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 ...

→ 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 ...

→ 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 ...

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. ...

→ 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 ...

→ “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 ...

* 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 ...

→ 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 ...

→ ‘Yes Helen, there is a Belsnickel’.

He makes a great point about the modern state of Germany not existing when the immigrants who were to become the founders of the Pennsylvania Dutch Culture came to this ...

The notion that Pennsylvania Dutch could go fallow is absurd to the Amish, who have been doubling their population every few decades. “It’s actually considered the fastest-growing small-minority language in the ...

→ Talking Christmas traditions with Don Yoder - Philly.com

You can't come to God's Country and turn your nose up at Cow Flowers! I personally love the smell of fresh manure as long as it is one part of an ...

→ 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 ...

Bring back coffee flavored coffee! You can find more Ask A PA Dutchman episodes and Pennsylfaanisch Deitsch language videos on Douglas Madenford's YouTube channel.

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 ...

"I'd like to accept this Chonny™ for Best Laid Pipe on behalf of plumbers everywhere, without whom the Brad Pitts and Gwyneth Paltrows of the world would be left wallow in ...

→ Christmas Candylane opens Friday for holiday season - LancasterOnline

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 ...

→ 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 ...

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 ...

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.

→ 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, ...

→ 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 ...

→ 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 ...