Costumes that stand out from the crowd

Genuine South Tyrolean Carnival costumes

Darth Vader or Elsa for the umpteenth time? Not this year. We have costume ideas that no other child will be wearing, based on age-old South Tyrolean customs.

At the latest when the last Christmas bauble is packed away in the box, people in South Tyrol start asking themselves: what should I dress up as for Carnival this year? We have a few ideas for costumes that no other children will be wearing at the fancy dress party.

Mini “Zussl”
In Prad am Stilfserjoch, the “Zussls” parade through the village on Carnival Thursday. The impressive figures are dressed in white from head to toe, adorned with colourful ribbons and crepe paper flowers, and carry heavy cowbells at their waists. The noise during the Zussl parade is deafening. And that’s precisely the point: it’s meant to scare away winter and finally awaken spring. For your mini Zussl costume, take a white sheet, stick colourful strips of crepe paper and flowers onto it, and make a small bell out of a flower pot. Pop in a spoon, tie it around the waist, and you’re done. When your child skips through the neighbourhood wearing it, the last traces of winter will be sure to make themselves scarce.

Snapping “Schnappviech”
If huge mouths suddenly appear from the crowd during the parade in Tramin and start wildly snapping open and closed – don’t panic! These are the “Schnappviecher”, ancient Carnival figures that are also known locally as “Wudelen”. For the DIY version, you need a large cardboard box that fits loosely over your child’s head. Cut a large slit in the front. That will be the mouth. Leave the part above the slit attached to the box and fold the lower part downwards. Cut pointed teeth out of white cardboard and glue them to the upper and lower jaw. Cut two peepholes so that your child can see and then paint your “Schnappviech” head. Scales, crazy eyes, warts – the scarier, the better. A dark cloak around the shoulders, box on the head, and your Schnappviech is ready to get snapping.

The Wild Man
At the legendary Egetmann parade in Tramin, another creature appears that makes everyone stop and stare: the “Wild Man”. For the craft version, glue brown fabric scraps, faux fur, or even cut-up brown paper bags onto old clothes. The shaggier, the better. Add a crazy wig, smudge the face a little with face paint – and your creative wild-man costume is complete.

And when the costumes are ready? It’s time to head to the next Carnival parade or party at the Familienhotels Südtirol, where you’ll enjoy delicious carnival doughnuts and much more!

The Gatterer family
Linara mountain family stay

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