This week with our awesome Hungarian teacher Zsuzsi we learnt all about Hungarian Christmas traditions - in particular how Hungary celebrates St Nicholas Day or as they call it "Mikulás Nap."
What Is St. Nicholas Day In Hungary?
A Quick Guide to Hungarian Christmas
- St Nicholas is called Mikulás in Hungary, this is also their name for Father Christmas;
- Their other name for Father Christmas is Télapó, literally "Winter Father" - a name brought in by the Soviets as it sounded 'less Christian';
- On the 6th December children get chocolate and other gifts (traditionally tangerines and peanuts) in their boots from Mikulás (the boots are supposed to be put on the windowsills or near the entrance door the night before);
- Mikulás comes to the school and is told by the teacher who is naughty and who is nice, he then discussing this with the children (e.g. "Tanbay, stop picking on Laura", "Laura you've been so good this year");
- Mikulás (and this is the part we find super weird), is accompanied by one or two 'Krampusz' elves (yepp, the 2015 horror film Krampus is based on this mythical charater): two normal, evil helpers who have a special whip to hit the bad children with (?) I spoke to some of our Hungarian friends about this - some say it's two evil Krampus elves, others said one is evil and one is good, and one person even said that the Krampus can be sexy? Lol.
- On Christmas Eve, 24th December, 'Jézuska' (that's right, Baby Jesus, not Santa) brings more presents... according to some other other Hungarians, it's the 'Angyalka' (a 'Little Angel');
- Hungarians open their presents on Christmas Eve.
Differences Between Hungarian and German Christmas
Differences Between Hungarian and British Christmas
Wrap Up: How Hungary Celebrates St Nicholas Day
ABOUTME
We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.
Disqus Comment
Facebook Comment