What Santa gives bad kids. Interesting facts about Santa Claus. Why does Santa Claus give coal to bad kids? What Santa Claus gives to good children. How do they give gifts?
Very soon, Santa Claus will leave his residence and come to the cities to distribute gifts. As the well-known story says, with good behavior, boys and children......
Legend of Santa Claus bad kids provided coal. So what's wrong with coal? Let's understand the magician's logic
By Masterweb
30.11.2019 23:41Very soon, Santa Claus will leave his residence and come to the cities to distribute gifts. As the famous story goes, with good behavior, boys and girls can count on a surprise under the tree. But if they were naughty, then on New Year they may have nothing but a stocking filled with bits of coal. For decades, parents have been warning their offspring that charcoal is what Santa gives for Christmas to kids who are not so good. But many people have a question: why coal?
legends
In truth, the legend of Santa Claus was not always associated with the fact that he brought coal to naughty children. For example, in the 19th century much more attention was paid to how joyful Santa was and how he encouraged good behavior. Clement Clark Moore's famous poem "Two on the Night Before Christmas" does not mention at all that Santa gave charcoal to naughty children for Christmas. And even in one of Moore's Santa Claus tales, which has punishment, the festive character leaves the "long black birch road" for mischief-makers, not coal.
Evil fairy
However, going back, you can find legends from other cultures that use coal as punishment. For example, one famous Italian story tells of a witch known as La Befana. She appears in early January, flying on a broom rather than a sleigh, and enters people's homes through chimneys and keyholes. The good kids get candy and small toys from La Befana, while the naughty kids get charcoal.
As the 20th century began, charcoal as a punishment began to appear more and more frequently in US Christmas culture. For example, in Ruth Katherine Wood's 1918 Toy Makers' Strike, things don't go according to plan. When Santa's elves go on strike, one naughty boy ends up getting a huge doll while a cute little girl finds lumps of coal in a stocking. But after the good fairies returned everything to its place. Similarly, in Myron Adams' 1912 short story "The Prince of Good Companions", a boy named Tom gets coal in his stocking.
Logical explanation
But why does Santa give charcoal for Christmas? Brian Horrigan of the Minnesota Historical Center has his own explanation: "Santa Claus is coming down the chimneys and he needs something to congratulate bad child, he explained at CBS Minnesota in 2012. “So he looks around, picks up a piece of coal, and puts it in the baby's stocking.” And although people can now light their fireplaces in other ways, the old story has already become a legend.
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The main participants in Russian winter holidays- Ded Moroz and Snegurochka want to remind all the people of Russia that the New Year and Christmas are coming soon and it's time to write a letter to Ded Moroz and ask him to fulfill his innermost dream.
New Year's campaign for children "Letter to Santa Claus" will be held at the stations of the peninsula "Krymskaya Railway". The Snegurochka will help the children to compose a letter and write the address correctly December 14 from 9.00 to 16.00 in the building of the railway station in Evpatoria. All letters will be mailed to Father Frost's residence in Veliky Ustyug, and it is expected that in two weeks the children will receive answers and your dreams will begin to come true.
On December 19, the Grandfather Frost Post Office will be opened at the Theater Square in Evpatoria and starts new year's competition best letters the main wizard of winter. New Year's mailbox of Santa Claus will work until December 31, 2015.
Santa Claus lives in Veliky Ustyug, Vologda region in a large fairy-tale tower and annually receives more than 200 thousand letters from children not only from Russia, but from all over the world.
Santa Claus, accompanied by the granddaughter of the Snow Maiden, gallops in winter on a trio of frisky horses across the boundless northern expanses of Russia. Santa Claus is not afraid of either snow blizzards or harsh Siberian frosts. Dressed gray-haired grandfather in warm coat, a hat and felt boots, holds a magic staff in his hands, from the touch of which the sea waves pacify and freeze, lakes and reservoirs freeze, fast rivers are covered with a thick layer of ice.
For children and adults, the arrival of a snowy winter is an inexpressible joy, everyone runs skiing or sledding from an ice hill, or spinning on skates to the cheerful music on the rink.
Santa Claus likes the joy and fun of people who are passionate about winter fun, arranging noisy holidays in the middle of winter, for which Santa Claus gives people his fabulous new Year gifts.
Every year Santa Claus travels around and inspects his possessions, and begins his New Year's journey through Russia with a visit to the coldest place in the country in Oymyakon, where the official residence is located. Chyskhaana - the lord of the cold in Yakutia. The temperature minimum in Oymyakon is from -77.8 to -82 °C. Chyskhaan wears a high hat on his head, decorated with bull horns, according to Yakut legends he is called Bull of Winter. Every autumn, the Bull of Winter emerges from the Arctic Ocean and brings the symbol of cold to earth.
Common to all Christians, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, known for his help to poor people and fabulous gifts for obedient children, served as a prototype for New Year's characters in different countries peace. Santa Claus- one of them. Until now, there is no consensus on where Santa Claus lives, some say in Lapland, others - in the immediate vicinity of the North Pole.
Sintaklaas- New Year's character in the Netherlands and Belgium, travels with his servant Black Peter (Zwarte Piet). At Sintaklaas there is a special big red book where each child and his good and evil deeds are entered. Every year at the end of November, he arrives by ship from Spain to bring all the gifts for the children for St. Nicholas Day - December 6th. In many cities in Belgium and the Netherlands, Sintaklaasa travels throughout the city and is given a gala reception at the city hall. Sintaklaas does not fit into the house through the chimney, but sends a chimney-sweep boy (Black Peter) instead, who puts gifts in shoes for good children, and bags of salt for bad children. In older legends, Black Peter could kidnap bad kids and take them to Spain.
Cheerful old lady Befana or Epiphany flies on a broom to every Italian house on the night of January 5-6, sweeps the floor in the house of hospitable hosts, with a broom she sweeps all the problems and troubles of the past year out of the house, for this they leave her a small treat and a glass of wine.
There is a legend according to which the Magi, who were in a hurry to visit the born Jesus, met an old woman on the way to Bethlehem. Epifani Yu, who gave them shelter and food. They offered Epifani and go with them to Bethlehem, but she refused. And when she saw the Star of Bethlehem at night, she herself decided to go to baby Jesus with a gift, but she never found his manger. Flying since then old Befana on a broomstick on the night of January 5-6, hoping to find Jesus. For good children, Befana gives sweets and toys, and for those who have behaved badly all year, she traditionally leaves a tiny ember, a tuft of wool or a pile of dust.
Pere Noil(Pere Noel), accompanied by the "Evil Pope" (La Pere Fouettard), brings New Year's gifts to French children and arranges them in shoes specially left by the hearth. And his sinister companion, when visiting naughty children, instead of gifts, gives them a good spanking, and in some versions of the legends cuts off the tongues of children who lie a lot. Per Noel rides on a little donkey named Gui, which means "Mistletoe", and the children leave a treat for the donkey - a carrot.
Children in the Czech Republic and Slovakia deliver New Year's gifts Grandfather Mikulash (Saint Nicholas) December 6 together, he travels with an angel who gives sweets to children and an imp who gives coals and potatoes to naughty kids. In the festive Christmas retinue of Grandfather Mikulash there is a little Hedgehog, a diminutive form from Jezis - baby Jesus. Hedgehog gives sweets to little residents of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
in Iceland, speaking, there is no single Santa Claus at all, instead of him in the national folklore there are thirteen strange-looking creatures resembling gnomes. They are called Yule Lads (Yule Lads that is approximately "Christmas Boys", and are the sons of a fearsome mountain troll named Gryla. It used to be that Yule Lads harmed people in every possible way before Christmas for 13 nights, starting from December 12, they steal meat, seasonings and even children.
Each of "Christmas Boys" has its own name and a clear specialization, for example, Ketkrokur, there is a long hook, with which he steals meat from people. Second, named Gluggagaegir,peeking out the windows to find something to profit from in a human dwelling, the third - Stekkjastaur, has pig legs and scares the sheep in the stables. Yulnisse is the kindest New Year's gnome, he puts small gifts in children's shoes for the 13 nights before Christmas, and naughty children with potatoes instead of a gift.
In the Scandinavian countries - Norway, Finland, Sweden - there is a legend about Tomte (Tomte) or Nisse (Nisse)- small brownies on farms that harm the household if the farmer is sloppy and does not maintain order in the house and on the farm. With the spread of Christianity in Scandinavia, all gnomes, brownies turned into little Santa Clauses. Modern Tomte are called differently in Scandinavia: Yultomte, Yulnis or Yollupukki (Jultomte, Julnisse, and Joulupukki), he looks like Santa Claus, but they are thin and slender, they are not so well-fed, they do not fly on a reindeer team, but travel on a cart drawn by a goat on the ground. Scandinavian Santa Clauses live not at the North Pole, but in the nearest forest. Unlike Santa Claus, Yultomtes do not fly into the chimney with gifts, but simply enter the door when no one sees them.
Yolupukki gives Christmas gifts to children in Finland. Now Yolupukki looks more like Santa Claus, but more than a century ago he was portrayed in goatskin and with small horns on his head, now only deer have antlers. Finnish Yolupukki means "Christmas goat".
Santa Claus is a character who migrated from fairy tales to reality. Children and teenagers believe in him, adults resort to his help. The existence of the hero explains the unusual events taking place in new year holidays. A gray-bearded old man in a traditional red suit takes care of the children and prepares gifts throughout the year. Surprises placed under the Christmas tree on New Year's Eve are expected by kids no less than birthday presents. Relationships with a fictional character are built on faith in him and in a miracle.
History of appearance
It's hard to believe that Santa Claus is a real person. He lived in ancient times, and his homeland was not called Lapland, but the Lycian Worlds. These are lands located on the territory of present-day Turkey. References to the character date back to 253 AD. The name of the citizen is St. Nicholas. He worked in the rank of bishop, was known as a respectable person and was respected for his faith. With savings, St. Nicholas shared with those in need and helped them as best he could. Sailors, merchants and bakers considered him a patron, and children doted on a good hero.
According to the tradition established in the 10th century, December 6 was the day of distribution of gifts in the Cologne Cathedral. The custom was quickly adopted in other cities, associating it with the famous St. Nicholas. In Russia, the hero is called.
In the 19th century, the American Clement Moore wrote a poem entitled "The Night Before Christmas, or the Visit of Saint Nicholas". She told about grandfather going from house to house to distribute gifts to children who had been well-behaved all year. The character's name, Santa Claus, is associated with a generous giver.
By 1840, almost everyone in the New World had an idea of who Santa Claus was. In 1863, the artist Thomas Nast used the image of an old man in political cartoons. Subsequently, he described the life of a wizard in illustrations. Since then, it has been generally accepted that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, and his residence accommodates many elves who help make gifts for children.
According to legend, Santa has a house where he lives and works. Here he makes entries in the book of deeds of children from all over the world, assessing who was obedient and who played pranks. It is curious that the hero was originally depicted as an elf, but over time, the appearance became more human and similar to that which can be seen in modern images of the character.
Biography
Throughout the year, Santa prepares for the main holiday to pamper children with long-awaited gifts. On the eve of the holiday, he gets into a sleigh pulled by deer and flies through the sky to different countries, delivering presents. Grandpa comes down the chimney to every house, leaves surprises under the tree and eats cookies. Having completed the work, he goes home and again gives the task to the elves, who collect gifts for the kids.
Santa is dressed in red pants and a jacket with a belt, a neat cap on his head, and high boots on his feet. In some images, you can see that the grandfather is not averse to indulging in a smoking pipe. The environment of the old man is peculiar, and the history of life remains mysterious.
Unlike, who has a granddaughter, Santa Claus is lonely. Although some suggest that Mrs. Claus has a right to exist. The old man takes care of himself and has a weakness for milk and cookies, which are usually left for him under the tree. Among his friends are elves and deer, creatures with whom Santa easily finds a common language.
Magic sleds are moved through the air by forest deer: Dasher - Swift, Dancer - Dancer, Prencer - Steed, Vixen - Frisky, Comet - Comet, Cupid - Cupid, Donder - Thunder, Blitzen - Lightning and Rudolph. The last horse joined the herd by chance, having overtaken the deer during a snow storm. It is distinguished by a bright red luminous nose.
If we talk about the person who served as the prototype for Santa Claus, then his biography has more evidence and known details. Nicholas was born in Asia Minor in 255-257. AD in Patara. The boy's parents died, leaving their property to the heir. He lived with an uncle who was a priest and helped those in need. There is a known case related to the family of a poor man, whose daughters could not marry for lack of a dowry. The girls were going to be sold into slavery.
The night before the first transaction, the eldest daughter hung up the stockings after washing to dry, and in the morning she found gold in them. Nicholas helped the girls find happiness. He came to the rescue secretly. After a while he was elected bishop. The life of the hero was an example of faith, generosity and cordiality. After the death of Nicholas, the tradition of giving gifts and leaving surprises in New Year's stockings continued.
Quotes and Facts
In different countries, Santa Claus is represented in different images, and in different languages of the world his name sounds different. In Russia and Belarus, this is Santa Claus, in Austria - Sylvester, in Greece - Saint Basil, in Germany - Weinakhtsman, in Colombia - Pascual, in France - Pere Noel. Holland is the country where Santa's name is Sinterklaas. In each state, the wizard hides gifts in his own way. In Sweden, children find them by the stove, in Germany - on the windowsill, in Mexico - in boots, and in Spain - on the balcony. In one corner of the world, Santa Claus is a pagan god, in another he is a wizard, and in a third he is a forest dweller.
In Europe, it is generally accepted that the overgrown favorite of children lives in Lapland. Many families come to the residence of Santa Claus for a visit on the eve of the New Year. In America, my grandfather has a residence in Torrington, Connecticut and Wilmington, New York.
Americans have made Santa Claus the idol of millions. Thanks to the famous advertising campaign of the Coca-Cola brand, the image of a lively grandfather was fixed in the minds of children and adults. Not surprisingly, cartoon characters in the United States unmistakably voice the nuances of Santa's biography.
“Don't you know the true meaning of Christmas? It's Santa's birthday!" - He speaks .
In the cartoon "Santa's Secret Service", the position of the main magician is passed down from generation to generation, and the main character declares with dignity:
“Many years ago my father told me that being a Santa is the best job in the world. He was right: I love my job!”
The kind image of a plump old man bringing gifts is cultivated in America and other countries, allowing children to believe in magic and a fairy tale. Philosophical quotes on this subject are contained in each New Year's film broadcast during the holidays.
Screen adaptations
Billy Bob Thornton in Bad Santa Santa became the hero of numerous animated projects and films. In comedies, parents of large families, notorious bandits, heroes who do not believe in the power of Christmas, and those who lack love and warmth during the cold winter holidays appear in the image of the New Year's wizard.
Cinematographers present Santa Claus as an ordinary family man in the film "Santa Claus" in 1994, introduce the public to the character forced to play the role of a good wizard in the film "Bad Santa" in 2003 and offer to find out what a grandfather's family might look like. This is what the film Fred Klaus tells about. Santa's brother" 2007 release. Thanks to the imagination of the directors, the hero of traditional legends appears in a modern guise and remains a favorite of the public, regardless of the plot of the tape.
On New Year's and Christmas gifts are given all over the world, however, not in every case, it is Santa Claus or his analogue who does this. Sometimes it can be gnomes, trolls, a scary goat or a baby. A whole galaxy of New Year's creatures is in our today's selection.
1. Yolasweinar
Country: Iceland
Yolasveinars are 13 mischievous creatures that replace Santa Claus in Iceland. The first significant mention of them came in the early 1930s, when an Icelandic writer wrote a short poem about their role in Christmas. Since then, they have gone through many different incarnations, from cute generous givers to harmful pests. At one time they were even called bloodthirsty monsters who kidnap and eat children at night.
But above all, the Yolasweinar are famous for their mischievous nature. And everyone has a special trait that is unique to him and sometimes quite strange. For example, Ketcrokur steals meat with a long hook, and Gluggagegir peeps people out the window to steal something at night. Stekkjastur walks on stilts and chases sheep.
How do they give gifts?
But the yolasweinar not only do strange things, they also give gifts to children. For children who have been well-behaved all 13 nights before Christmas Eve, they put good gifts into boots. And bad children are given potatoes. Accompanying the yolasweinar is the Yule Cat, a hungry beast that eats bad children.
2. Nisse
Countries: different areas of Scandinavia
Niss legends are told in the Scandinavian countries: Norway, Finland and Sweden. At first, the nisse was the name given to the little gnomes who watched over the family farms. They were kind and looked after people, but they liked to be mischievous and could often break something or play a cruel joke on those who misused their lands. As Christianity gained strength, the nisse gradually joined the traditional Christmas holidays for the whole world, but they themselves changed: they acquired more human features and became more like Santa Claus.
How do they give gifts?
Modern nisse, also known as youlupukki, are still very different from Santa Claus and our Father Frost. In particular, they are not fat and do not ride flying sleds. And they don't live at the North Pole, just like in Veliky Ustyug. In some regions, children believe that nisse live very close to their homes. And, although the nisse bring gifts to children, they do not climb into the chimney at night. In this respect, nisse are just like the Russian Grandfather Frost: a father or relative dresses in a nisse costume and personally gives gifts to children.
3. Baby Jesus
Countries: some provinces of Germany, Austria, Italy and Brazil
In those countries where Christianity has become the main religion, the Infant Jesus gives gifts to children. It was invented in the 16th century by Martin Luther. He hoped that the more religious the holiday, the greater the chance of eradicating what he considered the harmful influence of St. Nicholas. Since the Child Jesus is supposed to be a baby in the literal sense, he is usually depicted as a small holy child with blonde hair and angel wings. The influence of the Child Jesus as the only symbol of Christmas is waning with the rise of Santa Claus, but he is still honored in the Catholic countries of South and Central America.
How does he give gifts?
The hallmark of the Child Jesus as a giver is that no one has ever seen him. Children often say that he disappeared moments before they arrived.
4. Belsnickel
Countries: Germany, Austria, Argentina, USA (Dutch Pennsylvania)
Belsnickel is a legendary figure. He accompanies Santa Claus in some regions of Europe, as well as in some small Dutch communities in the US state of Pennsylvania. Like Krampus in Germany and Austria or Per Fottar in France, Belsnickel is the main enforcer of discipline in the Santa Claus circle. Belsnickel usually appears as a figure resembling a mountain man - his body is wrapped in furs, and his face is sometimes covered with a mask with a long tongue. Unlike Santa Claus, who was designed to be loved by children, Belsnickel is designed to be feared. In most regions, it serves as a kind of horror story with which children can be made to behave.
How does he give gifts?
By all indications, Belsnickel can be attributed to negative characters, but in some regions he also gives gifts to children. For example, in Germany, good obedient children receive sweets and small gifts from him on December 6th, St. Nicholas Day. And naughty children are waiting for coals or a whip. In some countries, they even say that Belsnickel can come to the children in person and warn them that they need to behave better.
5. Per Noel and Per Fottar
Country: France
Papa Noel is one of the most popular incarnations of Saint Nicholas. In France, he is known more than anyone else. Outwardly, he looks like Santa Claus, but instead of deer, he rides a single donkey named Gui, which means "Mistletoe" in French.
In some regions of France, as in many other countries, Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 5th. For this special day, the French not only have Saint Nicholas himself, but also a character named Père Fottar (Father with a Whip). Like Belsnickel, he is needed to intimidate naughty children. Why this happened is clear from his history. Its most common version says that in the 12th century, Per Fottar and his wife kidnapped and killed three young men and made soup from them. Then the good Saint Nicholas found and resurrected the victims, and Per Fottar repented of his crime and promised to become his assistant.
How does he give gifts?
Like Sinterklaas and many other variations of Santa Claus, Per Noel puts small presents and candies in his shoes to the left of the fireplace. Per Fottar is not so kind and cheerful: he carries rusty chains and whips with him, with which he “gifts” naughty children. Sometimes he is even more cruel - in some regions they believe that he cuts out the tongues of children caught in a lie.
6. Befana
Country: Italy
In general, Befana is similar to Santa Claus and Santa Claus, but looks very different from them. Befana is a witch who has become an important part of Christmas holidays in Italy. There are different stories about her, but most often they say that this kind woman gave food and shelter to the three wise men when they went to bow to the baby Jesus.
Befana looks colorful. She is depicted as an old woman who flies on a broomstick, wears a black shawl and carries around a bag of gifts. Her appearance is terrifying, and it is said that she can hit any child who follows her with her broom. Smart kids should lie in bed while their parents prepare gifts!
How does she give gifts?
Like Santa Claus, Befana goes down the chimney into the house and leaves gifts for obedient children, and a piece of coal or ashes for naughty ones. And since Befana is known as the best hostess in all of Italy, before leaving, she sweeps the floor around the fireplace before whisking back into the chimney.
7. Krampus
Countries: Austria, Germany and Hungary
In the Alpine countries, Santa Claus comes to children. But not alone: he is accompanied by a terrible bloodthirsty monster named Krampus. His name comes from the German "klaue" - "claw". Krampus is part of the entourage of Santa Claus, but he is more of an evil character than a kind one - in any case, he beats naughty children or punishes them in other ways in a medieval style.
The Krampus legend appeared hundreds of years ago, but the church hushed it up until the 19th century. And today it has become part of Christmas in parts of Bavaria and Austria, where December 5th is celebrated as "Krampus Day" or "Krapusteg". People dress up as Krampus, walk the streets and scare other people. Some cities even hold entire festivals.
How does he give gifts?
It is clear that gifts are not his style. In traditional folklore, Krampus is more likely to beat delinquent children with rods or give them a severe reprimand if they are lucky. According to another version, he even kidnaps the worst children in the city, stuffs them into a bag and throws them into the river.
8. Father Frost and Snow Maiden
Countries: Russia, Serbia, Bosnia, Ukraine, Macedonia, Poland and other countries of the former USSR
Our Santa Claus is one of the most interesting New Year characters in the world. He gives gifts not only to Russian children, but also to babies of almost all Slavic countries in Eastern Europe. Santa Claus wears a red coat and white beard, but unlike Western Santa Claus, he does not ride a reindeer-drawn sleigh. Everything is cooler with him: he rides a sleigh pulled by three horses.
But the most interesting thing about Santa Claus is his story. Once he was an evil and vicious sorcerer, kidnapped children and demanded rich gifts as a ransom. But over time, he “corrected”, and now he himself gives gifts to children. And Santa Claus has a granddaughter, the Snow Maiden, who helps him. And no one else has such a Snow Girl.
How does he give gifts?
Santa Claus comes to new year's eve or December 31st. He puts gifts under the tree, but sometimes he himself appears at parties and gala dinners and gives gifts in person.
9. Sinterklaas and Black Peter
Countries: Netherlands, Flanders
Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Santa Claus. He wears a traditional red suit, gray beard and is always cheerful. But unlike Santa, he appears every year in the Netherlands at the end of November. It is said that he arrives on a steamboat from Spain, and after disembarking, he walks through the streets of the city to say hello to all the Dutch children.
There are no elves in the retinue of Sinterklaas, Black Peter, a little boy, helps him to give gifts. There are many legends about how Black Peter began to travel with Sinterklaas, and some are very controversial. Some say that he was a black servant or even a slave of Sinterklaas, while other legends claim that he is a demon. But because of the racist overtones, the old stories of Black Peter have been rewritten, and now he is often described as a simple chimney sweep.
How do they give gifts?
Sinterklaas brings gifts to children on December 5th, St. Nicholas Day. The children put their shoes next to the fireplace and leave a carrot for Sinterklaas's horse. If they behaved well, then in the morning they will find sweets and gifts in their shoes. Personally, Sinterklaas does not leave gifts: for this he has Black Peter, who goes down the chimney into the house with gifts for good children and coal or bags of salt for the bad ones. In old legends, Black Peter kidnapped the worst children and took them to Spain as punishment for terrible behavior.
10. Father Christmas
Countries: UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and many others
Father Christmas had a huge impact on the look of the "classic" Santa Claus. It is Father Christmas who is the main character in Christmas legends and the giver of gifts in many countries. In his modern incarnation, he looks like Santa Claus, but they have different origins. In the 17th century, Father Christmas was portrayed as a cheerful old man dressed in a green robe. Then he did not give gifts yet, but he was the spirit of good news and the joy of Christmas. This incarnation was taken as a basis by the famous writer Charles Dickens, who invented his Spirit of the current Christmas time from the story "A Christmas Carol in Prose". However, over time, Father Christmas became like Santa Claus and Sinterklaas and also began to give gifts to children.
How does he give gifts?
Basically, he does everything the same as Santa Claus: he rides a sleigh pulled by reindeer and goes down the chimney into the house to leave gifts for good children. Families often leave treats in the house for him and the deer, though this varies from country to country. In addition, the house and appearance of Father Christmas depend on the country. In some countries he wears a green suit instead of a red one and does not always live at the North Pole: some countries "settle" him in Greenland, Lapland or Finland.
Yolasveinary (Iceland)
The Yolasveinars (or Yule Boys) are a group of thirteen mischievous creatures who replace Santa Claus during the Christmas celebrations in Iceland. They appeared in the early 1930s when an Icelandic writer composed a short poem describing their role during the Christmas season. Since then, the images of the Yolasveinar have undergone many changes, ranging from cute gift givers to annoying pests. For a while, they were even considered bloodthirsty creatures that kidnap and eat children at night.
The Yolasweinars were distinguished by their playful nature. Each of them was naughty in their own way. Ketkroukur, for example, stole meat with a long hook, and Gluggagayir peered through windows in search of things that could be stolen at night. Stekkjarstøir loved to harass sheep; instead of legs, he had wooden prostheses.
However, the Yolasweinar could not only play pranks - they also gave gifts to children during the 13 days before Christmas. Boys and girls who behaved well during the year found nice gifts in their boots, exposed over the threshold. Naughty children found potatoes instead of sweets.
Nisse (Scandinavia)
The legend of Nyssa can be found in the folklore of such Scandinavian countries as Norway, Finland and Sweden. In the past, Nisse was the name given to small dwarf-like characters who looked after the family farms. They were kind to people, but they beat or otherwise took revenge on those who did not take good care of their household. Influenced by Christianity, Nisse eventually became associated with the traditional celebration of Christmas. Their appearance has changed; they took on human features and became akin to Santa Claus.
Modern Nisse (or Joulupukki, as they are often called) are still very different from Santa Claus in many ways. They tend to be of normal build and ride sleds that don't fly. Also, they do not live at the North Pole. The children are told that the Nisse live in the forest near their homes. Also, Nisse does not bring gifts to children, entering the house through the chimney at night. Instead, a parent or relative dresses up as Nissa and personally gives gifts to the kids.
Infant Jesus (parts of Germany, Austria, Italy and Brazil)
The baby Jesus is a traditional giver of gifts to children at Christmas in parts of the world where Christianity is the main religion. The baby Jesus was popularized in the 1500s by Martin Luther, who hoped it would help eradicate what he called "the corrupt influence of Saint Nicholas." The baby Jesus is usually depicted as a small, holy child with blond hair and angel wings. The influence of the Child Jesus as the main figure of the holiday began to fade due to the growing popularity of Santa Claus. Unlike other gift givers, the Baby Jesus has never actually been seen. Children were often told that he disappeared seconds before they appeared.
Belsnickel (Germany, Austria, Argentina, United States)
Belsnickel is a legendary figure who is popular in the central regions of Europe as well as some small Dutch communities in Pennsylvania. Belsnickel is Santa's helper who keeps discipline. He is usually depicted as a tall character, whose body is covered with hair. He sometimes wears a mask with a long tongue.
Everyone loves Santa Claus, but they fear Belsnickel: in most regions, they scare children with him so that they behave well.
And although Belsnickel is presented as a negative character, in some regions he is not only responsible for discipline, but also gives gifts. In Germany, for example, on December 6, on the feast of St. Nicholas, obedient children receive sweets and small surprises. Those who have misbehaved during the year are given coal or switches.
Per Noel and Per Fuetard (France)
Per Noel looks like Santa Claus. However, unlike him, he rides a donkey named Gui (translated from French as mistletoe). On December 5, in some regions of France, Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated. One of the figures of this holiday is Per Fuetard; they, like Belsnickel, scare naughty children. In the 1100s, Per Fuetard and his wife are said to have kidnapped and killed three young men, after which they made a stew out of them. After Saint Nicholas discovered the victims and brought them back to life, Fuetar repented of his atrocities and swore to faithfully serve him.
Per Noel puts gifts in shoes left by the fireplace. If a child did not obey his parents, Per Fuetard brought him rusty chains and switches. In more violent versions of the story, he cut out the tongues of children who were caught lying.
La Befana (Italy)
Befana is a mythological character among Italians who looks like a witch. According to the most popular legend, she was good woman who sheltered and fed the three wise men who went to worship the newborn Jesus Christ.
Outwardly, Befana looks more like a Halloween witch: she flies on a broomstick, wraps herself in a black shawl and carries a bag of gifts with her. She avoids people and, they say, can hit a child if he decides to follow her.
Like Santa Claus, Befana enters the house through the chimney to give presents to the children. For naughty boys and girls, she leaves a piece of coal or ashes.
Krampus (Austria, Germany and Hungary)
In the Alpine countries, Santa's helper is a terrible, bloodthirsty monster named Krampus. He different ways punishes disobedient children. It is believed that this character originated hundreds of years ago, but in the 19th century it was banned by the church. Today, in some regions of Bavaria and Austria, December 5 is celebrated as Krampus Day. People dress up in scary costumes and walk through the streets of the city, scaring passers-by. Some places even hold festivals dedicated to Krampus.
Krampus, as you probably already understood, did not give gifts. In traditional folklore, he beat naughty children with a birch rod or gave them a stern warning. In more violent versions of the story, Krampus kidnapped children by hiding them in a sack, which he later dumped into the river.
Sinterklaas and Black Pete (Netherlands, Flanders)
Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Santa Claus. He wears traditional costume red and white beard, has a cheerful disposition and, according to many, had the greatest influence on the appearance modern day Saint Nicholas. Unlike Santa Claus, Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands by boat from Spain every year at the end of November. Upon arrival, he marches through the streets of the city, greeting the kids. Sinterklaas has no elves: a little boy named Black Pete helps him distribute gifts. According to one legend, he was a slave (servant) of Sinterklaas. In other versions, he is presented as a demon. Now Black Pete is often described as a chimney sweep.
Unlike Santa Claus, Sinterklaas brings gifts to children on December 5th, the feast of St. Nicholas. The children leave their boots by the fireplace for the night and some carrots for Sinterklaas' horse. If they obeyed their parents for a year, then Sinterklaas gave them sweets and toys. For bad children, he left coals or bags of salt.
Father Christmas (UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and many more countries)
Father Christmas had the greatest influence on the creation of the image of the modern Santa Claus and still remains the main giver of Christmas gifts in the holiday legends of various countries. Father Christmas is very similar to Santa Claus, however their origin stories are actually slightly different. In the stories of the XVII century, he is depicted as a cheerful old man dressed in a green robe. At the time, he was not a gift giver. He was considered a spirit that proclaims good news, and the embodiment of the joy and fun of the Christmas holidays. Over time, Father Christmas merged with Santa Claus and Sinterklaas and began to play the role of a gift giver.
Modern Father Christmas is practically no different from Santa Claus in terms of the way gifts are given. He rides a reindeer-drawn sleigh and sneaks into houses through chimneys to give gifts to obedient children, who often leave treats for him. In some countries, Greenland is considered the birthplace of the Father of Christmas, in others - Lapland, a former province of Finland.
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