THE VOLGA GERMANS IN PORTLAND
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People > Stories > Children’s Christmas Traditions
Marie Trupp Krieger, a long-time resident of Portland, grew up on an Odessa area farm and graduated from Odessa High School and Washington State University.  Marie wrote the following narrative for the 1984 Christmas program of the Oregon Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR).

​Children’s Christmas Traditions

By Marie Trupp Krieger

​The Christmas season is designated as the highlight of the calendar year for our children's traditions. This afternoon we want to acquaint you with individualities dressed in holiday garb representative of the customs of our German-Russian children in Germany, Russia and America.  Offspring are introduced to them at a very early age as parents speak of them in the disciplining of their sons and daughters; such as, “Be good, behave yourself” or the Christkind won't bring you any goodies for Christmas; or the Pelznickel will come, stuff you into a gunny sack and carry you away.  In America, it is said, “Santa will come to bring you presents if you are a ‘good’ boy or a ‘good’ girl.”  This works especially well as the Christmas season draws near.

First, we'll have the Christkind who will appear as the fairy of glad tidings awaiting your performances and to welcome all of you to do your very best.  It was customary in Russia for a young girl to be dressed in white, her face hidden by a veil and accompanied by a few boys and girls to go from house to house in search of all the good little children.  It announced its arrival by appearing at the window and ringing a small bell.  The greatly excited siblings were filled with the mixed emotion of joy and apprehension because she not only brought gifts and goodies, but also carried a switch for the youngsters who had been disobedient and naughty. 

The second personality for you to welcome on this early specified holiday, the first Sunday of Advent, represents the Pelznickel, a “Nickolas in Fur”.  Notice his fur coat (actually a horse's hide with the original hair), a fur hat and felt boots.  This is a borrowed article belonging to the Libsack family for many years already as, my Uncle purchased it in Odessa, Washington in 1915.  In order to survive the harsh winters of long ago, men had to dress accordingly.  The Feltstiefel (felt boots) were brought from Russia many years ago and used occasionally during that time for warmth and comfort; felt is a good insulator and water resistant material used before the manufacture of rubber for footwear.  The Pelznickel carries a gunny sack and rattles his chain because he's looking for unruly children who don't respect or mind their parents. I really think he's going to be disappointed today because all of you have been on your best behavior but we'll wait and see what happens.  

Finally, you are more accustomed to the character, Santa Claus, who will come after our program is over; he will distribute a brown bag containing an orange, candy and nuts' which is traditional. Just ask your parents and grandparents about Christmas Eve at their churches when they were little and received a brown bag; such goodies were rare but so appreciated.

Source

Story written by Marie Trupp Krieger and is used with her permission.
Last updated November 6, 2016.
Copyright © 1998-2023 Steven H. Schreiber
  • Home
    • About This Website
    • Reviews
  • History
    • Historical Timeline
    • Migration to Russia
    • Emigration from Russia
    • Settlement in America
    • Migration to Portland
    • Little Russia
    • A Short History of Albina
    • World War I
    • The Volga Relief Society >
      • Portland Volga Relief Society Subscribers 1921
    • World War II
    • Assimilation and Dispersion
  • Beliefs
    • Churches >
      • Albina Seventh-day Adventist Church
      • First United Mennonite Baptist Church
      • Ebenezer German Congregational Church
      • Free Evangelical Brethren Church >
        • German Evangelical Congregational Brethren Church
      • Second German Baptist Church
      • St. Pauls Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • Second German Congregational Church >
        • Evangelical Congregational Church
      • Zion German Congregational Church >
        • Rivercrest Community Church
    • Pastors
    • The Brethren
    • Denominations >
      • German Reformed Church
      • German Evangelical Synod of North America
      • Evangelical and Reformed Church
      • German Congregational Church
      • Seventh-day Adventists
      • United Church of Christ
  • People
    • Our People
    • Notables
    • Pioneers 1881-1892
    • Stories
    • Photographs
    • Help Identify These People
  • Community
    • Characteristics
    • Businesses >
      • Bakeries Retailers and Services
      • Garbage Haulers
      • Grocery and Meat Markets
      • Restaurants >
        • Helsers on Alberta
        • McCormick & Schmicks
        • Wildwood
      • Saloons and Taverns
      • Suppliers and Manufacturers
    • Employers
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Maps
    • Documentary
  • Traditions
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    • Folk Medicine
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    • Holidays
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    • Funerals and Burial Sites
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