As we approach Christmas, we are reminded of the ever prominent German influence on our county. Many traditions that we hold dear can be traced back to those European forefathers who laid the groundwork for a truly Dutch Perry County Christmas. Children would celebrate, people would gather, and the hearth would be ablaze with not only fire but Christmas warmth and cheer to brighten the season. The dusky orange glow illuminated the frosty, stark winter landscape through the windows of the simple country homes. Smoke billowed through the chimneys as Christmas gifts lie waiting indoors to be opened on that special day. Christmas was a time of kinship, but also a time of preparation for the new year ahead. So, as the shadows began to grow, the German settlers began to prepare for the holiday season ahead. The early settlers all had their own twist on the holiday, but all revolved around good cheer and spirit.
Second Christmas
One practice that many Amish still practice is celebrating Christmas twice, once Christmas day and then again on the 26th. The first recorded second Christmas was published in a Lancaster-based newspaper in 1808. It started as an early 19th-century practicality due to the large numbers of people in Amish groups and families of the day. This allowed many different Dutch families to be able to celebrate Christmas together, just maybe one day after.
Christmas Trees: Up or Down?
Most early German families had Christmas trees during the holiday season, but some families “placed” their trees a little differently than most. Germans began the tradition of having a Christmas tree with them when they immigrated to the United States. However, some Germans hung their tree from the ceiling. This was done to prevent mice and rats from eating the mostly edible ornaments and decorations on the tree. This included a dried apple garland called the “snitz” which hung around the tree. It would be rare to find this tradition still thriving in Perry County in non-Amish or Mennonite houses, but you can still find upside-down trees in parts of Lancaster County in the previously mentioned group's homes.
The Arrival of Belsnickel
On a small German farm in Perry County, an unexpected knock on the door is heard on an early cold December evening. Silence, the children in the house are still. Suddenly, a heinous booming voice demands to be let in. The children yell, “Der Belsnickel,” announcing Belsnikel’s arrival. Typically, the children run and hide and the parents have to wrangle them in front of the Belsnickel, usually portrayed by an uncle or grandfather. The children had every right to be afraid. The Belsnickel was usually dressed in furs, was often dirty, and carried a switch. The switch was used for punishment if the child was deemed naughty during the course of the previous year. If the child was deemed good, then the child may receive a small gift and be told to recite a prayer. If the child was caught lying in any way, the switch would come out. Belsnickel’s appearance around the holidays is still practiced throughout the state, but punishments are obviously much more relaxed.
The Putz
The putz was the German equivalent to the modern-day nativity scene. Every German household would have a putz beside their tree. It was used to teach younger kids the story of Christ and his birth. The putz was often of very crude design, being made of clay, sticks, and
other natural materials. The putz was not the only thing left beside the trees. Often, an empty plate and a basket of small gifts for the Grishkindel (Christ Child) would be left under the tree. The plate was left in the hopes that Grishkindel would give some sweet treats back to the children for their offering. The Christmas trees that the presents were under were sometimes not real pines. Occasionally, some German households purchased feather trees which were, as the name suggests, trees made out of feathers. The trees were invented in the mid-1800s and fell out of style after World War II.
Dying Eggs
While the practice of dyeing eggs has become a predominantly Easter tradition, it was originally associated with Christmas time. Early German settlers in Pennsylvania used onion skins to dye eggs for the holiday Season. The eggs would either be eaten right away for a festive treat or used for decoration on their Christmas trees. In Lancaster, where there is another strong German influence, pretzels were adorned on the trees for yet another edible decoration. Trees were typically put up a couple of days before Christmas, so the eggs and other decorations would not have the chance to spoil.
A Not So German Tradition
Christmas pickle has long been thought of as a deeply rooted German holiday tradition that stretches back millennia, but it may not be the case. The Christmas pickle is a game where children are tasked with finding a small green ornament resembling a pickle on a Christmas tree. The first child to find the ornament usually gets a small gift or is told they will receive good luck in the coming year. Though the notion that this has German roots falls into question. The most likely story for its creation was a savvy businessman at Woolworth’s, a 5 cent store started in PA, trying to get rid of glass fruit and vegetable ornaments at the store. He made a game out of it, and shoppers gobbled them up. German groups, being quite fond of the game, adopted the activity into their own Christmas traditions, bringing many to, later on, associate the game with them. The rest is supposedly history. The story of the Christmas pickle is still debated, but the thing anyone could agree upon is that it is certainly an exciting activity on a day already filled with so much excitement.
While many of these traditions may not be as popular as they once were, they all revolve around having a good holiday and spending time with family. So if you spend time with family and friends this holiday season, you may want to consider implementing these Perry County and truly Pennsylvania traditions into your festivities. Have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Works Cited
J.C. Lee, jlee@pennlive.com. (2016, December 19). 18 Pa. holiday traditions: Belsnickel, Moravian stars, boilo and pork on New Year’s Day. Pennlive. https://www.pennlive.com/life/2016/12/oyster_stew_on_christmas_eve_p.html
T. (2021, October 27). Explore Unique Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas Traditions. The Markets at Shrewsbury. https://www.marketsatshrewsbury.com/blog/pennsylvania-dutch-christmas/
Pennsylvania Dutch Traditions. (n.d.). Byers Choice LTD. https://www.byerschoice.com/christmas-traditions/pennsylvania-dutch
Lancaster County Holiday Traditions. (2021, November 10). Discover Lancaster. https://www.discoverlancaster.com/blog/lancaster-county-holiday-traditions/#:%7E:text=Early%20Pennsylvania%20Dutch%20Christmas%20traditions,in%20Lancaster%20is%20a%20pretzel.