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It’s Christmastime! Apart from the tree with gifts piled at the bottom, another icon synonymous with the holiday has a white beard, red garb, and a distinctive laugh.
Based on the real-life Christian saint Nicholas, Santa Claus is considered by many Christians as the patron saint of children.
With his jolly demeanour and sack of presents, he is known to fly around the world in his sleigh pulled by reindeer, and climb down chimneys to deliver presents to children everywhere.
That said, Santa Claus isn’t necessarily the central figure of the holiday in other countries, as each as its own tale to tell – from Italian witches to Icelandic trolls. So if you’ve grown jaded of putting on that Santa hat, how about drawing some inspiration from one of the following?
1. Los Reyes Magos (Spain)
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Christians believe that among the first people to pay their respects to the infant Jesus were Three Wise Men who brought valuable gifts with them. In Spain, this trio plays the role of Santa Claus, delivering gifts on Jan 6, which is said to be the day the men came to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.
In the lead-up to this day, called Three Kings Day, children write to the three men asking for gifts.
And just as North Americans leave out milk and cookies for Santa Claus, children in Hispanic countries leave out sweets for the kings, hay for their camels, and shoes to collect the gifts in.
Both Christmas and Three Kings Day have been celebrated in more recent years, so some lucky Spanish children receive gifts on both days!
2. La Befana (Italy)
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Who needs a reindeer-drawn sleigh when you have a broom? And who needs a jolly old man when you have a cheerful cackling witch? In Italy, the benevolent witch La Befana is the central figure of its Christmas traditions.
She is often depicted coated from head to toe with soot as she, like Santa, enters homes through the chimney.
Stories of her have been told at least since the 8th century, and legend has it that she declined an invitation from the Three Wise Men to go with them to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus on the first Christmas.
Changing her mind at the last minute, she missed the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and now has to make up for her mistake by delivering gifts to good children throughout Italy every Christmas.
3. Ded Moroz (Eastern Europe)
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This mythical figure is an elderly bearded man clad in a fur coat and hat with a long magic staff. His name? Ded Moroz, or “Grandfather Frost” in Russian.
His story suggests a pagan origin – he was a wizard or demon who would kidnap misbehaving children. Over time, and with influence from the Orthodox Church, the terrifying figure took on a much friendlier appearance and became a popular figure.
Funnily enough, the Soviets banned depictions of him early on in their rule, but did not bother to enforce the rule as the authorities figured it would be better to give children something to be happy about.
Unlike most other versions of Santa Claus, Ded Moroz is always accompanied by his granddaughter and assistant, Snegurochka the Snow Maiden.
4. Krampus (Germany)
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Germans are often stereotyped as lacking a sense of humour. Whether or not that’s true, they certainly appreciate a darker side to their Christmas celebrations.
The half-demon, half-goat abomination often follows Santa Claus when the jolly old man goes on his deliveries. Krampus carries chains adorned with bells, which he rattles to give a heads-up of his imminent arrival.
But while Santa delivers gifts to well-behaved children, Krampus punishes naughty kiddos and sometimes even spirits them away to Hell itself. How festive!
He is believed to have originated as a pagan deity and worshipped as a horned god of witches – and is now, naturally, part of German Christmas tradition.
5. Yule Lads (Iceland)
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Instead of one jolly old man to love, the people of Iceland have 13 trolls who play tricks on people alongside the usual gift-giving.
The children of giants, the Yule Lads are pranksters who annoy the populace as they pass through the towns of Iceland in the 13 nights leading up to Christmas.
Children leave shoes on windowsills to be filled with gifts by the trolls, although if a child has misbehaved, they get a potato instead.
Each of the 13 Yule Lads has their own favourite way of harassing people, ranging from stealing cooking utensils to slamming doors in the middle of the night.
In recent years, the Yule Lads have taken on a more Santa Claus-like look, no longer wearing their traditional medieval Icelandic outfits.
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