholas' most familiar attendant in Germany. He is a servant and helper whose face is sooty from going down chimneys leaving children's treats. He carries the sack of presents and a rod for disobedient children. "Just wait until Ruprecht comes" is still a common threat in German homes. Originally a farm hand, Ruprecht is known as Hanstrapp or Rupelz in the French region of Alsace. In Germany he comes in many forms: Krampus in Southern Germany, Pelzebock or Pelznickel in the North-West, Hans Muff in Rhineland, Bartel or the Wild Bear in Silesia, Gumphinkel with a bear in Hesse, or Black Pit close to the Dutch border. In the Palatinate both Nicholas and his attendant may be known as Stappklos, the plodder and grumbler.
Zwarte Piet
AKA Black Peter, was established in the Netherlands as the Sinterklaas helper in the 1845 book Sinterklaas en Zijn Knecht. He rides over the rooftops with Sinterklaas, listens down chimneys to check children's behavior, and delivers gifts. Even though some ask if he is an anachronism in today's world, the Piets are enormously popular; the Dutch see them as more fun-loving and mischievous than the more stately bishop. Besides, the Saint asks children questions and gives fruit while it is the Piets who hand out treats and candy.
Père Fouettard
He is found in France and Luxembourg, where he's known as Housécker. He is the evil butcher who was forever condemned to follow St. Nicolas as a punishment for luring the little lost children into his shop. His name doesn't translate well, but means "Mr. Bogeyman," "spanking," or "switches."
Schmutzli
He is nearly all brown: dressed in brown, with brown hair and beard, and a face darkened with lard and soot. He is St. Nicholas' helper in Switzerland. He carries a switch and sack, but no longer uses them. Children used to be told that Schmutzli would beat naughty children with the switch and carry them off in the sack to gobble them up in the woods. Sadly, today there is no more talk of beatings and such kidnappings.
In the Alpine area of Europe, Krampus comes to town.
About 200 years ago, St. Nick’s job was split - while the jolly fat man delivered presents, an evil, goat-horned spirit, the Krampus, brought bad dreams and beatings to the boys and girls of Austria, southern Germany, Switzerland, northern Italy. December 5 is Krampus Fest, and like most holidays in Europe, becomes an excuse for small towns in the countryside (where Krampus is more popular) to get together and drink their brains out.
Who else hangs with St. Nick?
White Horse
In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas arrives on a large white horse, a schimmel, which he rides around the countryside to visit schools and homes. Sometimes a white horse is also with St. Nicholas in Belgium, Germany and Poland.
Donkey
In France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, St. Nicholas leads a donkey laden with baskets full of treats and toys for children.
Angels
They may be the saint's helpers in Belgium, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, and Austria. Sometimes they keep the record of children's behavior in St. Nicholas' large book; they may carry the book as St. Nicholas delivers gifts. In Czech and Slovak tradition, the angel is there to protect children from the devil.
Devil
In Czech and Slovak traditions, a shaggy furred devil with horns, tail, and a long red tongue comes along with Saint Nicholas. He has a staff to threaten punishment. However, he is chained and an angel is there to protect the children.
Ruprecht
AKA Knecht Ruprecht, is St. Nicholas' most familiar attendant in Germany. He is a servant and helper whose face is sooty from going down chimneys leaving children's treats. He carries the sack of presents and a rod for disobedient children. "Just wait until Ruprecht comes" is still a common threat in German homes. Originally a farm hand, Ruprecht is known as Hanstrapp or Rupelz in the French region of Alsace. In Germany he comes in many forms: Krampus in Southern Germany, Pelzebock or Pelznickel in the North-West, Hans Muff in Rhineland, Bartel or the Wild Bear in Silesia, Gumphinkel with a bear in Hesse, or Black Pit close to the Dutch border. In the Palatinate both Nicholas and his attendant may be known as Stappklos, the plodder and grumbler.
Zwarte Piet
AKA Black Peter, was established in the Netherlands as the Sinterklaas helper in the 1845 book Sinterklaas en Zijn Knecht. He rides over the rooftops with Sinterklaas, listens down chimneys to check children's behavior, and delivers gifts. Even though some ask if he is an anachronism in today's world, the Piets are enormously popular; the Dutch see them as more fun-loving and mischievous than the more stately bishop. Besides, the Saint asks children questions and gives fruit while it is the Piets who hand out treats and candy.
Père Fouettard
He is found in France and Luxembourg, where he's known as Housécker. He is the evil butcher who was forever condemned to follow St. Nicolas as a punishment for luring the little lost children into his shop. His name doesn't translate well, but means "Mr. Bogeyman," "spanking," or "switches."
Schmutzli
He is nearly all brown: dressed in brown, with brown hair and beard, and a face darkened with lard and soot. He is St. Nicholas' helper in Switzerland. He carries a switch and sack, but no longer uses them. Children used to be told that Schmutzli would beat naughty children with the switch and carry them off in the sack to gobble them up in the woods. Sadly, today there is no more talk of beatings and such kidnappings.
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