Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

A legendary character known as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, St. Nick, Kris Kringle or simply just “Santa” originated in western Christian culture and was said to bring candy or toys to well behaved children. The act of children receiving gifts during the holiday season is relatively the same around the world but the character who is giving the gifts can vary greatly from country to country.

Ded Moroz- Russia

Ancient figure from Slovic mythology also known as father frost. He is a Santa like character who delivers gifts on New Years Eve. This tradition developed during the Bolshevik revolution when the government banned any religious holiday or practice including Christmas. Ded Moroz traditionally wears a full length blue coat as to not be confused with Santa.

St. Nicholas Day- Czech Republic

St. Nick is based on St.Nicholas, a 4th century Greek bishop who protected children. Commonly celebrated on December 6th across Europe. St. Nick dresses as a bishop and is accompanied by an angel and a devil. He judges who has been naughty or nice!

Father Christmas- England

In earlier times Father Christmas wandered from home to home knocking on doors and feasting with families before leaving for the next house. He was depicted as a large man with a red beard and green fur lined robe. In modern times Father Christmas piles all of his toys in his sleigh pulled by reindeer. He enters each house by chimney and places gifts for children in their stocking, by their beds or in front of the family Christmas tree.

The Boys of Yule- Spain

The boys of yule are a group of 13 naughty creatures who take the place of Santa in Icelandic tradition. Each are represented in different ways, from pesky pets, playful gnomes and even bloodthirsty creatures who kidnap and eat bad children. These little gnomes put small presents in the shoes of well behaved children on the thirteen nights before Christmas Eve.

St. Nicholas Day- Netherlands

Celebrated on December 5th, children leave traditional clogs by the door filled with hay and carrots for Sinterklaas’ white horse in hopes that they will be filled with gifts in exchange.

Nisse-Northern Europe

Nisse is a mythological creature in Scandinavian folklore and is associated with the Christmas season. It is a 35 inch dwarf like gnome with a long white beard and conical cap. He appears particularly on Christmas delivering gifts to the doors of residents. With the commercialization of Christmas, Nisse has started to resemble Santa Claus in recent years.

Pere Noel- France

Pere Noel or Papa Noel is identified with Father Christmas or Santa Claus. He is the gift-giver in France and French speaking countries. Traditionally different by country they are practically the same character with different names and shared characteristics. On Christmas Eve children leave their shoes filled with carrots and treats for Pere Noels Donkley, Gui, before going to bed for the night. Pere Noel takes the offerings and in return leaves presents in its place if the children have been good. The presents he leaves are traditionally small enough to fit in the shoes, candy, money or small toys.

Christkind- Central Europe

Christkind is depicted as a sprite-like child with short blonde hair and tiny angelic wings delivering gifts to children during Christmas. Christkind was a creation of Martin Luther, leader of the Protestant Church during the 16th century as a resemblance of baby Jesus.

Krampus- Germany

Krampus is a popular Christmas figure in Germany and a companion of Santa Klaus. According to German folklore, Krampus is depicted as a horned, “half-goat, half-demon” mythical creature possessing a long forked tongue who punishes children who have been naughty, contrasting Saint Nicholas who gives gifts to children with good behavior. Like many Christmas mythical beings, Krampus originated from the pagan beliefs of ancient Germany and was a horned god of the witches. In modern Europe, Krampus is portrayed by people wearing hairy costumes accessorized with demon masks and horns.

Mikulas- Central Europe

The legend of Mikulas originated in Hungary spreading to other Central European countries gradually. According to the folklore, Mikulas accompanied by his assistants would visit homes on December 5th every year rewarding children with gifts and candy for their good behavior. Children with poor behavior would receive a wooden spoon, pieces of raw potatoes or lumps of coal from Mikulas’ mean assistant, Krampusz.

Befana- Italy

Local legends tell of a women known as Befana giving gifts to children annually during Epiphany Eve, a festival observed all over Italy the night of January 5th. The local folklore in Italy depicts Befana as an old woman traveling home to home on a broomstick while wearing a black shawl. She enters through the chimney leaving candy and other gifts to children who have been good while leaving soot or lumps of coal to children who have been bad. In modern Italy, Befana is known as the Christmas Witch.

Twas the Night Before Christmas….

We owe much about what we know about Father Christmas to the Americans of the 19th century. Clement Clarke Moore wrote about what he imagined Father Christmas to look like in a poem. This poem is the popular “Twas the Night Before Christmas” previously titled “A visit from St. Nicholas”