Belsnickle
n.— «“Belsnickle,” a word meaning “Good St. Nicholas,” is a term used for a figure of Santa Claus holding a tree or branch in his folded arms. Santa is usually not smiling on a belsnickle, and the branch was originally meant as a switch for punishing naughty children. Belsnickles are among the most popular old-fashioned Santa images, and because it is such a compact image it is often seen as a Christmas ornament or light bulb.» —“Good Old Saint Nick…the ultimate character collectible” by Arthur Schwerdt Cape May County Herald (New Jersey) Dec. 5, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
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