The Père Fouettard (pɛʁ fwetaʁ) (French for Father Whipper) is a character who accompanies St. Nicholas in his rounds during St. Nicholas` Day (6 December) dispensing lumps of coal and/or floggings to the naughty children while St. Nick gives gifts to the well behaved. He is known mainly in the far north and eastern regions of France and in t....