Gift-Giving Style:
Unlike many holiday gift-givers, the Christkind is never actually seen. Gifts are exchanged to honor the spirit of the Magi bringing gifts to the baby Jesus, but Christkind himself doesn't ever make an appearance, and children are often told that he disappeared just moments for they arrived.
Country: Germany, Austria, Argentina, United States - "Belsnickel"
Belsnickel is a legendary figure who accompanies Santa Claus in certain regions of Europe, as well in some small Dutch communities in Pennsylvania. Like the Krampus in Germany and Austria or La Pere Fouettard in France, the role of the Belsnickel is to be the main disciplinarian of Santa's entourage. He's usually depicted as a mountain man-style figure with fur covering his body, and he occasionally wears a mask with a long tongue. Unlike Santa, who was designed to be beloved by children, Belsnickel is generally a character to be feared, and in most regions he is employed as a sort of warning to coerce kids into being good.
Gift-Giving Style:
Although Belsnickel generally
comes off as a negative figure,
in some regions he is also
known to give gifts. In Germany,
for example, well-behaved kids
are given candy and small gifts
on Dec. 6, the feast day of St. Nicholas.
Naughty children, on the other hand, are given coal or switches, and in some places they may even receive a visit from the Belsnickel himself, who will warn them that they should be on their best behavior.