In fact, there are not a few countries (whether they belong to the Christian denomination or not) in which the concept of Santa Claus is transformed by a completely different presence (even a female one).
For most “it is the most beautiful time of the year”.
Christmas and New Year are just a few days away and more and more people are looking forward to the precious moments of relaxation, celebrations and of course exchanging gifts with friends and relatives.
Even if most of us have now accepted that he does not exist, Santa Claus, the beloved Saint of the days, is expected again this year by millions of young children (or adults with the heart of a small child).
A plump middle-aged man with a red uniform and a thick white beard – by Western standards – an ascetic and imposing figure for Orthodoxy, Basil the Great, also known as Basil of Caesarea or simply Saint Basil, is known in every corner of the earth, from country to country country has a different uniform color and maybe even a completely different form and name.
In fact, there are not a few countries (whether they belong to the Christian denomination or not) in which the concept of Santa Claus is transformed by a completely different presence (even a female one).
Britain
Santa Claus in Britain has up to three different names, Santa Claus, Father Christmas or Kris Cringle.
In fact, he wears a green uniform (although now the image of Santa Claus in a red uniform is equally widespread).
In fact, he does not bring gifts.
He simply went from house to house and feasted with those who lived there, eating and drinking on Christmas Day, probably the opposite of the “open hand” meaning of the saint in Britain.
Italy
I kinda wish La Befana the Italian Christmas witch caught on instead of Santa pic.twitter.com/hltUYoDhNE
— vinny (@rwiggumrules) December 22, 2022
The tradition of La Befana is particularly widespread in Italy, which is not directly identified with Christmas but (as its name also testifies) with Epiphany.
It is about a once wicked old witch who has repented and now wants to atone for her evil deeds, giving gifts and sweets to children as well as sweets, always on the 6th of January.
Spain
According to tradition, in Spain “Santa Claus” is performed by magicians who refer rather to the three magicians with the gifts.
Los Reyes Magos, are the 3 magicians, who give sweets and candies to children, passing on the 6th of January every year, through the centers of Spanish cities.
Finland
In Finland, Joulupukki, meaning the Christmas Goat, exists to represent a man who was transformed into a goat on Christmas Eve.
Fortunately for the children of Finland, Joulupukki does not come empty-handed.
Together with a companion, the goat visits the houses of the country, going from door to door and looking for good and wise children, so that he can give them their due gifts.
Catalonia
Catalans celebrate Christmas with Tio de Nadal – the Poo Log.
Children decorate and leave treats for this special… log, until Christmas comes.
On Christmas Day, according to tradition, they sing while hitting the log, until sweets, toys and various gifts come out of it. (a custom that probably refers to the pinata).
🎄 Darrer dia de trimestre amb el més pur esprit nadalenc:
🌹 Arribada del tió de Nadal a CI Primària 🥰
🌹 C Mitjà i Superior exchange els seus regals de l’amic invisible 🎁
🌹 Vivim el Cap d’Any més emocinant dels téléspect anys 🥳
Vivim el Nadal,#somDominiquesTGN 🌟 pic.twitter.com/s44gMekpW8— Dominiques Tarragona (@dominiquesTGN) December 22, 2022
Germany
According to tradition, Santa Claus passes the houses of non-wise children, for the past year, and goes to those where the good children live, to leave them their presents.
Despite the gift’s strong incentive to avoid mischief, children also have the fear of Krampus as an additional reason not to do mischief.
It’s about a scary demon who travels with Santa Claus and … beats up bad kids.
Netherlands
Krampus for the holiday~! pic.twitter.com/P1AIwk37M2
— Chris 🍄🌿 COMMS OPEN (@sutexiiart) December 22, 2022
Sinterklaas and Black Pete have been part of the country’s Christmas traditions since the 19th century.
These two characters are initially found in traditional folk songs of the country.
In them, Sinterklaas and his helper Black Pete, a Moor, give gifts to children.
Originally, it was a tradition for the country’s inhabitants to dye themselves black, wear curly wigs and heavily paint their lips, imitating the Moorish hero.
But this way of celebration is now considered racist in the country.
So many protest, wanting the character of Black Pete out of Christmas celebrations.
France
In France, Santa Claus is called Father Christmas – specifically, Père Noël.
Instead of a red uniform, he wears a long, red cloak.
Children in France leave their shoes in front of the fireplace and wait when they wake up to find them filled with toys, sweets and gifts that he has left for them.
As in German tradition, Père Noël is accompanied by Père Fouettard, who beats the naughty children of the past year
Russia and Ukraine
Ded Moroz, or father of ice, is a figure taken from Slavic mythology, in which he is usually described as a wizard or demon. To punish the naughty children, he kidnapped them.
The tomte represent the #WinterSolstice in Scandinavian folklore. They guard those they dwell among, or tease them. #FolkloreThursday ❄️🎅🏻❄️ pic.twitter.com/3xMNYNq7Oz
— LadyTeapots🎄🫖 (@LadyTeapots) December 15, 2022
Over the years, the character of Ded Moroz “softened”, leaving behind his dark version.
Now, on New Year’s Eve, he travels to all Slavic regions, but mainly to Russia and Ukraine, and distributes gifts. For company, he has the cheerful Snegurochka.
Sweden
Tomte, or Jultomten, is a creature of Swedish folklore.
It looks like a dwarf and has the form of a statuette for the garden that protects the house from any misfortune.
While he was originally associated with the devil, in recent years, he is something of a country Santa Claus.
On Christmas Day, an adult in the family disguises himself as Tomte by wearing a mask and asks: “Are there any good children in this house?” before opening his sack and handing out the gifts.
It’s Russia in 2022, so Ded Moroz (Russia’s Santa Claus) has ditched his troika sleigh for an armored personnel carrier pic.twitter.com/SJansRTPlA
— Francis Scarr (@francis_scarr) December 17, 2022
With information from BBC-INSIDER
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I am Frederick Tuttle, who works in 247 News Agency as an author and mostly cover entertainment news. I have worked in this industry for 10 years and have gained a lot of experience. I am a very hard worker and always strive to get the best out of my work. I am also very passionate about my work and always try to keep up with the latest news and trends.
