Christmas is a very special time for many
children -- the day presents are left by a
magical person.

  • In the United States and Canada, his name is Santa Claus. He flies through the sky in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer.
  • In England and Ireland his name is Father Christmas. He looks much like Santa Claus, but he has a longer coat and a longer beard.
    •
  • In France, he's known as Pere Noel.
    •
  • In Brazil and Peru, he's called Papai Noel.

  • In Germany, children get presents from Christkindl, the Christ Child on the 25th of December. Also, in Germany St. Nicholas and his helper Knecht Ruprecht come on the 6th of December. Knecht Ruprecht brings coal or a wooden stick to the children that have not been good, St. Nicholas brings mostly cookies, nuts and a small toy to the good children.

  • In Costa Rica, Colombia, and parts of Mexico, the gift bringer is El Nino Jesus, "the infant Jesus."

  • In Puerto Rico, children receive gifts from the Three Kings on January 6th. Each child puts grass under their bed for the camels and in the morning the grass is replaced with gifts.

  • Julgubben in Sweden. Julgubben visits in the evening before Christmas day, pulling a big bag of julklappar in the deep snow (Christmas presents).
    •
  • På norsk ( in Norwegian) "Julenissen" arrives on the evening of the 24th.

  • In the Netherlands, he is called Kerstman. He flies through the sky with his reindeers and puts gifts under the Christmas tree on the 25th of December. De Kerstman lives in Finland. His counterpart "Sinterklaas" is another saint, who is celebrated on the 6th of December. Sinterklaas comes back every year from his home in Spain by steamboat, together with him are a whole group of "zwarte pieten" who help him while he's riding on the roofs - distributing gifts through the chimney.

  • In Finland, he is called Joulupukki.
    •
    • In Spain the children the night of January 5th put their shoes under the Christmas tree and have presents from the Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos: Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar). Santa Claus is called Papa Noel and there are children who have presents both days on December 25th (from Papa Noel) and on January 6th (from the Three Kings).

    • In Russia, he is called Grandfather Frost or Ded Moroz.
    • In Czechoslovakia, he is called Saint Mikolas.

    • He is also called Kriss Kringle - origin unknown.

    • He is also called St. Nick origin Turkey.

    • Karácsony Apó, is Santa in Hungarian.

    • In Italy, he is called Babbo Natale.

    • Black Peter, St Nick's helper which originates from
      Morocco or Liberia.

    • In China, he is called Shengdan Laoren.

    • In Denmark they call him, Juliman.

    • In Hong Kong they call him Sing dan lo ian in Cantonese.

    • In Slovenia they call him Bozicek.

    • In Latvia Santa Claus is called Ziemmassve'tku veci'tis.



    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

     

    If there is one that is missing please email to us.