| December 6th is the name day of St. Nikolaus. | | | | on a 3rd century Bishop of Smyrna. Each year, |
| But 'der Nikolaus' actually comes on the evening | | | | there is a campaign to preserve the tradition and |
| of December 5th, with his companion, a little devil | | | | religious aspects of 'Nikolaus' and to oppose the |
| called 'Krampus'. Nikolaus brings small presents, | | | | corruption of the tradition (blamed on America) |
| nuts, oranges and apples to the houses in the | | | | into Santa Claus. |
| village for the children. Sometimes the children | | | | This year, children were photographed for a local |
| recite a poem or play a piece of music for him. | | | | paper, 'adapting' chocolate Santa Claus figures by |
| Nikolaus then lists the good and bad things the | | | | adding a Bishop's hat, staff and bible to make a |
| children have done during the year, often in the | | | | real Nikolaus. There are always complaints that |
| form of a rhyme. | | | | the shops are full of chocolate Santa Claus figures |
| The Krampus may punish them if they have been | | | | and Nikolaus figures are difficult to find. Another |
| particularly bad during the year! An old tradition in | | | | difference is that the Nikolaus who visits children |
| Bayerisch Eisenstein is 'Nigeln'. Children or adults go | | | | on December 5th is not their father. The Nikolaus |
| out on the streets on the evening of 5th | | | | is provided by a local organization - in Bayerisch |
| December, dressed as Krampus, and others | | | | Eisenstein it is the freiwillige Feuerwehr (volunteer |
| tease them and are then chased. The children | | | | firefighters). Parents can phone and book a visit, |
| enjoy this as they have to try to escape. | | | | providing also the details of their children's good |
| There are similarities with Santa Claus but also big | | | | and bad behavior. In other places, the service can |
| differences. In Catholic Bavaria, Nikolaus is based | | | | be provided by a charitable organization. |