The first snowflakes have fallen, and the nights are longer. Shops are decorated with bright lights, and the lines at the Post Office are becoming intimidating. It’s a time of year when the focus shifts to childlike enthusiasm over stars, trees, and holiday parties. Although neither Hanukkah nor Christmas begin until the end of the month, we can spend the entire month of December enjoying the preparation and celebrating.

Many families enjoy observing St. Nicholas Day on December 6. In the United States, those who celebrate generally have their children leave out a pair of shoes to be filled with candy or a small toy while they sleep. In Europe, though, there is not just the reward for politeness, but consequence for poor behavior. Naughty children in Germany receive not treats, but a stick in their shoes.

Elsewhere in Europe, St. Nicholas is often accompanied by a much more intimidating character. Referred to as Rupert, or Black Peter, depending on the country, he is a small, imp-like fellow who imparts beatings, or threats thereof, to willful or deviant tots. Krampus, a more demonic-looking beast, accompanies St. Nicholas in Austria, and is said to carry off the truly awful children in his sack.

In France, you can find Père Fouettard, who is also called “slapping Santa” or “Whipping Father,” carrying a whip to deter naughty ones.

Later in December, on the 13th, Scandinavian and Italian families celebrate Santa Lucia. You’ll find Waldorf Schools celebrating it here in the States, with one girl being selected to go through the classrooms in a white dress, wearing a wreath of candles on her head, and the students all sharing traditional Santa Lucia bread. Here’s a recipe if you’d like to try this for yourself:

Santa Lucia Bread

Stir all of these things together in a large bowl:
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon yeast
1 tablespoon turmeric, or saffron, for color

Add:
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon salt
2 to 4 cups of flour to make a soft dough

Knead; keep the dough on the soft side. Add currants or raisins if you like those. Shape into S-shaped buns, let rise until doubled and then bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until golden. Once cooled, you can frost them or just eat with honey butter.
An interesting Swedish tradition—Lussinatta—coincides with the Feast of Santa Lucia. This is a Pagan event, originally intended to be held on the night of the Solstice, or longest night of the year. The Lussi is a terrible witch or monster riding forth this night with a host of trolls, ghosts, and goblins, called the Lussiferda, to cause all sorts of mischief and trouble. It is said to be extremely dangerous to be caught outside during Lussinatta. Lussi also is rumored to come down the chimney late at night to snatch away poorly behaved children. Additionally, if a family has not properly prepared for the winter season, and Yule in particular, she is said to punish the entire household for their laziness. The protection for these dangers is to hold a loud party until dawn!
Whether your favorite holiday is Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or even Festivus, à la Jerry Seinfeld, December is a month of both revelry and intimate family times. To balance out the madness of extra traffic and social activities, consider turning off electronics one evening. Focus instead on being together: talking, taking a walk, baking, even playing board games. This together time can surprise you, becoming the highlight of the season.
As always, we at A Votre Service! here in the Hamptons stand at the ready to help you with your holiday preparations and clean-up. Call us for your house cleaning and house watching needs.

Amitiés,

Jocelyne