Father Frost is 6 inches tall. He is wearing a long red robe with dark green glitter trim and gold collar with red glitter decorations and green glitter trim. His cap is red with gold and red glitter dots and the cuff is identical to the collar on his robe. Under the red robe is another gold robe tied with a gold glitter sash. There is off white iridescent glitter at the bottom of the gold robe and his mittens are gold. He has white iridescent glitter in his hair, beard, eyebrows and mustache. He is holding a small tree sprinkled with white snow like flakes and a small brown and gold chest. Painted on the right front portion of his robe is small girl with gold shirt and white scarf. On the left side is a teddy bear with a white scarf. This ornament was made in Germany by Krebs Glas. Select this link to view our Old World Father Christmas Ornaments.
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 Ornament Sets.
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. Select this link to view our Santa Ornaments.
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 Miniature Ornaments.
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 Glass Snowman Ornaments.
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 Artificial Prelit Trees.
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 Christmas Tree Toppers.