Santa’s around the world

Russia
Дед Мороз
Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost)
In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on 7th
January, which is the Orthodox Christmas.
However, people do also exchange presents on
New Year’s Eve. It is believed that Ded Moroz
brings presents with the help of his
granddaughter, Snegurka. The tradition goes
that children make a circle around the
Christmas tree and call for Ded Moroz and
Snegurka. When they appear, the star and other
lights on the Christmas tree light up.
France
Pere Noel
The French Santa Claus has a
unique sense of style. Instead of
the traditional red hat, Pere Noel
has a fur-lined hood on his
fashionable long cloak. Instead of
leaving milk and cookies out for
Santa, children leave carrots and
treats for Pere Noel’s flying
donkey, Gui (that’s French for
“mistletoe!”)
 Los Reyes Magos
Spain
In Spain, well-behaved children are visited by
not one, but three men. These men are known
as Los Reyes Magos, or the three wise men (or
magi). In the days leading up to El Dia de
Reyes, children write letters to their favorite
mago – Melchor, Gaspar, or Baltasar.
 England
Father Christmas
Father Christmas first appeared as a character in Christmas
His Masque, a 1616 play. When Father Christmas first
began showing up in illustrations, he wore many different
colored robes, including green, purple, blue, and brown.
Today, Father Christmas closely resembles the American
Santa; a jolly, well-nourished, white bearded man in a fur-
lined robe. However, the traditional British Father
Christmas still wears a green cloak, a wreath of holly or
ivy, and carries a staff.
Sinterklaas The Netherlands
Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of
Santa Claus who most
resembles St. Nicholas, the patron
saint of children and inspiration for
the modern Santa Claus legend.
Sinterklaas comes riding into town on
a white horse, wearing a tall, red
bishop's hat and a jeweled staff. He
knocks on doors and brings gifts to
good children, while his
companion, Grumpus, rattles chains at
naughty children and threatens to
kidnap them.
 Serbia
Saint Nicholas
Nikoljdan, the day when St.
Nikola (Nicholas) is celebrated in
Serbia, is celebrated on 19th
December. He is considered one of
the greatest Christian saints, protector
of travelers, sailors and the poor. As
the Christmas fast is in progress,
customs require that only food
according to the Fast is prepared. St.
Nicholas is today represented in the
society as Santa Claus,
meaning Santa Claus, who, before
Christmas, leaves presents for
children in socks.
 Iceland
The thirteen Yule Lads
The majority of countries have only one Santa Claus who
brings presents to children at Christmas, but Iceland has
thirteen: the Jólasveinar, or ‘Yule Lads’. The Jólasveinar are
said to visit children one at a time on the thirteen nights
leading up to Christmas Day, leaving a treat for those who are
well-behaved.
Each of the Yule Lads has their own specific name and
personality, from Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker)
to Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper).
 USA
Santa Claus
The tradition of Santa that Americans know
and love — with a red suit, long white
beard, jolly laugh, and sack full of presents
— can find its origins in dark pagan
traditions that mark the middle of winter, as
well as Christian legends of the third century
monk known as St. Nicholas.
Coca‑Cola advertising played a big role in
shaping the jolly character we know today.
Before 1931, there were many different
depictions of Santa Claus around the world,
including a tall gaunt man and an elf —there
was even a scary Claus.

The original ad for Coca-Cola