Flula & Christoph Waltz explain KRAMPUS on American TV! 😂 | Feli from Germany

December 6th is St. Nicholas Day which is celebrated in many cultures all over the world! In Germany, St. Nick typically doesn't only bring treats and presents but also his not so lovely companion...
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ABOUT ME: Hallo, Servus, and welcome to my channel! My name is Felicia (Feli), I'm 28, and I'm a German living in the USA! I was born and raised in Munich, Germany but have been living in Cincinnati, Ohio off and on since 2016. I first came here for an exchange semester during my undergrad at LMU Munich, then I returned for an internship, and then I got my master's degree in Cincinnati. I was lucky enough to win the Green Card lottery and have been a permanent resident since 2019! In my videos, I talk about cultural differences between America and Germany, things I like and dislike about living here, and other topics I come across in my everyday life in the States. Let me know what YOU would like to hear about in the comments below. DANKE :)
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[@istvanpeterkovacs730]

Hi! I’m from Hungary, Budapest. Krampus! This custom is same in Hungary. I suppose, it arrived from Austria nearly 200 years before. When I was small child, long long ago, the Mikulas (Szent Miklos, St Nicholas) visited our kindergarten with krampus. It happened in the whole country. 😊

[@matthewmorrisdon5491]

I am Dutch, but a Swiss friend told me they had Krampus but not St. Nicholas because Swiss are Reform. Krampus just eats naughty children.

[@tobiwan001]

I am German and I always thought of Krampus being Austrian. Apparently, it is also Bavarian. I never heard of Krampus growing up, but we had "Knecht Ruprecht".

[@Zireael83]

i never hear of krampus, frau perchta and even the christkind i only heard in songs ^^. i only know weihnachtsmann & nikolaus ^^

[@edgarwallmeyer6630]

I haven't heard of Krampus either

[@marionperhonita2731]

I had never heard of Krampus before moving to Bavaria either

[@chartreux1532]

Bavarian from Berchtesgaden here. I dress up each Year as a Perchte/Krampus to hunt down and scare Teenagers (and Tourists sometimes) during the Perchtenlauf. It's true that way too many Germans got no clue that these Alpine Pagan Traditions are also German and have Versions of them even in the Italian and French Alps. In fact, we sometimes get "City Folk" usually University Students from Berlin or the Ruhrpott who are so shocked and surprised by witnessing a "Perchtenlauf" that some even ended up complaining to the Tourist Board because it was too scary or "primitive". In Berchtesgaden we also get a ton of American Tourists, who in fact complain less about the Tradition than many Germans did. Which tells you something about Germans and Respect for Traditions compared to Non-Germans and how they pretty much always appreciate and support Traditions from European Countries. Prost & Cheers from the Berchtesgadener Land, and don't worry, our Costumes might look very scary and we act very scary, but we're all just being happy to enjoy a very old Alpine Tradition

[@angelikapreu9323]

In the North of Bavaria=> Frankonia, Krampus do not exist. We still have "Knecht Ruprecht". And at some Places on 11.11. is coming the so called "Pelzer/Bulzermärtl". "Pelzen" is an medevial Word and means beating the naughty children.🥴

[@jensschroder8214]

As a German, the Krampus was completely unknown to me until recently. This is an Allemanic custom. I was only aware of Knecht Ruprecht. The one who has to carry the heavy sack. And the benefits that Nikolaus brings. To help the poor, to share the mantle, to be hospitable And nuts and chocolate for the kids. Not just for the kids...

[@MichaelBurggraf-gm8vl]

I don't think it's an alemannic custom. Even here in Upper Swabia (south-east of Baden-Württemberg) Knecht Ruprecht is more well known than Krampus. I knew about it quite early because of relatives in Vorarlberg/Austria. But possibly even there and in Liechtenstein they would say that it is a tradition adopted from Tyrolia.

[@leDespicable]

Yeah, it's not really an Alemannic custom, more of an eastern alpine region thing

[@schaefchen1988]

I'm from northern germany and I also never heard of Krampus before

[@leDespicable]

@@schaefchen1988 which part of the south

[@Zireael83]

and did you knew the christkind? i only knew the weihnachtsmann ^^

[@Karl-me4mh]

I grew up in germany near Cologne. I am 39 Years old and I never heard of Krampus until about a year ago, when I watched a Video about it on youtube. Knecht Ruprecht was mentioned by my grandparents once in a while before Christmans but my parents didn't even talk about him anymore. That's how much of a regional thing Krampus really is.

[@ingevonschneider5100]

I lived in Hamburg, Nordrhein-Westfalien and Baden-Württemberg and never heard of Krampus. It is not a part of German Chrismas. Maybe in some parts of Bavaria and in Austria (which is not Germany). It is sad that even Feli spreads misinformation.

[@MartinTriker]

Never heard of Krampus, too, living in Baden-Württemberg. But what about Knecht Ruprecht?

[@xavierduyck8452]

I was this weekend in thé region of Aachen and there they called him: Hans Muff.

[@JonaxII]

@@ingevonschneider5100 nah, she doesn't. She clarifies later in the video how it's an alpine thing

[@natcat555]

@@xavierduyck8452 @Karl I'm from the region between Aachen and Köln (Cologne) and never heard of Krampus til this video. We call the guy Knecht Ruprecht.

[@nothingspecial123Q]

I grew up in Germany, NRW and never heard of Krampus until my big sister moved to Bavaria when I was 10. She told me of Krampus and I was so happy living in Nordrhein Westfalen and have to deal with Knecht Ruprecht only 🤣😝

[@Zireael83]

in thüringen i only saw the "weihnachtsmann". the "nikolaus" was only there when we slept. others like christkind, knecht ruprecht, krampus or frau perchta must not have known our house ^^ ;)

[@anmichele3829]

I’m American but was born in Germany and my parents found out about St Nicholas and brought their own spin of it back to State Side. St. Nicholas comes to our house but instead of out things in our shoes, he brings presents and stockings. Christmas is for Jesus’ birthday party

[@hotwax9376]

Interesting way of separating the two.

[@bethany8734]

Oh that’s a neat way to celebrate!

[@helgaioannidis9365]

My father has 4 brothers and one of them at age 8 was bragging around all day on the 6th of December that he doesn't care about Nikolaus at all. When it got dark someone knocked heavily on the door, shouting: "where's the boy that doesn't care about me?!" My uncle ran into the bathroom and didn't come out until Nikolaus left about 1 hour later 😂😂😂

[@herb6677]

It was the same with a nephew of mine. He came all the way from South Africa to have a laugh over Krampus at his grandmothers flat in Austria and I believe he (my nephew) is still sitting there under that very table up to this day.

[@Minnesota_Vance]

Elf on a Shelf is a relatively new thing. Starting in 2005 with a book of the same title. The story was inspired by a family tradition started by Carol Aebersold for her twin daughters, Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts, in Georgia. It has become a marketing campaign for the toy and even has animated TV movies now but, it really isn't a "tradition" of most U.S. families.

[@comsunjava]

Yes, no tradition at all, they strike me more of a marketing thing - thanks Jimmy! But - given your user name, figuring you are familiar with "Tomtes", from Scandinavia - a there is a real tradition of course. Btw Feli, if you make it up to St. Paul Minnesota, you might see the Krampus running around at the Christmas market :)

[@drivehard2395]

I'm 54, and we had elves when I was a kid, that sat on shelves, but there was no "they are watching" stuff to it. They look just like the "elf on the shelf". Even my mother in her 70s said "the elves got popular". Do a search of "Vintage Elf on Shelf" and a bunch will come up. The ones my Grandparents had were from the 1950s.

[@Minnesota_Vance]

@@drivehard2395 elf on a shelf wasn't written until 2005 and won a best toy award in 2008. Should I cut and paste it all here for you?

[@mattmorgan881]

True, but the idea that Santa is always watching is at the root of it, and that's been around forever. He sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake. Elf on the shelf is a way for people who aren't religiously strict to sell children the idea of good behavior leading to more/better gifts. You stick the elf somewhere new that the kid will notice every day and it makes the kid feel like their behavior is being observed and reported on to Santa.

[@bethsmith3421]

I was a teacher for 31 years. I remember when Elf on a Shelf came out. It was a cute book, but I thought there were much better Christmas stories out there. Then the marketing went crazy and pretty soon it was seen everywhere. I personally didn't buy into it, not in my home or my classroom. I think a lot of younger parents saw it as a more visual, Santa is watching you, to try and coerce their children into better behavior. Again personally, I think good parenting and discipline would be a better choice instead of subversion. Anyway, even though you see it a lot in stores, I would not say it is an American tradition yet. Maybe some families are building it into their family but not that wise spread.

[@MLWitteman]

In the Low Countries, and especially in the Netherlands, St. Nicholas arrives at the end of November. He travels on a steamboat from Spain, and a special kids show follows all of this in the week before he travels to the Netherlands. When he arrives the whole event gets broadcasted live on national television for the whole country to follow. St. Nicholas or Sinterklaas is accompanied by his helpers called “Piet” or “Pieten”. Sinterklaas then travels through the country on the back of a white horse, on which he can ride the rooftops to allow him to put the presents through the chimneys. After Sinterklaas has arrived in the country, the kids are allowed to put their shoes in front of the fireplace, and put something in the shoe for the horse like a carrot. They then sing a special Sinterklaas song to ask the good saint for a nice present. But on Sinterklaas Eve, so on the 5th of December, the whole family gets together and celebrates Sinterklaas. Uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and the grandparents all come together, sing songs and have dinner. Then a loud banging on the window or door is heard. A black hand will appear of Piet, which throws special Sinterklaas candy into the room. The kids then start to look for a big bag filled with presents for all the kids and even the parents. This is how we celebrate St. Nicholas or Sinterklaas in the Low Countries, and especially in the Netherlands.

[@EinDeutscherPatriot620]

Does this apply in the Low Saxon states as well?

[@matthewmorrisdon5491]

We Dutch are much nicer then German. I am Dutch on my mom's side.

[@kenkur27]

Didn't 'Piet' used to be 'Schwartze Peter' (Black Peter) but that name became controversial because of what some consider racial connotations?

[@MLWitteman]

@@kenkur27 yeah that’s true. There’s a heated debate in the Netherlands about this topic. But Zwarte Piet, or Black Pete, is largely gone by now. He has been replaced by Roetveeg Piet, or Soot Pete.

[@MLWitteman]

@@EinDeutscherPatriot620 not sure about that to be honest. Could very well be the case.

[@enriques22]

We here in Switzerland Santa Clause, he is called "Samichlaus", also has a companion like Knechtruprecht. He is called "Schmutzli". In Switzerland we love to give cute names to everything ;-)

[@voyance4elle]

aaaaw these words are so cute!!!

[@teniente_snafu]

I ran as a Krampus as almost everyone else in their youth in our village in the Austrian Alps. The look and even the Nature of Krampus and Perchten is different even from valley to valley. Some have the fur, the horns and grim masks. But there also are "beautiful" variants, with elaborate, colored dresses and mirrors and jewels integrated into the costume. Some of the costumes are so over the top they need helpers to support them all the tinsel they are carrying.

[@keithfaust8925]

I'm Pennsylvania German (PA Dutch) and we have Belsnickel, which is like a cross between Krampus and Knecht Ruprecht. My grandparents had a Belsnickel Christmas ornament that used to scare the crap out of me as a kid. I used to tell myself it was just Santa, but discolored over the years, and the frightened children he was stuffing in a sack were just frightened looking dolls.

[@greshnok5207]

I'm from Palatinate in Germany (Pfalz in German) from where I think many of the ancestors of the Pennsylvania Dutch people come from. The Belznickel is known in our region and he is kind of Nikolaus and Knecht Ruprecht in one person. In the city of Pirmasens even the local Christmas market is called "Belznickelmarkt".

[@keithfaust8925]

@@greshnok5207 Yes, Palatinate is where the Pennsylvania Dutch people come from, and the culture and language shares similarities with Pfalz. There's a great documentary called Hiwwe wie Driwwe that compares how Pfalz culture is still alive. My dream is to visit that area of Germany and see where my roots came from!

[@greshnok5207]

​@@keithfaust8925I've seen several documentaries about Pennsylvanian Dutch and it's fascinating how many phrases and words are the same as the ones we use in our regional dialect and wich are not known in other regions.

[@browngreen933]

Belznickel sounds like another name for the Devil.

[@charlesschlotter757]

There are apparently variations of the spelling and personality of this character, some benevolent, others mean, others downright brutal. When my father was a boy in the 1920's living on the north side of town, the name was Pelsnickel. I found it hard to believe his stories but they turned out to be true. Pelsnickel would appear in the form of older kids and young adults who would waylay small children and beat them with clubs, 2x4s, and stones. As for The Elf on the Shelf, The Simpsons nailed it in their episode The Gnome in the Home in which the apparently harmless but guilt-trippy Gnome repeatedly terrorizes and attempts to murder baby Maggie. I assume the original Elf creator meant no harm but I also believe that children have enough anxieties as it is without adding another one. I wouldn't put an elf on any shelf, nor do I like the "He sees you when you are sleeping etc." part of Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

[@MsAaannaaa]

I'm 40 and from the West of Germany and never heard of Krampus until recently. I grew up with Knecht Ruprecht though, St. Nikolaus' sidekick & he gives coals to the naughty kids instead of sweets/fruits for the nice kids.

[@dnocturn84]

I'm also 40, from the east of Germany and I grew up with exactly the same thing. The people in the south are weird. 😉

[@Zireael83]

i´m 39 and from thüringen and only know nikolaus & weihnachtsmann, not christkind, krampus or frau perchta ^^ (ok...christkind or knecht ruprecht i heard in some chtristmas songs as a child)

[@philiph6456]

We always were threatened with coal if we were bad but that was left by Saint Nicholas-and one year I got coal (I was 8) and cried as my parents laughed....then I got my presents...they said Santa goofed and came back....

[@duit111]

I live in North Rhine-Westphalia (the largest state in Germany) and this tradition is very unknown here. I actually know many traditions that exist in Germany, but KRAMPUS was unknown to me until a few years ago. I think it is also rather an older tradition that in the past few years again enjoys new popularity and is celebrated. Probably by this strong contrast to Santa Claus who represents everything beautiful of the Christmas season. In most regions of Germany there is also a companion of Nicholas and he is called Knecht Ruprecht. He is probably the more harmless version of Krampus. But also has the same task to punish the naughty children.

[@lannifincoris6482]

Nordrhein Westfalen is the first in population and the 4th biggest state by region in Germany, just to be correct 😇

[@hoibsh21]

""I have come to judge the living and the dead especially the naughty."" -- Krampus.

[@breznsalzer7323]

In my village Nikolaus and one of his "Krampaln" visited every house where children lived (as well as the kindergarten, school and christmas market) so you had plenty of opportunities to become acquainted with them. Nikolaus would always carry a huge golden book and read the good and bad deeds of every child, to which the Krampal would react rattling his bells, gnarling or with light hits. Obviously every child's tactic was to appease Nikolaus beforehand by performing songs or poems to make him keep the Krampal in check which worked rather unreliably. If you were really daring you'd visit a christmas market in the Alps on Nikolaus Day, where customs were slightly different and you were fair game to the giant local Krampal population barely controlled by the single Nikolaus which would result in you being rubbed with coal, beaten relentlessly with birch sticks and optionally with your face pressed into the snow until you sufficiently atoned for your terrible sins (or rather the Krampal in question got bored with you). Ah good times All in all i think it's an awesome custom and i'm convinced i'm only so awesome nowadays because the Krampaln saw to my proper behaviour

[@Hepsewind]

In Belgium we also have Sinterklaas in some areas, here he comes at night and the morning of the 6th presents are on the breakfast table. But in other regions there is Saint Martin instead on the 11th of November who is now mostly the same as sinterklaas but traditionally was a roman soldier with red cape but that's only jn a few places anymore.

[@StephEWaterstram]

I nominate Krampus to be the patron Saint of Festivus For The REST OF US!

[@SiegeAyee]

Do you have your pole?!

[@mikeklein1779]

Yes!

[@hotwax9376]

I guess that's appropriate, since Festivus is for airing grievances.

[@cynan1019]

🤣

[@iristio927]

🤣🤣

[@charlottebommelijn9698]

Here in the Netherlands the helper of sinterklaas is called Piet, he traditionally also used to carry a bag and stick to punish the naughty kids. He has been a huge controversy because he looks like a African slave, with black face paint, an Afro and big red lips. In recent years he has started to change and move away from the racial stereotypes with just streaks of black face paint to indicate the sud of the chimney.

[@cocobunitacobuni8738]

and in the Dutch Colony of South Africa we were told thaw Swarte Piet rides in Sinterklaas' bag and will pinch the children who were bad. We never saw him or knew what he looked like.

[@Yulo2000Leyje]

And as a hoby historian : most of this türkish sailers came from the nothern coast of africa and some where from sub-saharan african lands. The rest ist up to speculations and the fact it self was not seen as a racist factor just as unusual.

[@nordwestbeiwest1899]

Ik ken Fietz- Piet en Cadeautjes-Piet maar er zijn er nog veel meer, nietwaar.... 😉

[@matthewmorrisdon5491]

I am Dutch(mom's side) and I never heard Piet had a stick.

[@jbird4478]

@@matthewmorrisdon5491 Yes, well a birch to be precise. This is still in the songs ("wie zoet is krijgt lekkers, wie stout is de roe")

[@richscary]

BIG THANK YOU!!! I lived in Germany for many years (Wiesbaden and Bad Hersfeld) and well aware of St. Nicholas and Krampus... We actually celebrate it at our house because we loved the tradition, but up until watching your video we always thought St. Nicholas from December 6th was a different St. Nicholas that we know as Santa Claus. Thank you again for clearing this up!!!

[@Cupcakiiiii]

I'm German and I've never heard of Krampus before your videos😅 Might be a southern thing only? The Nikolaus always comes alone here 😂 Edit: Minutes after I commented that you literally said that 😂 But yeah I feel like many things Americans know about Germany (or think to know) are literally just Bavarian things

[@numivis7807]

Definitely southern I think, I know that they do it in Austria too so would assume it’s mostly Bavaria/ states near Austria 😄

[@Zireael83]

same with chriskind, only knew the weihnachtsmann ^^ maybe also a southern thing

[@sniperdoc8404]

In the US pretty much everyone associates Bavaria as being "German"... I'm feeling a bit left out as a Hessian. xD Just like every German male wears Lederhosen and dances like a Schuhplattler.

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

Pretty much. We have this idea of a Prussian wearing a pickelhaub and being angry and aggressive and jolly fat Bavarian in lederhosen with a beer in one hand and a pretzel in the other while his hot wife stands beside him in a dirndl. Mostly though the Bavarian image is the one that comes to mind when Americans think of Germans.

[@netakerby2059]

My father's family was from Germany, and he used to tell us of the "Black Santa" who came with St. Nicolas for naughty kids with a bundle of switches and a sour lemon.

[@larrydartel1610]

What about pickle in a tree to find

[@pennisauer2121]

I saw this when it first aired, and laughed til I cried. My husband's family is Catholic German, and they taught me about Krampus. We've taught our kids, too. This is beyond funny.

[@geoffwalker9210]

One of the myriad of fantastic American Dad Christmas Episodes features Krampus, who contrasts with their version of Santa who is a villain. Krampus scares the children because he loves them! Santa just gives them gifts no matter what because he's invested heavily in toys. Also the Venture Brothers Christmas episode features the Krampus, to which Dr Venture asks "What kind of kinky Christmas Spirit is that?" and Dr Orpheus replies "Well, he is Germanic" as if that explains everything.

[@garyp11111]

My father was career US military and when I was a kid we were stationed at the Husterhoeh Kaserne in Pirmasens, Germany. This was in the Rhineland-Palatinate. St. Nicholas’ local enforcer on the eve of December 6 was Hans Trapp. He is also part of the tradition in the Alsace and Lorraine regions of France. Hans Trapp looked like Knecht Ruprecht. He was also based on a local historic figure named Hans von Trotha.

[@reuvenlax4635]

Elf on a shelf isn't much a of a tradition - it comes from a book published in 2005, and somehow it blew up as a "tradition."

[@justinbradley2865]

Yup. I'm a 36 year old American, and never heard of elf on the shelf until I was an adult.

[@paulavoorhees9424]

Just came here to say this. I had never heard of Elf on the Shelf until I was an adult and saw some parents posting about it. I wouldn't call it a tradition. I think it's only been the last 15ish years that I've heard of people doing Elf on the Shelf.

[@hotwax9376]

The book called it a "Christmas tradition," which is really stupid. If you have to call something a tradition in order to get it adopted as one, that's a pretty sad excuse of a tradition IMO, especially if it's cooked up entirely as a marketing scheme (as Elf on the Shelf is). Kids for multiple generations got along with the Santa tradition just fine before Elf on the Shelf came along, and it was just assumed that it was just Santa using his magic to directly watch you ("He see you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake...") That's creepy enough IMO, so why do we need another Christmas snoop to serve as Santa's surrogate? (For an example of something not Christmas-related, I feel the same way about gender reveals; they're stupid and pointless and make a huge deal out of a relatively minor part of pregnancy. Even the lady who created them has since disowned them.)

[@hotwax9376]

@@paulavoorhees9424 Uh-huh, and it's the same with gender reveals. I sometimes wish I could go back to the 90s or very early aughts (like pre-9/11) and just stay there forever, because it seems like our culture has degenerated in so many ways since then. (And before you ask, yes, I am a Millennial.)

[@MollyFC]

I grew up in the 90s and first heard about it I want to say like 10 years ago? Definitely wasn't a thing when I was a kid

[@pendragon2012]

Really burning the midnight oil, eh, Feli? I always remember the scene from The Office when Dwight introduces Belsnickel and says, "He is better than Santa, no one fears Santa." And Jim says, "My favorite part of Christmas--the authority." Always a pleasure! 🙂

[@Sparkman61]

My wife and I happened to be in Marienplatz in Munich a couple of years ago for the Krampuslauf which I highly recommend. It also happened to be a rainy evening so my wife got a big hug for a selfie - Krampus actually smells like a wet dog. Who knew?

[@Cuban20]

Today is also Oslo's Day, where Odin in his incarnation of Oski the giver of gifts and fulfiller of wishes, bestows gifts and grants wishes.

[@ChrisTian-rm7zm]

I come from an area in Baden-Württemberg where Knecht Ruprecht is also called "Pelzmärte". At least the older generation called him that. When I was a little kid in the early 1970ies, the "real Santa Claus from America" once flew in by helicopter and landed on our soccer field. Then he was escorted in a big procession to the center of the village, where he made a speech and gave candy to the children. I think today the municipalities don't have money for such extravagant things anymore.

[@cynan1019]

I'm 55 yrs old and never heard of Krampus until last year. My first reaction was how can someone / something so ugly be associated with Christmas. This helps me to understand. Thank you! And for that matter I didn't know Elf on the shelf meant anything either. I just thought it was another Christmas decoration. LOL

[@j.a.1721]

We also have Perchten here in Austria (Frau Perchta isn't a type of Krampus but one type of Perchte) qnd they are supposed to scare evil spirits away. Maybe that's where the Krampus tradition originated from, but I don't know much about the history of both tradtitions.

[@4school7]

All my grandmother had to do to jerk me back in line, was fix me with a glare and say "Krampus kommen" Her family was from the area south of Munich. I can't count the times I was threatened with switches (the rod), coal or the sack. Granted I was generally a bad little kid, but it was darn sure a thing here in Virginia in my household. :-)

[@ronaldpoppe3774]

Hello Feli. I live here in Cincinnati as well my father's side all came from Germany his mother was first born here. All of my family came from northern Germany so we have Santa Claus we never celebrated Saint Nicholas and I had never heard of Krampus. My father always made German fruit cake we always had presents on Christmas Eve and we never had a pickle in the tree. Only heard of this after I joined the Germania Society but all my friends who are from Germany have never heard of it. Really enjoy your Channel keep up the good work Fröhliche Weihnachten. Ron

[@maschinka_]

I was born and raised in Berlin and I was always fascinated with both Krampus as well as the „alemannische Fastnacht“ which I remember both regularly being shown on TV, like in the news for example, whenever these events were taking place

[@Opforvideo2]

Al Ridenour wrote a book called "Krampus and the Old, Dark Christmas" that's a great source of information about our hairy friend. He was also on an episode of the MonsterTalk podcast and covered more characters like Frau Perchta and the Habergeiß.

[@MrKoalaburger]

I learned about Krampus from The Office lol. And I was shocked to find it wasn't an exaggerated tale.

[@mikeklein1779]

I remember that, and I think Krampus also made an appearance on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

[@wayne00k]

Flula is the most wonderful German trope there could ever be! Also note he is a brilliant person- quickly smart, can read people to connect and is one of only a few who can freely manipulate TWO languages at once to bring joy of laughter. Now, Feli, let me introduce you to Herr Pelsnickel who still lives here in Pennsylvania!

[@Raider_MXD]

Just based on the name I'd guess that the Pennsylvania Dutch brought "Herr Pelsnickel" with them from the Palatinate in Germany. Here that dude is called Belzenickel, but these days he has largely been replaced by the non-reagional mainstream options.

[@j.a.1721]

I feel like Flula really appeals much more to American culture than German culture. Personally I find him rather annoying.

[@carudatta]

Years ago, I introduced a Dutch girl to the Austrian concept of Krampus, and she was kinda shocked. How could we scare our kids with such hairy monsters. Their own Sinterklaas, together with his black-faced assistants, is supposed to take the naughty kids back to his ship and transport them to Spain, where he comes from. That's of course a lot better than the Krampus thing 😂

[@herb6677]

LOL, yes, very much indeed. (At least they got better weather down there in Spain.)

[@EinDeutscherPatriot620]

I'm a Saxon and I plan on moving to Norway, but I'm probably going to do the Krampus tradition versus Piet. It seems like a better tradition, though my neighbors will probably lose their minds XDDD

[@jbird4478]

The blackface guy in The Netherlands is friendly though, and has been for years. The whole kidnapping thing isn't being told anymore. Now he's just a joyful sidekick handing out candy, and singing songs and such.

[@Trip_Fontaine]

Your English is so amazing. I have to listen very closely to even detect the slightest trace of an accent. I've never heard better English from a non-native speaker.

[@amedina.mobile]

And if I may: how incredibly photogenic are you! 😃 It amazes me how well your expression in your thumbnails fits the theme of the video

[@fusion451]

Her warmth is genuine and adorable

[@amedina.mobile]

@@fusion451 Totally agree!

[@christophergraham3160]

Elf on the shelf is used to playfully scare kids into being good for Christmas, of the elf will run back to the North Pole and tell Santa Claus that the children are being naughty.

[@JimAllen-Persona]

Never liked or really understood Elf on the Shelf.. I agree it’s creepy.

[@jrutt2675]

Flula is awesome! He is so funny!

[@antisymmetric237]

I really enjoy watching your videos Feli. They are really interesting, and I love watching your facial expressions and listening to your your voice. You are amazing! Great job.

[@Bioshyn]

Fun story, my mom was scarred for life by a Krampus encounter. My mom grew up after WW2 as refugees from Silesia, so my grand parents didn't have much and she lived in a social housing project with many other refugee families. But one family only had one child which was her best friend but he was a bit spoiled, so one year when St. Nikolaus came to all the children in the house, he brought a chain rattling Krampus with him who picked up that kid, put him in a sack and dragged him out of the house. I believe the kids were about 6 at the time.

[@edwardfitzgerald8330]

The Christmas tradition in Pennsylvania has der Belsnickel, more of a southwestern German character. (Pfälz, Baden, etc.) The good kids get candy, or maybe a walnut or an orange, and the bad kids get smacked with some birch switches. Belsnickel is a "kinder, gentler" figure than Krampus; nobody gets hauled off in a basket, so maybe closer to Knecht Ruprecht.

[@rjoshb]

We got coal if bad, but we were in the coal fields.

[@515aleon]

@@rjoshb I was often given charcoal wrapped up like a gift, but mom was a bit of a prankster. I grew up in Milwaukee with many German traditions. But defintiely not Krampus of even Kenect Ruprecht. Santa allegedly had some of the same tendencies as Knecht Ruprecht.

[@invadertifxiii]

Thays so crazy so many native germans weren't familiar with krampus but all i read is that hes origin is german but ALSO in Austria

[@robertworthington6592]

Griaß God, my name is Robert, and I was stationed in Bavaria in Bad Kissingen as well as Fulda. But my mother comes from Koln and every 2 years we flew back to by grandparents to have St. Nichlastag and had to deal with Krampusnacht as well. Krampus got me into shape at times to be nice. But I loved the parades.

[@SJPace1776]

My memory is how Krampus would take you away if you were really naughty. You'd think back to a lair or magical place, but no, he'd take you to Spain. Not sure why, Spain actually seems pretty nice and I wouldn't mind visiting.

[@Winona493]

"....it's christmassing very much!" 😂

[@timkos2948]

Hi. I'm from Slovenija and by us Krampus is called parkelj. It depends on the region how they are represented. As I know it has its origins in early middle ages in Alpine region.

[@grmpflz]

The similar word PERKELE exists in Finland too and means devil or satan

[@dawnlivingston6236]

I am an American but German descent. I have bits and pieces of German traditions in my family that I didn't realize came from Germany, I just thought it was my family LOL. But the elf on the shelf is sort of a new thing. When I was a kid and I am 61 years old. The elf was just a decoration and it was at style of an elf. For some reason people brought it back and turned it into a thing. So it's not a tradition. But it has become a tradition of people these days. I personally don't like any of the creepy things of Christmas.

[@LickeyWebster]

Louisville, Kentucky has had a Krampus event for the past few years. Always fun!

[@HH-hd7nd]

Krampus is not really a German tradition; it's more of an Austria-Hungarian tradition (most of the countries Feli mentioned in the video that do have Krampus where part of the Austria-Hungarian Empire - with the notable exception of Bavaria). I'm from Schleswig-Holstein and I never even heared about Krampus until I watched a video on KZbin on the topic which was made by a US american living in Bavaria. In the rest of Germany we have Knecht Ruprecht who fullfills a similar role but is not a monster, he is a human.

[@maranon1971]

Maybe you should watch the video, because she explained all of that.

[@R6Vanos]

I am from Germany and I am living here since 34 years, never heard that word "Krampus".

[@ulrikehoffmann6268]

Hi, I am from the Rhine Region and we have Knecht Ruprecht and we (or better say, the kids) believe that the Christkind brings the presents.

[@marrykurie48]

There is Krampus in the south of Germany. In lower saxony at least (where I was born and raised) there is a guy with another name: Knecht Ruprecht. But to be fair: He is quite the same.

[@sleepynightowl1550]

I'm from Schleswig-Holstein but have lived in different parts of lower saxony for over two decades by now. I just recently learned about Krampus from another KZbin video, never heard of him before and I'm glad I didn't. That would have sent me into a fear frenzy as a child. I grew up with Knecht Ruprecht as the helper of Santa Claus. He hadn't a black painted face or anything, just some dirt smeared on and was in working cloth attire that somewhat resembled the clothing that would be worn during the 18th to 19th century working class to show he was hard working. And yes, in my childhood he still was equipped with a rod to punish naughty children.

[@johnfritz8675]

I am 63 and was born here in the US. When I was very young, I do remember being told I had to be good. Or Santa would take me away in a bag. Maybe they said Krampus. I was always uneasy with the Santas in stores, not sure if I would be taken away with the other bad boys and girls. This video brought back some very old memory's, That I had not thought of since I was a child. Frohe Weihnachten

[@515aleon]

I'm 74, I definitely heard about the coal and switches Santa gave to naughty kids. I always got something like that (and presents too), but it was a joke in our family (mom was a bit of a prankster--would wrap a piece of charcoal in wrapping paper). Also got a piece of rotten fruit or something like that.I feel that's a cruel thing and glad it is dying out.

[@brokkrep]

I feel like this is more a Bavarian tradition. At least in BaWü we have Knecht Ruprecht. Never seen amyone dressed as Krampus.

[@Winona493]

As a woman from NRW (Dortmund) I've never heard of Krampus before! We only know Knecht Ruprecht, but he's wayyy different I think. Not that scary at all!!!

[@gscott5062]

In 2018, we got to see the Krampuslauefe in Villach and Klagenfurt. Fantastic experience - don't miss it if you get a chance. Each village had its own Krampusverein with its own sub--species of Krampus (and they can be very different - some like the ones shown in Feli's video, but others like big furry yetis). I understand that you can hire members of some Krampusvereins to come to your house and scare the bejesus out of your kids. At the events we went to, they had an area after the parade where you could take your kids to watch the Krampuses (Krampii?) taking their costumes off, so that they'd know that it was just Sepp from up the valley inside that scary suit.

[@jessecolson4698]

My spouse's grandmother brought the tradition of Knecht Ruprecht with her when she moved to America and had kids, and she still calls to see if our kids were good for Nikolaus or if Knecht Ruprecht put them in a sack this year. She still swears her older sister was put in a sack once when she was little! They were from the North Rhine-Westphalia area (near Dusseldorf). My own family was much further removed from the "old country" (Alsace-Lorraine area around 1850s), and being Catholics in a German-enclave, they celebrated St. Nicholas on his day with Mass. Their traditions were kept, but were subtly woven throughout, and I only learned from your last video about the Advent Wreath, which my family still used, but only for decoration.

[@RockHudrock]

❤ can’t wait to hear about Krampus! I’ve always been curious.🤔

[@randyjennings3075]

As an Ami, who has cosplayed Krampus for years and took part in a Krampuslauf last night, I had to educate my German wife who and what was Krampus. She never heard of him. Just keep in mind that culturally Bayern is closer to the Alpine countries, than Germany itself. Fun video.

[@matthewmarston5149]

Tu know what I do: good kids brush their teeth and bad kids don't, I give both candy

[@ericeric8373]

I love that you had Flula Borg in your video! made my day lol, do more reacting to his accounts of german lifestyle, that would be amazing!

[@TheDarko01]

I am from Hamburg. 30y now and never heard of Krampus before.

[@martinwittauer129]

"Krampus" and "Knecht Ruprecht" are nearly the same. The First is a figure from mostly kathlotic regions, the Second is more Lutheran.

[@KevinDR1987]

As a German who grew up in the Northwestern part of Bavaria (Unterfranken), I have never even heard of Krampus

[@yvonnehorde1097]

Actually, Krampus is more part of Southern German and Austrian Christmas. We do have Knecht Ruprecht in Northrine-Westfalia but Knecht Ruprecht does not really that much play a role, he assits St. Nikolaus.

[@JadedKate]

OMG FLULA !! I LOVE this guy 😅🙈😊 he's got a very quick wit and is very intelligent, he plays up his personality type and cranks it up to 💯 Conan is the perfect counterbalance 😉

[@invadertifxiii]

I was looking for a krampus video from you. I grew up with st. Nicholas day as my adopted mom was polish but never new about krampus til i was older and i just loved learning

[@sjdrjh]

I purchased a German Advent calendar thanks for the promo code. 😉 Now knowing St. Nicolas day is the 6th, the chocolate Santa being behind the 6th door rather than the 25th one makes way more sense.

[@johnwollenbecker1500]

Krampus is my favorite thing about German Christmas season.

[@alexaales7937]

I had never heard of Krampus until i watched the show 'Grimm', in Rheinland-Pfalz we know this character as Knecht Ruprecht, which is also the Simpson's dog's name in the german version (Santa's little helper).

[@susanfudge1737]

Dwight taught us all about German Christmas.

[@brucewellman]

There is a show I really like to watch called Grim based in Portland OR.. One of the episodes was about krampus where he was going to eat the bad children

[@TheMbangel]

That is also the first time I heard about Krampus.

[@h.g.wellington2500]

Elf on the shelf, like Santa Claus, is a gambit to get kids to behave lol

[@FelanLP]

I am from germany and the first time I heard about Krampus was when I heard they made a movie named like this.

[@aresee8208]

Flula just tickles the hell out of me! I think he's clever. As the young people say, YMMV.

[@AKU-hs2rj]

Im Allgäu you have Klausen instead of Krampus. No sack, just sticks and many of them 😂

[@ignazachenbach5406]

Ah, Rupert - my favorite helper of Nicholas.

[@brose2323]

Most of my moms family is Northern Wisconsin German. When we found out about Krampus , my mom just made too much sense. A mom with a battle cry never goes out season. On a lighter note we have a Krampus March in Milwaukee.

[@robertbarnes4887]

Elf on the shelf was made just recently in the 90's and 80's they didn't have elf on a shelf.

[@PunkySpunky]

I don’t think he was made in the 80’s or 90’s because I never heard of him until the 2010’s

[@theonlymoo5e]

I've heard some people say that Krampus was Santa's grumpy brother.

[@sophia2896]

When I was a child, Nikolaus was often accompanied by an angel when he showed up at houses. The angel was an assistant who held the golden book that Nikolaus read from. In his golden book, Nikolaus took notes on the children's behaviour (agreed with the parents in advance) and read them aloud to the children. In the end he summarised and usually came to the conclusion that the children behaved well and deserve a present. Sometimes childred are afraid of Nikolaus and what he is about to tell, so the angel is good to calm them down.

[@pwhite2579]

in addition other comments, Elf on the shelf is 'used' by Santa Claus to keep notes on the kids in the house so they will be of good behavior before he arrives. (checking his list ...). The Elf is moved every night to different places in the house so they won't get used to it one place. Keeps the kids on their toes. Should be used all year!

[@ange3883]

Mom was from Vienna. Grew up with Austrian/Bavarian traditions such as Krampus and Christkind.

[@dannyjessup9978]

Enjoyed this/you so much. Haven't seen you in my feed in a while. Glad you be a spreakin da english aboutin da deutch. Plus, ewe be still lookin fab

[@thomaschristensen7451]

I take part in a 19th century Christmas recreation on a Pennsylvanian German Farm each year and they have a visit from the Belsnickle. Is this a character that you are familiar with and if so is he tamed down version of Krampus or are they both fellow workers with Santa Claus and less badly behaved children get a visit from the Belsnickle while the really bad children get a visit from Krampus?

[@davidbraun6209]

My dad (born in 1917) must not have heard of Krampus from his father (immigrant arriving in the US in 1898 from around the southeast end of Oberpfalz, near the Czech border), so I didn't know about Krampus until about a couple of years ago. I grew up with a largely American Catholic Christmas, where we did put up a crèche along with a Christmas tree (put up on Christmas Eve or the 23d at the earliest), and the 6th was just another day in December.

[@MagnoliaZone]

As far as I know St. Nicolas Day is also very big in Luxembourg and they get the big presents there. My father is from there and always complained that he'd only get presents once a year, since he was born on the 6th december (and conveniently named after St. Nicolas).

[@eltronics]

Here n the States, Santa is both good (providing presents) and bad (no presents, coal in your stocking). Elf-on-the-shelf is relatively new. It began in 2005, fifty years after I was a kid. Before that we were told "Santa knows when you're naughty or nice."

[@in_wino_veritas]

loool, I got an ad depicting a creator of Krampus masks running before this video.

[@natashaw401]

Herd of Krumpas like more background than just movies

[@user-ok1vf6qx4k]

The Krampus is definitely a Bavarian and Austrian thing...and from what I read here...an Hungarian one.

[@nicschu456]

I remember as a kid I once went for Krampus(which was my aunt, but I of course didn`t know )trying to make some fun and take away my mum. I was desperate and hit and cried...After that my family never had a Krampus again😉

[@derAbsurde]

We get chased by them as a kid.... and when sometimes they were very drunken they punched us..... they called perchten and look more terrifying the krampus..... its a lovely tradition But as an adult i really love this tradition i am from upper austria ❤

[@quintrankid8045]

Krampus is probably nice once you get to know him and he'll give you a fun ride in his bag.

[@quintrankid8045]

@Felifromgermany1- I don't have telegram.

[@jwhiskey242]

Elf on the shelf is something that just started in the last 10 years or so - at least in the Northeast. The only thing I can remember is that Santa made his first appearance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. After that you went to one of the big department stores to tell Santa what you wanted and pose for a picture. In rural or suburban areas sometimes, Santa would ride through areas on a fire truck so kids could see him - obviously well before Christmas eve.

[@mitchyoung93]

I didn't even know about it other than the movie. Don't know if the movie is based on the alleged tradition or vice versa.

[@CO84trucker]

Back in my childhood, my family would do a St Nicholas Day get-together and two grownups would be dressed as St Nick & the Krampus. St Nick had a rap sheet on all the kids and upon hearing their misdeeds, Krampus would terrorize us children. One year, my 8-9 yr old nephew knew something was off when he noticed Krampus was wearing his mother's boots! Also during housecleaning sometime later, I told my father that I found the costumes in storage.... he kindly told me not to tell the nieces & nephews!