Father Christmas is 6 inches tall. He is wearing a beautiful long, red robe with gold glitter around the cuffs and edges and a red hat with off white iridescent glitter around the cuff. He has the same off white iridescent glitter on his beard and mustache. He has a soft gold robe under the red one that has dark red glitter around the edges. He is holding a baby doll in his right arm and a small pine tree decorated with red glitter in his left arm. There is fine, sugar like, white glitter that looks like it is coming from under the gold robe. This ornament was made in Germany by Krebs Glas. Select this link to view our Old World Father Christmas Ornaments.
Krebs Glas Lauscha
Well over a hundred years ago in the small village of Lauscha in the middle of Germany the glass Christmas tree decoration was born. This precious art of glassblowing started from here it’s triumphal march all over the world. Still today the most beautiful patterns and designs that decorate the Christmas trees worldwide are developed here. The family Krebs brought the Bohemian art of glasswork to Thuringia. In the Krebs Glas Collection special handcrafted pieces can be found especially desired as collectables.
The Legend of Saint Nikolaus
In German speaking countries and Holland and Belgium as well, December 6th is the most distinctive children's festival of the year. St. Nikolaus Eve is a time of festive stir, it is a time of whispers and giggles, and of heavy steps on the stairs. Shops are full of many shaped biscuits, gilt gingerbreads, sugar images, toys and other little gifts. Select this link to view our Miniature Ornaments.
It is not easy to uncover the historic facts about Saintt Nikolaus, the fourth century Greek bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, who died on December 6th, 343. In Eastern Europe, Southern Italy and among the Greeks, he is revered most of all as the patron saint of seafaring men.
In many regions, the festivities originally attributed to the gift giving St. Nikolaus have been transferred to Christmas, yet in Western and Southern Germany, in Austria, Switzerland, and the Low Countries, December 6 remains a day of joy for children. Select this link to view our Artificial Prelit Trees.
When evening comes, St. Nikolaus, a reverend grey haired figure with flowing beard, will knock on doors and enquire about the behavior of the children. The custom of examining the children, where they will deliver a verse, sing, or otherwise show their skills, is still widespread in some countries. Select this link to view our Christmas Tree Toppers.
St. Nikolaus traditions vary as widely from region to region as his guise and name. He appears as Ruhklas, Pelznickel, Klasbur, etc. He is afoot or astride a white horse, a mule, or even a goat. Select this link to view our Christmas Books.
St. Nikolaus also appears together with St. Peter, an angel, and the Christ child. As the splendor of the candle lit Christmas tree and emphasis on the birth of Christ, began to shift the function of the gift giving St. Nikolaus, Knecht Ruprecht became the servant and companion of the Christchild. In this role Ruprecht became the patron saint of Christmas and was called "Weihnachtsmann," literally Christmas Man, Father Christmas or Santa Claus. Select this link to view our Glass Snowman Ornaments.