Winni, Santa Claus: 55 years full of children's joy and bizarre wishes!

Winni, Santa Claus: 55 years full of children's joy and bizarre wishes!

On December 6th, St. Nicholas Day is celebrated in many regions of Germany and Austria, a day on which good children are surprised with sweets and small gifts in their boots. The tradition has its roots in the 3rd century with Saint Nicholas of Myra, who became known for his charity and helpfulness. He is revered as the patron saint of children and his story includes numerous legends, such as helping sailors in distress at sea or secretly giving gold pieces to needy fathers who wanted to marry off their daughters according to their status. [NDR].

Herbert Schütze, better known as “Winni”, has been acting as Santa Claus for an incredible 55 years. His journey began in 1971 with home visits before becoming Santa Claus at the local Christmas market. Originally he rode in a carriage, but today he visits the children in a red car. The Santa costume he wears is the same one he has used for 55 years, and Winni brings not only gifts but also stories about the real Santa Claus, who attended the Council of Nicaea as Bishop of Myra. [Merkur].

Traditions and expectations

In many Catholic regions of Germany and Austria, children clean their shoes on the evening of December 5th and put them outside the door in the hope that Santa Claus will fill them with sweets and small gifts. This tradition has a long history and is particularly evident on St. Nicholas Day when children find little treats in their shoes. They often have to recite poems or sing songs to earn the gifts German Girl in America.

Winni notices an interesting development in children's wishes: in the past it was mainly toys that they wanted, whereas today technical devices are very popular. During Santa's visits, the children still sing songs like “Let's be happy and cheerful”. One memorable experience was a visit during which he watched in horror as the child's father sat disinterestedly in front of the television while his child waited with anticipation for Santa Claus. Such experiences make him think about the future of the custom.

Santa Claus in society

Winni, who also works as a deacon, emphasizes that saints like Nicholas should be role models for charity and social responsibility. He expresses concerns that Santa Claus could be less present in the future if traditional festivals are no longer celebrated in a big way. However, young people seem to be increasingly interested in the stories of the saints, particularly those who stood up against injustice. St. Nicholas is not only perceived as a figure of giving, but also as a symbol of helpfulness and charity.

As tradition shows, Nicholas has taken on many facets over the centuries. In Bavaria, for example, he is often accompanied by Krampus, a darker figure who punishes naughty children, while in other regions Knecht Ruprecht acts as a companion, bringing gifts for good children and threatening naughty ones with a rod. This mixture of joy and a slight shudder makes the St. Nicholas tradition a special experience for the little ones and has its place in Bavarian culture.

Winni will continue to do his best to fulfill the role of Santa Claus with dedication and passion so that the valuable traditions remain alive.