Belsnickle Santa of yesteryear was not so jolly

→ Belsnickle Santa of yesteryear was not so jolly – The Herald-Dispatch

More details here on the legendary Belsnickel. I do take issue with the following…

Needless to say the first Belsnickle scared the daylights out of the children of the time, so it is little wonder our rosy-cheeked sweet Santa survived and he didn’t.

Oh, but he did survive. He may have been forced underground by the Madison Avenue campaign to promote a fear-free, commercially oriented Christmas. But the times have changed and Belsnickel is back from the hinterlands, scratching at your window with his switch, and looking for your children.

Belsnickel: A slightly terrifying Pennsylvania Dutch tradition

In the Belsnickel's world, Christmas shouldn't be so enjoyable for the naughty kids. He comes at night, dressed in dirty furs, face blackened with charcoal. He has one purpose: To ...

‘Yes Helen, there is a Belsnickel’

→ ‘Yes Helen, there is a Belsnickel’.

Meet Belsnickel, the Counter Claus

Santa Claus, the pleasant bearded elf dressed in red (in case you thought I was referring to some other Santa Claus), was not predestined to be a worldwide Christmas icon ...

VIDEO | Ask A PA Dutchman: The Belsnickel

Yes! Kick Santa to the curb and turn Belsknickel loose upon the land. For more 'Ask A PA Dutchman' episodes and Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch language videos check out Doulgas Madenford's YouTube channel.

Twas The Night Before Christmas – Translated into Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch by Thomas C. Zimmerman

* I'm still in the process of formatting the Deitsch version. Scroll down for English version. Die Nacht for de Chrischdaag 'S waar die Nacht for de Chrischdaag und dorch es gans Haus ...

Landis Valley Museum “Days of the Belsnickel” Lunch Tour

→ “Days of the Belsnickel” Lunch Tour Pennsylvania at the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum Start with a video, then take a guided tour through the village, decked out Pennsylvania ...

Der Belsnickel by Henry Harbaugh

Der Belsnickel Oh, do you know that ugly, that nasty man? Wow! Can you call that fellow a human being? Yes, that he is a human, may be believed by whomever wants to, He ...

VIDEO: What is a Belsnickel?

Pennsylvania Folkways: The Belsnickel brings light and darkness

→ Pennsylvania Folkways: The Belsnickel brings light and darkness - Reading Eagle After having read many articles about Belsnickel, I find that one the most interesting aspects about the tradition is ...

Is He Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle or Pelznickel?

→ Is He Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle or Pelznickel? Santa Klaus is exhausted. Perhaps it's time for him to share the burden and ask for some help. Christmas isn't ...

Hersheypark’s Christmas Candylane opens Friday for holiday season

→ Christmas Candylane opens Friday for holiday season - LancasterOnline

Der Belsnickel Suite, a symphonic work by Dave Kline performed by the Reading Philharmonic Orchestra

In my mind's eye, the fanciful events depicted in Der Belsnickel Suite portray two special days on a family farm in a rustic and sturdy home built from field stone. ...

VIDEO| Origin of the “Belsnickel” In Under A Minute

Friends of Hopewell Furnace celebrate “Bill of Rights Day”

→ Friends of Hopewell Furnace celebrate “Bill of Rights Day" - Berks Mont News The Friends of Hopewell Furnace invite the public to celebrate the 225th anniversary of the Bill of ...

City of Reading embraces ugly Christmas tree

→ City of Reading embraces ugly Christmas tree - The Morning Call Perhaps Reading should adopt the phenomena of the "Worlds Ugliest Christmas Tree" as a yearly ritual. Pretty, well decorated trees can ...

Christmastime in the Land of the Belsnickel by Matthew Burns

I came across this Belsnickel story on the Appalachian Lifestyles blog by Matthew Burns. He was gracious enough to grant me permission to repost it here. Enjoy. Christmastime in the Land ...

Pennsbury Manor prepping for festive Holly Nights celebration

→ Pennsbury Manor prepping for festive Holly Nights celebration - Bucks County Courier Times Experience the enchantment of Pennsbury Manor by candlelight. Enjoy crackling bonfires, carolers, candlelit tours of the Manor ...

Troxell-Steckel Farm Museum old-fashioned Christmas offers look at Pennsylvania German life in 1842

→ Old-fashioned Christmas in Lehigh County offers look at Pennsylvania German life in 1842 - lehighvalleylive.com Saturday, December 6: 1:00 pm– 6:00 pm, last tour 5:15: A Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas Travel back ...

Birdsboro’s Daniel Boone Homestead Recreating 18th Century Christmas

→ Homestead Recreating 18th Century Christmas - Pottstown Post Watch out kids because Belsnickel's going to show up! danielboonehomestead.org 12/7: A Homestead Christmas 12-4pm Admission Adult (13+) $6.00, Child (5-12) $4.00. FDBH members free, ...

VIDEO | A living history presentation on the PA Dutch tradition of the Der Belsnickel

The sound is not that great but this clip is very informative and well worth watching if you want to learn more about the Pennsylvania Dutch tradtion of Der Belsnickel.

Talking Christmas traditions with Don Yoder

→ Talking Christmas traditions with Don Yoder - Philly.com

The history of Santa Claus with reference to Belsnickel and Kris Kringle

→ This and That — The history of Santa Claus - Delphos Herald Belsnickel came from Pelz Nichol, stemming from St. Nicholas and the December 6th gift giving holiday. Kris Kringle ...