The Czech Santa Claus appears in two ways: as Svatý Mikuláš, or Saint Nicholas, and Ježíšek, or Baby Jesus. Take a look at the ways in which Czech Christmas traditions involving Santa Claus differ from those of the Wild West.
Saint Nicholas
Svatý Mikuláš, the Czech Saint Nick, is usually dressed in the bishop’s white robe and wears a majestic white beard. Accompanied by an angel (who has lowered Saint Nicholas to Earth from heaven in a basket that carries a golden rope aloft) and a demon, Svatý Mikuláš brings gifts to children on the eve of Saint Nicholas, which is observed On December 5th. The angel is the good representative of children; the devil the representative of bad children. Children experience both the pleasure of receiving gifts and the thrill of a friendly fright.
If you are visiting Prague or another city in the Czech Republic on this day, you can see Saint Nicholas and his companions on the way to give gifts to children. The angel, complete with wings and a halo, usually hands out candy, while the demon, who wears a pitchfork or rattling chains, serves as a reminder that bad children can be taken to hell – all great fun, of course. . Children are sometimes asked about their behavior in the past year, or as in the past, they can recite a poem or sing a short song in exchange for sweets and other treats.
This cool Santa Claus and his helpers can accept a drink from parents once their homework is done, particularly in Prague’s Old Town, which is one of the favorite places to celebrate the night of December 5 with the three Christmas characters. Look for St. Nick and his helpers at Christmas markets in the Czech Republic.
Children can also receive small gifts from family members for this day. As in other parts of the world, a stocking can be hung up and filled with candy, small toys, or other gifts. In the past, these treats consisted of walnuts and oranges, but parents have since updated their offerings to reflect today’s sensibilities. Of course, the threat of coal is a good reminder for children to be on their best behavior on this day.
baby Jesus
Czech children receive more gifts from Ježíšek, or Baby Jesus, on Christmas Eve. This tradition has been part of Czech culture for 400 years. Parents help create a day full of magic by banishing the children from the room in which the Christmas tree resides. They decorate the tree, place the gifts under it, and ring a bell. The bell signals to the children that Baby Jesus has visited their home with a beautiful tree and fun gifts.
Like Santa Claus, Baby Jesus has a residence where children can send letters. But unlike West Santa, Baby Jesus does not live at the North Pole. Instead, he lives in the mountains, in the city of Boží Dar. The Czech Republic has put its own spin on Santa Claus, which can be enjoyed by both children and adults. In fact, although attempts to popularize western Santa have spread awareness about the jolly old man in the red velvet suit, Czechs take pride in the tradition of the Infant Jesus.
