Nikolo

Happy Nikolaustag! On the night of December 5, children in Germany and Austria (as well as other European countries) shine their shoes and set them outside the door with the hope that Nikolo will bring them some goodies. Nikolaus (known to us Americans as Saint Nick, hence the bishop's hat in the picture) sometimes comes accompanied by Krampus, a horned creature in a sheepskin outfit, who brings the naughty children a bundle of twigs (for spanking).
In Austria, it has become popular to have a "Krampus Lauf", a sort of town party with outdoor stands with hot drinks and snacks and a "parade" of Krampi, youth of the town decked out in sheepskins, wooden carved masks with horns and pointed tongues and leather bells with giant cowbells. These scary figures run down the street, scaring any children that happen to be around, and they also beat people on the legs with their switches. Krampus is some sort of hold over from a pagan ritual that drove out evil winter spirits.

Nikolo brought Julian some traditional treats: walnuts, apples, mandarines, dates and figs. We will have to eat those for him and he can enjoy the teething biscuits. He looks tired in this picture.