St. Nikolaus
The night of December 5th is, according to my German teacher, the BIG gift giving day in Germany. Kinders leave their shoes out overnight, and when they wake up in the morning viola! they are filled with small presents and candy. But this Christmas guy is a little bit terrifying. Unlike our beloved Santa, St. Nikolaus will punish you if you have been bad. The story goes that he, or his assistant- who is in blackface; but don't worry. It's okay cause it's apparently chimney soot...?- will put you in Nikolaus' sack and beat you with a stick if you've been bad. Corinna, my German professor, told us that parents don't really tell their kids about that part anymore... wonder why? These lucky kinders get visited by Santa as well on Christmas. Corinna said that German's are a little confused about the difference between the two. I think this is a little unfair, because clearly Santa and "St. Nick" are basically the same guy. Santa, Santa Claus, Saint Klaus, Saint Nikolaus. However, I love Santa. As far as I'm concerned, two is WAY better than one.
Happy St. Nikolaus Day!
No comments:
Post a Comment