Title: Christkind

General Information about Item:

• Customary Folklore: Legend

• German

• Germany

Informant Data:

• Alex is a Dartmouth 20 who grew up in the United States, however both of his parents lived most of their lives in Germany.

Contextual Data:

• Social Context: Almost everyone who celebrates Christmas has a Christmas story that they believe in. These are typically told to children around the holiday times in order to create a festive mood and make everyone excited for Christmas. As the kids grow up, they begin to lose their belief in these legends because they start to realize that there parents were the source of the gifts.       However these legends remain a large source of the classic Christmas symbols and festive decorations for all ages even though the legends are no longer believed to be true.

• Cultural Context: The “Father Christmas” figure varies greatly between different cultures – changing primarily due to religious and geographical differences. In the United States it is typically Santa, though people from other cultures who have parents from other cultures may also believe in a different legend.

Item:

• Alex also has a Christmas legend of the Christkind which he shared. This is a little child that delivers presents to children around the holidays. It was primarily a religious figure that brings gifts to families and kids.

Collector’s Comments:

• The Christkind is a little child that brings presents to children in Germany and other European countries like Austria. It is derived from a religious figure and can find its roots from “little Jesus.” It is interesting to note that there are three multiple figures recognized by some cultures. They believe in the Christkind, Belsnickel, Krampus and St. Nicholas in some parts of Europe.

Collector’s Name: Alec Vaules

Tags/Keywords:

• Christmas, Christkind, Tradition, Legend