When you're out and about in Manheim this holiday season, keep an eye out for the Belsnickel. The crotchety, fur-clad Christmas figure will be roaming the streets and shops of town, checking to see if you've been naughty or nice.

"It's something new and different we wanted to try," said Susan Williams, president of the Manheim Historical Society. The organization is encouraging people to post pictures on the historical society's Facebook page of the Belsnickel when they spot him.

"Many of the people who originally settled in Manheim came from Germany, and that's where the Belsnickel tradition comes from," Williams explained. The Belsnickel often carries a broom to use to knock on doors and windows; gives out candy, nuts and fruit; and visits in the weeks leading up to Christmas, disappearing about a week before the holiday.

Williams noted that the historical society cleared the Belsnickel's visit with the Manheim Borough Police Department, so if someone reports an ugly, old man walking through town, the police know what's going on, she said. She also emphasized that the Belsnickel will not approach children or actually knock on doors, but he'll greet children who are brought to him by their parents or guardian.

In addition to random appearances around town, the Belsnickel will meet people at the Manheim Historical Society's Holiday Open House. The event will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at three locations - the Fasig House, 30 E. High St.; the Keath House, 32 E. High St.; and the Harry B. Shearer Heritage Center, 88 S. Grant St.

Festivities for the open house will include Colonial Christmas tours, photos with the Belsnickel, book signings by local author Mike Gerhard and sampling of hot mulled cider, prepared over the fireplace in the Keath House.

"We are encouraging people to come to the Fasig House first, leave through the front door, go to the Keath House and through the front door there and then leave out the back door, taking their cider with them," Williams said.

The open house will provide an opportunity for members of the Manheim Historical Society to showcase holiday decorations and traditions of German Americans during Colonial times.

"They didn't do a lot of decorating like we do now, but they would put a tree up," Williams stated. "They would often hang it upside down from the ceiling to keep rodents away." Trees and garlands were often decorated with a Froebel star, a Christmas ornament made of folded paper.

"We are really excited to try some new things this year and encourage people to come to our open house," Williams remarked. "It's a nice way to see how people used to celebrate Christmas."

For more information, visit http://www.manheimhistoricalsociety.org or follow Manheim Historical Society on Facebook.