Nikolaus, Santa or Christkind

Yesterday children across Germany were scrambling out of their beds to see if Nikolaus had visited!

And finally after four years of living here, with the help of many discussions from friends and neighbors, I think I've got the difference between Nikolaus and Santa down, and I'm here to share it with you.

What is the difference between Nikolaus, Santa,  Christkind, and the Weihnachtsmann?

Let's begin with headwear.  The first distinction is that Nikolaus wears a mitre. 

That pointy bishop style hat is your big clue. The second would be that he carries a staff.  Nikolaus baiscally looks like a religious shepard.

He's the first of the big December players to arrive (on the 6th) and traditionally he leaves a chocolate in your shoe.  He often throws in healthy crap like mandarines, apples or walnuts.  If you're really lucky, you'll score a small gift. 

Nikolaus is a team player.  If you leave your Wunschzettel or wish list out on the 5th, he'll pass it onto the Christkind for you.

The Christkind is the angel that will be delivering gifts on the 24th. It is unclear if the Christkind is a male or female angel.  It is certainly implied that the angel is representive of baby Jesus.  This is where a very important distinction comes in.  If you happen to be a "non-religious" family here in Germany, you might refer to the person delivering the gifts at your house as the "Weihnachtsmann" in lieu of the more religious "Christkind." 

In a most impressive show of efficiency, most Germans erect their trees ON the 24th, pulling a major diversion with the children while a visit is made by the Christkind who delivers the goods.  Sometimes the Christkind (or Weihnachtsmann) even get credit for decorating the tree as well. 

Now where does Santa fit in do you ask?  He sort of doesn't.  He's quite a problem actually.  How do you explain the red-suited man with the slouchy hat with white pom-pom? Many kids, including my stepson informed me that "Santa is the modern guy from America that Coca-Cola made up.  He just helps at the Christmas markets and stuff because there's so much work to be done." 

It's been my experience that "Weihnachtsmann" then is also the term for "Santa" or any other gift bearing figure who is not Nikolaus and not the Christkind.

Santa, for all intents and purposes doesn't really exist here.  By the 25th of December, Christmas is already over according to the Germans. 

So there you have it.  I always thought the difference in attire was something like "modern" Santa versus "old fashioned" Santa.  Perhaps hat evolution.  Or maybe the same guy in two different culturally appropriate costumes.  No, no.  The truth is that they are actually three completely different people.  But be sure to note that they are all watching if you're naughty or nice and like everywhere else are a convienient reminder to the children to keep them on their best behavior. 

I thought it was so wonderfully culturally appropriate that Playmobil came out with the Nikolau-Christkind duo set. (4887).

 

Comments

[Anne]

The little Playmobil set is cute! I love having the tree and decorations up for a long time, so setting it up on Dec. 24 would be kind of sad for me, but then again, I also play Christmas songs all during Advent instead of waiting until Christmas. They are just so much more festive than Advent songs!

[Veronika]

Damn, I've missed him completely which is why I guess there was no chocolates in my shoe this week, I better make sure I don't miss Santa as well! :D

[iHanna]

Three guys that know if I'm naughty or nice, hehe, better get to it! Love the angel girl - so cute, and thanks for the info on the etymology of the words.

[1st. lady of kleinochsenfurt]

Danke Tari! Ich bin dir so dankbar, dass du der Welt den Unterschied so schön erklärt hast. Hoffentlich lesen es gaaaaanz viele! Tausend Dank! Liebe vorweihnachtliche Grüße, Silke (die Verfechterin des "echten" Nikolaus` und des Christkinds)

[Jacqueline]

They did not explain to you that St. Nicholaas is the bishop from Myra (several centuries ago) who became a saint because he gave gifts to children??? Here in the Netherlands we also have 'Zwarte Pieten' or Black Peters as his helpers. These are based on the Moorish people with dark skin who were appearantly helping the good old saint out.
But we celebrate Sinterklaas on the evening of the 5th of december. On 6 december the bisshop leaves again to Madrid, Spain where he spend the rest of the year.

AFAIK, Santa is the friendly and less respected version of Sinterklaas (sint = saint), brought to the US by immigrants from Europe.
But, just in case you forgot: 25 december is the birth of Christ that is celebrated. :-)

No idea how the Germans came up with an angel girl as Christkind! Kind means Child, so I would assume that it is baby Jesus...
LOL - more confusion now!