We've seen how customs get switched from one holiday to another over time. In the past, Thanksgiving had trick-or-treaters and Christmas was a time for ghost stories. In the 15th century, the church found the festivities on St. Nicholas Day a bit too rowdy for the Advent season, so they were moved to the New Year holiday. Since December 31st is the feast day of Saint Sylvester, the masked and costumed people who roam from house to house became Silvesterklaus.
The Silvesterklaus custom is still performed in parts of Switzerland, twice a year, on December 31st and again on January 13th. Why choose between the date on the Gregorian calendar and the date on the Julian calendar when you can do both?
Silvesterklaus, with their elaborate headdresses and enormous bells, come in three flavors: beautiful (human masks and traditional dress), pretty-ugly (human masks with plant costumes), and ugly. They travel in groups of six men, ringing their bells and yodeling in low voices to wish everyone a happy New Year. Tourists can catch Silvesterklaus in the Appenzell Ausserrhoden region. The custom has been launched in the past few years in New Glarus, Wisconsin, too. You can see the Silvesterklaus there on Saturday, January 11, 2025.
I noticed the third link (ugly) didn't have gloves on which surprised me considering the frigid background and going to the trouble to wear that costume he'd presumably spend a lot of time outside.
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