One reason I'm behind in the holidays is that I've been having some fun. And that, my friends, is a good thing!
One jolly time was the visit from my friend Suzanne, who lives in Canada. We have been friends since high school theatre and visits either direction are mandatory! So, when she comes at the holidays, we have to go shopping!
These windows are from a favorite shop in nearby Mason called Keans. They have wonderful gifts and vintage candy!
Then we headed to Lansing's Old Town where we bought Michigan-made products at Old Town General Store and headed to the glorious Bradly's Home and Garden.
They were decorated to the hilt. Check out a closer look at my favorite of their many trees with the cute red and white theme.
I liked this display, too.
I found a couple of things. Suzanne was on a roll!
Oh, I love Christmas trees!
We also met up with another friend from high school in Mt. Pleasant. Julie lives up north and it was a perfect meeting spot! We had a an absolutely wonderful time catching up over a very long lunch! (And Julie makes amazing cookies!)
After Suzanne left (and Rick returned from his trade show) he and I joined friends Mark and Jan to head back to Old Town for their first Krampusnacht event.
This was the first year of the event that focuses on Krampus -- a very un-Santa-like character from European folklore. Its roots date back to pre-Germanic paganism, the son of a Norse god of the underworld, Hel. Krampus resembles the devil with his hairy, mangled body, a deranged face with bloodshot eyes and giant horns -- half goat, half demon.
His "partner in festivities" is St. Nicholas. Traditionally, they work hand in hand on December 5 (Krampus) and 6 (St. Nick), with St. Nicholas rewarding the good children with gifts or treats and Krampus punishing the bad, beating them with switches or taking them away. A friend working in a gallery said that night was their best day of the season.
The festival was good fun and surprisingly packed with people -- we agreed we hadn't seen that many people in one spot in Lansing in ages! The merchants had to be thrilled with so many wandering into stores. (Even if they didn't buy anything that night, my guess is that they'll be back during the holiday season for shopping!)
There were some fun activities, too, for both adults and children.
We were all enjoying some fire dancers who twirled fire sticks and "ate" the fire.
Quite impressive! (Don't do this at home.)
There was a Misfits market (regrettably, too badly lit and too crowded to see the merchandise, but a good idea for future events) and the Krampus parade, which took place on the crowded sidewalk, as various costumed creatures passed down the narrow path between the crowd, occasionally "tormenting" children in a reminder to be good.
Lots of the Krampus and other costumed figures posed with the kids, who seemed delighted that it was all in good fun! And some of the costumes were very elaborate!
While the event had the potential to be scary for kids, I didn't see a tear, just lots of big eyes and happy laughter.
They knew St. Nick was there, too. Maybe that's why they were on good behavior!
So, I hope that today I am leaving you with a bit of a smile.
Enjoy the season spending time with friends and doing new things.
And remember -- be good! Krampus may be finished for this year -- but I have a feeling he remembers!
Sharing with: Friday Face Off / Love Your Creativity
50 comments:
...you found plenty of eye candy in the Christmas shops. I'm not sure if Krampus is my kind of thing! ☃️ 🎄 ❄️ 🎅🏼
Did Susanne get to attend that fun festival? Whatever, I am sure she enjoyed her visit in what looks to be quite a delightful area. In delightful company, may I add.
Oh what fun. The red and white tree is delightful.
Your photos are great -- I love the many interpretations of Krampus.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Wow.Wow.This looks like a fun time had for sure. Happy Christmas!
Wonderful photo of you and your two friends….such delightful smiles! Thanks, V.
love all the decorations and christmas trees. Such fun. I've only heard of Krampus in the last few years. He is a creepy fella! :=)
So nice that you had a meet-up with your friends and had a shopping day among all the Christmas goodies.
It looks as if you had fun time with your friends as you shopped and had lunch together. I like the red and white decorations. A good combination. Every European country has a different tradition at this time of the year. I haven't heard of Krampus Night. Dressing up is part of the season's fun. I prefer dear old Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) or the traditional story of St. Nicholas.
Such a fun series! Lovely celebration there
Hello Jeanie,
Fun times indeed! I love all the Christmas trees and decorations.
Krampus looks spooky but what a fun event.
Great photos of you, Rick and your friends.
Take care, have a great day!
Wow awesome post! so wonderful to spend time with life long friends-very special
Love this! Getting out and seeing thriving activity feels so good! Some great Krampus costuming going on there!
So nice to get together with your friends. Those decorations are splendid and the evening with Krampus, definitely a fun way to end the day.
This is a good way to celebrate the holidays Jeanie. It looks like fun all around. And hanging out with friends is the best. I hope your fun continues. Hugs Erika
I agree a great way to celebrate the holidays..Good tidings and joy:)Fun fun fun:)
I recently heard that Krampus is becoming more of a thing here. I have to say -- not for me. But I'm glad you had fun, and I'm sure the merchants were happy!
Never heard of Krampus. Can't believe he didn't scare any kids. He would have scared me as a kid! Looks like a fun festival, though. :)
Hello Jeanie, How lovely that you met up with old friends for lunch and had a full day out shopping and seeing all those wonderful Christmas Trees, with Father Christmas and Krampus an evil looking character I have never heard of before. I'm glad to know there were no tears from the children and they were not scared. Lovely smiles from you and your friends! :=)
What a fun night!
It is good to see people out and about having fun. Have to say though, some of those costumes are scary. lol
Fun is always a good thing 👍 I love the trees. I remember when I first heard about Krampus. He seems better known now, and it interesting to see several movies that feature him.
Love that white tree, and now I know why Canadians are so polite and nice---they had the beejeezus scared out of them as kids by Krampus...lol.
What a great time you had meeting up with old friends. Looks like the event was a success. Enjoy the days as we march to Christmas.
What fun..Looks as though you had a very busy time but so fun...Glad that the kids weren't scared..
Yes to having fun
Oh my goodness how much fun are you having!!!!! I love all the decorations and so nice to purchase from small businesses. You are enjoying Christmas to the max.
Cathy
Looks so fun :D
Yes, I would say that you had lots of fun. I do love Krampus. What a fun time.
I enjoyed seeing the festival that included St. Nick and Krampus. Looks like you had a very enjoyable time.
Here in Hawaii, Santa arrives by canoe onto the shores of Waikiki Beach. It's a tradition. Haha. Just love how you people in Michigan celebrate Christmas. Let's all make Merry.
My boys would have been terrified by the Krampus characters! Ha! They are very sensitive, though. I asked Paul if he wanted to go see Santa this year and he was FIRM NO on that. Phil's cousin dressed up in a Santa suit one year and Paul wouldn't be in the same room as him! Will is more curious but not curious enough to make it worth the trip to visit Santa. Now if he could meet the Grinch and his dog Max? He's 100% be in!
What a fun visit for your friend Suzanne, though. It's nice to have someone to ooh and ahh with over decorations and to have a shopping partner!!
It's all so beautiful, lights, colors decorations, old friends!! But I have to admit, Krampus is for me very scary...
My brother in law loves Krampus so I immediately thought of him with that event. I, however, am much more about the Christmas trees. I love seeing how every tree is decorated a bit differently and has it's own feel. I particularly love themed trees in the stores... even if I have never had a themed tree of my own.
When I was in primary school, not even the principal (whose face is preserved in the "Blue Devils" mascot--he was a mean old man and looked it) but my very own fat and jolly bus driver played Santa Claus. I was scared of a rash on the bus driver's arm and always dashed on and off the bus fast, but otherwise I could tell he was a decent fellow. But after he looked in the door and said "Merry Christmas! Ho ho ho!" (and a local social club left presents to be given to the neediest children, privately), some of the other little kids said they were scared of Santa Claus.
I wouldn't want to add Krampus to the mix! Coal in a stocking ought to be enough!
Your photos are delightful as always, Jeanie.
Looks like a fun time.
Love that photo of you and your friends-such gorgeous ladies!
I enjoyed seeing the festival that included St. Nick and Krampus.
Hugs and blessings
Looks like a very fun outing with friends. Shopping g is always a fun activity. Love seeing the Christmas decorations. The Krampus event is interesting. So many fun costumes.
My goodness :-))) what fun.
Thank you for your wonderful series of pictures.
It's always nice to go on a girls' trip :-)
Happy Advent greetings to you from Viola
How wonderful to have a visit from a long-time friend and go shopping amidst all those wonderful decorations, Jeanie. It was interesting to read about the Krampus festival, but I'm not a fan. That said, glad to read it was a fun event and that children were not scared by the "monster."
It's so nice that you're getting to enjoy Christmas fun with friends. I love the red and white tree, too. I like all of the pepperminty decorations this time of year. And the peppermint ice cream! :-)
The Krampus parade looks fun. I wonder if the Grinch was inspired by Krampus stories?
It certainly looks like a lot of fun was had.
Always nice to spend time with friends.
Lovely Christmas Trees and decorations.
Keep on enjoying your December days.
All the best Jan
That Krampus event looked fun. Love Love all of the Christmas trees too! Janice
Thank you, thank you for taking me with you for Christmas fun. Lansing really outdid themselves.
Lol!! It looks like you have been having a great time!! Keep enjoying the holidays Jeanie!
Interestingly, we don't have Krampus in Germany. "Our" companion of St. Nick is Knecht Ruprecht, and he is not a companion but a servant ("Knecht" is an old word for servant). He doesn't look as scary as the Krampus you show here, but usually wears a long black hooded cloak and has a long beard. He is used to scare kids and have them behave nicely, but in my childhood he never played a really big role. He sometimes gave a soft spanking for show, but Nikolaus was the one who was important and brought gifts (usually sweets and fruit) that he put in kids' boots in the night of Dec 5-6.
Krampusnight looks like fun! It's great that you are having such a nice time!
Sounds like a great time :) I'm glad you had fun with your friends :)
I've never heard of this hairy character in pagan religion. Well, I'm a Pagan, but probably this creature is taken from other country, I guess :)
Jeanie,
My son would have loved that whole Krampus festival...Did you know they made a movie about the Krampus not too long ago???LOL!! Thanks so much for sharing!! Thanks too fr your visits!! Glad to hear you were out and having a bit of fun!!
Hugs,
Deb
Jeanie, what fun times with friends. I love getting together with friends during the Christmas season, even if only for a cup of coffee or tea!
You sure do have fun!
I've few friends here, I am happy you shared yours!
What fun with friends. I am glad you are having fun.
It's funny, but I have never paid attention to Krampus, but this year several online have mentioned him. What fun traditions.
Post a Comment