I didn’t get much sleep last night, thanks to a Small Boy constantly getting up to check whether his and his Sister’s boots had been filled with treats from Saint Nicholas. When he wasn’t checking for the sudden appearance of presents, or a glimpse of a man in a red cloak and a Bishop’s mitre, he was checking that we were both aware that he was quite worried about the possibility of Krampus visiting instead (thank you little Bavarian friends for fuelling his imagination with this admittedly terrifying regional beast!). Methinks past naughtiness might have had him slightly worried, but having reassured him that a) Krampus isn’t real (well at least I hope he isn’t), b) we would hear him rattling his chains if he was and c) the door was locked – we managed to get some rest eventually.
And at first light (and as if by magic), both children were up, and both sets of boots had been filled with chocolates, biscuits, plasticine, bath crayons, and an obligatory tangerine – so they must have been good after all!!
Considering how hard Saint Nicholas had worked throughout the night delivering millions of gifts across Europe, it was impressive then that he had enough energy to pay a surprise visit to the school this morning. The entire year of 5 and 6 year olds sat in awe as he read from his vast golden book and told them how good they had been, and instructed them in which areas they might improve upon, eventually handing out more chocolates and tangerines. They in turn sang him a few Christmas Carols to say thank you. And, as is usually the case for me when it comes to assemblies, school plays, and tiny children singing, I stood in the corner and tried desperately not to cry . This time at least I can put it all down to being over tired…
Mary says
Aw, it’s lovely to hear about the different Christmas traditions throughout Europe and the world. It doesn’t half extend the season and make more work for parents though (she said in the tone of a Grinch ;) ) Here it’s all about the 3 Kings who deliver the pressies on the 6th January but the 3 year old is already very clear that Santa shall be visiting on Christmas Eve as well. Last year, when he wasn’t really aware of it all I didn’t bother with the 3 Kings. He didn’t notice but I got the third degree from the neighbours’ children on what the Kings had brought him. When I tried to fob them off with something they were all like ‘No, he had that before.’ I felt both a)persecuted and b) terribly mean! LOL
bavaria says
Thanks for the lovely comment! It’s hard work isn’t it with more than one “present” day! :D
farfromhomemama says
I looked up Krampus and now live in fear that he may make it over the Swiss border. He sounds terrifying. Samichlaus (Saint Nicholas) also visited my son’s kinderkrippe on Dec 6 – nuts, chocolate and a clementine were the order of the day. Apparently he told my son that he’s been a ‘good boy’ but as I wasn’t there I think I need to verify this with the teachers :-)
bavaria says
Isn’t he the stuff of nightmares?? :D I do hope you get your verification! :D
Mama Syder says
How lovely! x
bavaria says
It was very special, thank you! :)
Erica Price says
We did the St.Nicholas thing this year and last. H seemed to enjoy it and didn’t seem to notice that mummy just recycled sweets that we’d brought home in party bags and he’d forgotten about.
bavaria says
That’s nice, great idea to recycle sweets as well! :)
Midlife Singlemum says
I always cry whenever children sing in chorus. I met Sinta Klauss in Holland one year (with his little Black slave boy – Pete). Apart from the slave it is actually a nice idea to keep the spiritual side of Christmas away from the presents and parties hype. Although I’ve heard that even in Holland the Christmas hype is starting to take over the 25th.
bavaria says
Luckily there are no slaves here, just evil demonic beasts to frighten you with instead!! :D
Sarah says
He looks amazing! Better than Father Christmas you see in shops. Presumably Father Christmas also makes a ‘proper’ visit on Christmas day? Found this post on MBPW by the way.
bavaria says
Thanks Sarah… Yes, Father Christmas also turns up if you are lucky, but for most on the 24th. We keep it the 25th though… :)
Kelloggsville says
Oh I always cry too! But I would have had my biggest wellies on that door step!
bavaria says
Glad it’s not just me… And yes, you’re right… Next year my boots are going out as well! :D
MsCaroline says
I of course don’t recommend this for your children, but have you heard of the Perchtenlauf? I think it’s an Austrian/Tirol thing – a parade of intricately masked and costumed devil-looking folk similar to Krampus and there are parades every year around this time. I tried to post you a link, but I can’t get it to work in this comment box. If you put ‘Perchtenlauf’ in your YouTube search box, you should get ‘Klagenfurter Perchtenlauf Teil 1.” from last year (don’t know where this year’s is.) Don’t watch when your children are around – quite scary – and keep the volume low, since Rammstein is favorite background music. But it’s still pretty awe-inspiring in a terrifying sort of way….
bavaria says
Wow, that looks truly petrifying! I would have to go on my own to that I think, although I might be too scared! Thanks Caroline! :)
Helen says
Oh i love it how exciting, i must say i have been using the good list bad list on soph and she is being the best girl ever i love the krampus myth i might have to yarn that in somewhere . Will you still celebrate xmas day with stockings as we do in the uk or not as your in your new surrounding and new traditions?
bavaria says
Thank you! The Bavarians are very wise, and also have another lot of presents, but this time on the 24th…. We will celebrate with stockings etc. and I always make sure we have an English Christmas dinner! :D
Victoria says
This made me smile! I miss getting my chocolate V every year!! :) xx
bavaria says
And I miss my Chocolate E…. :) xxxx
The View From the Table says
Oh loving the scary Krampus vs St. Nic – nice bit of tension there to ensure no sleep at all! Oh the school assemblies, I am off and in tears the moment their little voices are raised in unison. Christmas is a weep fest for me.. Really enjoying reading about all these different traditions that you’re experiencing x
bavaria says
Thank you! They certainly know how to keep their children well behaved with the threat of creatures like that! Glad I am not the only over emotional one. Assembly this afternoon, hankies at the ready! :D
MsCaroline says
Awww – Nikolaus came to visit us, too ; no Krampus, thank God! The good thing about the international German school is that there are so many regional customs (with and without Krampus) that they all just settle on the most common denominator, which, in our case, was just the Holy Nikolaus himself. I even got a photo op with him after we sang him about a zillion verses of ‘Laßt uns froh und munter sein.” If I hadn’t been so busy this week, I would have already diligently posted, like you!
bavaria says
Consider it done on your behalf! :D I didn’t get a photo opp with Saint Nick though! PS. I am glad Krampus isn’t in Korea, although I imagine they have equally terrifying legends… A friend of mine has given me some details of where you can go to see Saint Nicholas and meet Krampus, I might go next year (on my own perhaps!) :D