Belsnickel

The Belsnickel is a character from German folklore that is known to visit homes during Christmas time to bring treats to well-behaved children, but also to punish naughty children. He is usually dressed in fur and carries a switch or a stick to scare the children into behaving better. Belsnickel is often depicted as a crotchety old man who sneaks around and makes noises to catch children off guard. He is believed to have originated in the Palatinate region of Germany and was brought to America by German immigrants. Some families in the Pennsylvania Dutch region still carry on the tradition of Belsnickel by having someone dress up as him and visit their homes during the holiday season.