Post at a glance: Santa Claus names around the world, and the legend behind some other famous Christmas gift-bringers. Santa Claus Printable/ Christmas Around the World Printable.
Christmas is almost here.
Malls and shops are already covered in tinsel, stars, reindeers, gnomes, Christmas decorations, and best of all images of Santa Claus.
Santa Claus, that jolly and endearing old man in a red suit with a long white beard.
Santa is facing a pretty busy month in December. He does not even arrive on Christmas Eve all around the world (I guess he is so busy, he chooses some other dates to gift presents to kids around the world)
But wait, did you know that Santa is known by other names in some countries around the world? (download your printable at the end of this post)
Santa Claus Names Around the World
If you live in countries like the United States of America, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom or New Zealand, you will soon have received a Santa Claus visit.
But, these are some of the other names Santa Claus is given around the world.
Father Christmas
Father Christmas is another name for Santa Claus, probably heard more often in the United Kingdom
Father Noel (Pere Noel – France, Papai Noel – Brazil, Papa Noel in lots of other countries)
Pere Noel lives at the North Pole. On Christmas night he brings lots of presents to the children around the world. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? This is clearly our dear Santa Claus!.
By the time he arrives to Brazil and other countries in Latin America he switches clothes into silk to keep him cool in their hot climate.
Saint Nicholas / St Nikolaas / Sinterklaas, Netherlands
Saint Nicholas visits children and brings gifts on 5th December, the eve of St Nicholas ‘Day. Sinterklaas, dressed in his red robes, leads a procession through the town, riding a white horse.
The name Sinterklaas is the origin of Santa Claus. In Dutch:
- Sinter means Santa
- Klass is a short form of the Dutch given name Nicholas.
Hence Sinterklass means Saint Nicholas.
Other Santa-like Gift Bringers Around the World
Santa Claus in not the only endearing old man bringing presents to kids around the world. These are some other Christmas gift-bringers. I guess he can use a bit of help!
Jultomte (Sweeden), Julenisse (Norwegian), Julemand (Denmark) and Joulupukki (Finland)
In Scandinavia (Northen Europe) a really nice old man comes from a nearby forest, bringing presents for kids.
But guess what is super cool about this really nice character?
He doesn’t come down the chimney like Santa does. Instead, he knocks on the front door and kids get to see him!
In Sweden, for example, he will arrive at a house and say “ho ho ho finns det några snälla barn? “ which in English would mean “Ho, ho, ho, are there any nice kids? And then he hands out presents to all the children in the house.
In Finland, to thank Joulupukki, children may sing a few Christmas carols for him.
Hoteiosho, Japan
Like Santa, he’s an old man who carries a big sack over his back. But, unlike Santa, he’s got eyes in the back of his head and he uses them to know when children are naughty or nice.
Father Frost, Russia
Ded Moroz or Father Frost, is the symbol of Russian winter, New Year’s and presents. He is usually accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka, riding with an evergreen tree in a traditional Russian troika, a sleigh drawn by three horses abreast.
Other Gift-Bringers in Christmas Traditions
The Three Wise Men (The Three King)
In countries like Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Paraguay, and Uruguay, kids send their Christmas letters to the Three Wise Men. They arrive on the night of January 5th riding their camels with their bags filled with presents.
Who are these Three Wise Men and why do they arrive so late?
Christian tradition tells us that, when baby Jesus was born, the Three Wise Men arrived from the east bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The Three Kings, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, took a few days to arrive at their destination in Bethlehem, and that’s why kids who still receive their presents from them have to wait till January 5th and don’t get them on December 25th.
La Befana
In Italy, an old woman delivers gifts to the kids during the night of January 5th, filling their socks with candy and presents if they have been good, or with pieces of coal (or dark candy!) if they have been bad.
She enters the houses down the chimney (just like Santa!).
Christian legend says that The Wise Men approached La Befana for directions when they were trying to locate the baby Jesus. That may be why they all ended up arriving on the same date!
By the way, The Wise Men also leave coal for those kids who haven’t behaved didn’t nicely. It sure sounds as if they all exchanged ideas when they met.
Santa Claus Around the World Printable / Christmas Traditions Around the World
Learn how twenty different countries celebrate Christmas with these fun coloring pages.
Countries included: USA, France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Mexico, Georgia, Austria, Netherlands, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Israel, Switzerland, Chile, Turkey.
Interesting Christmas Articles
- Fun Christmas Traditions from Around the World
- Santa Claus Sensory Bottle: Christmas Crafts + Effective Calming Tool
- Stress-Free Christmas for Autism Families
- Sensory Gifts for Kids with Autism
So, who will be bringing you presents next Christmas?
I love this post. Very interesting.