BOLDOG KARACSONYO UNNEPEKETI

ONE OF MY CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Like many Americans of Hungarian ancestry, I also have Slovak and Germans in Hungary relatives.

One of my Aunts was of Slovak heritage.  We used to stop by her house to visit during the holidays, if only for a couple hours, as we had so very many relations to visit.  Under her tree was a statue.  It was Santa Claus, in red suit, hat in hand, as he knelt down to visit the newborn Jesus.  My aunt had it there to remind her children that Jesus was more important than Santa Claus.

WINTER WONDERLAND - U.S. NAVY BAND

DEER

KRAMPUS IS COMMING TO GET YOU!

One of my Hungarian aunts told me that one  year her sons were so bad that Santa Claus came and took the toys back...but maybe it was Krampus who snuck into the closet and took them away?

MERRY CHRISTMAS

BECOMING SANTA : MAGYAR AMERICAN FILM REVIEW

How does Santa get all his work done?  This is a documentary film about the process that some people, mostly men, go through to properly represent Santa.  It includes an ongoing interview of a graduate of a special Santa Claus School, where the students are told that to children of a certain age, the excitement of meeting Santa is like a fan meeting a rock star.  There they learn the best way to fulfill the role. Such as, not making promises they canot keep. And yes there are conventions for full bearded men to compare notes.

Meanwhile, there's a look back to the development of Santa Claus.  Did he always wear a red, white fur trimmed coat?  Was he always fat and jolly?  Was it a Coke-a-Cola ad that introduced us to the man we expect down our chimney with toys?

The history of Santa Claus goes back to Saint Nicholas, born rich, who gave much of his fortune away to people who needed the extra help. In the United States, Santa is a hit by the Civil War era when he makes the Harpers Magazine cover and is suggested to be on the side of the Union. This is a black and white etched look figure, not so fat.  In Austria and other European Countries, his visits coincide with the visit of a darker character, a mean, even evil character who can punish children for bad behavior.

Are you ready to take your holiday decorations out of the attic and start to deck the halls?  Watch this one before you begin, while you have some hot chocolate and grilled cheese, and take your ornaments out of the tissue paper.  Santa's sincerity will grab your heart and maybe even bring a little tear to your eye.