pennsylvaniaparanormal:BelsnickelingThe practice of Belsnickeling, or urban Belsnickeling, is a Chri

pennsylvaniaparanormal:BelsnickelingThe practice of Belsnickeling, or urban Belsnickeling, is a Christmas Eve tradition among the Pennsylvania German that has sadly died out in recent years. Similar to Halloween Trick-or-Treat and drawing influence from the mummers, the practice involved dressing up in costumes and going around to gather treats.From the 1800s up until the 1920s, a common tradition for Pennsylvania youths was Belsnickeling. Groups of young adults or teenagers would dress up in costumes with masks, and go around to neighbors’ houses to perform songs and dance. In return, they would receive treats. The tradition became so widespread as Pennsylvanians emigrated to other areas of the US, that shopkeepers in Dutch Country reported that they sold more masks during Christmastime than during Halloween. The name comes from the Belsnickel figure in PA German folklore, who also appears around Christmastime to give gifts rather than receive them. The practice of urban Belsnickeling died out during the Depression.  -- source link
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