He is approx 6" tall EXCLUDING the hanger. The character was made popular during a holiday episode of The Office. Wardell says the people from each house wouldn't have to join the group, but they usually wanted to. The revelers were invited to share food and drink before traveling with their noisemakers and horns to the next household. Rachel Bailey, the mayor of Lunenburg, N.S., an area of the province where Belsnickeling is said to be popular, told CTVNews.ca she’s heard of the tradition, although it is hardly celebrated. He wrote that they were greeted at every door with refreshments, and with "the young gazing at them with mingled fear and joy.". Shop Victorian Assets at Victorian Trading Co. Another Twitter user wrote: “I've literally never heard of this before.”. The Belsnickel is a German character similar to Santa that is popular in Pennsylvania Dutch communities. "Some of my son's friends are on Facebook saying, 'Oh, we should get into the Belsnickling tradition again.' Nova Scotians, however, are taking to the Internet to dispute whether this strange tradition is in fact celebrated locally. In a January 1906 edition of the Dartmouth Patriot, a person identified only as "an advocate of old time customs" described the groups of men and boys "fantastically dressed" as Belsnickels in Lunenburg. "They'll probably just go to their friends' houses and start out, the same way as we did. Belsnickel (also Belschnickel, Belznickle, Belznickel, Pelznikel, Pelznickel, from pelzen (or belzen, German for to wallop or to drub) and Nickel being a hypocorism of the given name Nikolaus) is a crotchety, fur-clad Christmas gift-bringer figure in the folklore of the Palatinate region of southwestern Germany along the Rhine, the Saarland, and the Odenwald area of Baden-Württemberg. I guess this is as much an ornament as a tag! Fig 2. F: 1 (902) 543-2228 • hello@lighthousenow.ca. Belsnickel is part of the Christmas Parade. Product description >We are proud to introduce our classic American-crafted Belsnickel. Eventually times changed, and Wardell and her friends had to put the tradition to rest. The Belsnickel is one of the original representations of Santa Claus. The wooden switch is still part of Belsnickel costumes, but nowadays it's purely decorative. Wily old Belsnickel has a knack for survival. Every craft project they do, no matter how big or small, they say, 'I'm going to hang this on the tree!' My girls have been so excited for Christmas that ours has been up for about a week now and the kids are LOVING it! He has tinsel "fur" accents on his cloak. ", 353 York St Still, Wardell loves reminiscing about the glory days of Belsnickling, and she's got faith that we haven't seen the last of it. The stars were glittered, punched, and strung together. For this tag I used an angel image from The Graphics Fairy. Those who get it right are rewarded with a piece of cake and a hot drink. The character was made popular during a holiday episode of The Office. Too many thespians, too many households, and too many drinks led to increased boisterous behavior, and city officials sought to ban the custom. How to get a response from your kids. An article in Porter Airlines’ in-flight magazine indicating Nova Scotians go “Belsnickeling around the icy streets of their hometowns” has people online questioning if the holiday tradition even exists. [WHAT’S INCLUDED]> Three (3) Hand painted wood slice ornaments with natural jute string as pictured[DETAILS]> Wood: Birch> Size: Each ornament varies between 2, Santa - Incredible 19" tall German Belsnickle. Subscribe today for access to all articles, including our archives. "My husband was a piano player, so if there was a piano in the house, we tended to stay a bit longer, and it turned into a singsong," said Wardell. One of her favourite memories is when they went Belsnickling in a blinding snowstorm. Unique, one-of-a-kind treasures and romantic, vintage-inspired items sure to enchant! Just don't call them mummers. “We're glad we were able to bring more attention to this provincial lore.”, Could the Nova Scotian who fed this hilarious lie to Porter please show yourself pic.twitter.com/lgiAG2Nt0H, Amazing. (Emily/Twitter). and an attached jute style hanger. They haven't started yet, but I have a feeling this Christmas they may," said Wardell. :-) The picture doesn't really do it justice - so much prettier in person when you can see all the sparkle and the dimension…, Vintage Images, DIY Tutorials & Craft Projects. Apr 24, 2018 - Explore Susan Locke's board "Belsnickle Santas", followed by 269 people on Pinterest. They invited people to meet for an organized expedition in Lunenburg in 2013, and they adorn Belsnickel costumes every year in the Santa Claus parade. People tried to guess who you were in the costume, and if they didn't, they had to give you a cup of hot cider or some other form of treat. It was a tradition, and people were just happy to see you come," said Wardell. In a January 1906 edition of the Dartmouth Patriot, a person identified only as "an advocate of old time customs" described the groups of men and boys "fantastically dressed" as Belsnickels in Lunenburg. According to the article, Germans brought Belsnickeling to Nova Scotia in the 1750s and “most Nova Scotians” now participate in the tradition. Is a permanent switch to Daylight Savings Time a good idea? B4V 3K2 • T: 1 (902) 543-2457 • Bridgewater, NS She and her husband Dennis hadn't heard of the tradition when they moved to Bayport in the early 80s, but before they knew it, they were cutting eye holes out of scallop bags and wearing them as masks. Please make sure that you are posting in the form of a question. “It definitely is a real thing,” she said. Grab whatever musical instruments you can find, and play a tune at a neighbours door until they can guess your name. The Lunenburg Walking Tours has done its part to adapt Belsnickling for modern times. But for centuries, people on the South Shore have also been visited by groups with a much rowdier approach. Move over Elf of the Shelf, there's a new toy in town, Invite your car to the Ugly Christmas Sweater party, too, B.C. The wooden switch is still part of Belsnickel costumes, but nowadays it's purely decorative. I had to draw the line at my 3 year old's chalk drawings though…, I'm finally on time again! Thank you for printing this article from lighthousenow.ca. 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