For many children across our globe, the jolly man who travels to homes all over the world in one single night and brings toys and other special gifts—small and large–to children is considered to be one of the important symbols of the Christmas holiday. In the United States and Canada, his name is Santa Claus. He has a very round belly, a snow-white, long beard, and blue eyes that twinkle brightly. He always wears a red flannel suit trimmed in white fur, a matching red hat, a wide black belt, and black boots. He always makes his visit during the night on December 24 (Christmas Eve). However, in other parts of the world, he has different names and different appearances. 
Santa Claus actually started out as a version of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, known as Neptune by the Romans. The early Greek sailors feared him so much. He could bring terrible storms in the sea or grant them safe journeys. To try to ensure safe journeys, the Romans and Greeks would hold a festival on December 6 to honor him. Many countries still continue to celebrate on December 6th. However, because of the rise of Christianity, the day was changed to San Nicholas Day in honor of an Asian bishop. The benevolent bishop Nicolas of Myra wore red clothing, rode a horse that could fly, and gave gifts at the same time. According to legend, St. Nicholas (today’s spelling of his name) was born in the city of Patara and traveled to Palestine and Egypt when he was young. He was later imprisoned during the persecutions of the Emperor Diocletian but was released by the more humanitarian Emperor Constantine. He attended the first council of Nicaea in 325. In Greece, St. Nicholas is known as Hagios Nikolaos, Bishop of Myra (in the present day of Turkey). St. Nicholas reportedly died about 350 A.D. Today this mythical character is still alive and well and is known all over the world as Nicholas of Myra, Santa Claus or just “Santa” in the USA. He has been the patron saint of Russia, Greece, children, sailors, prisoners, bakers, pawnbrokers, shopkeepers and wolves. The story also tells that he used to give anonymous donations of gold coins to persons in need. The relics of St. Nicholas are in the basilica of St. Nicola, in Bari, Italy. They were stolen from Myra in 1087 A.D. For this this reason he is sometimes known as St. Nicholas of Bari. 
Now let us look at the origin of many of the fun traditions and customs surrounding this wonderful man loved by so many people. Santa’s characteristics can be divided into two groups: those with traditional religious meanings and those with pagan origin. First the religious ones include these: The gifts children receive originate from St. Nicholas and the Magi (the three wise men from the Orient in the story of the birth of Jesus); St. Nicholas is usually depicted with a beard and the Magi are also bearded, so Santa has been pictured with a beard as well; even Santa’s costume is derived from St. Nicholas and the Magi, but the fur linings were added because of the Northern American myth; and his cap most likely came from the bishop’s mitre of St. Nicholas and the headgear worn by the old Magi. The non-religious interpretations come from the location and lifestyle of the people. Since Santa supposedly lives in the North and needs transportation, the reindeer seemed like a great idea and flying reindeer added to the amazing fantasy. In the USA and England, the stocking is used for a place to put small gifts. Santa also enters through the chimney of those homes that have them because his visit is a secret and is done at night while good little boys and girls are sleeping soundly in their beds “with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.” This tradition may have stemmed from a very popular 1823 poem by Clement C. Moore called “A Visit From St. Nichols.” This poem was written for Moore’s children and was later published for the general public. Since Christmas is generally depicted as occurring during a cold time of year, the North Pole-a location remote to most people–has become the traditional home of the American Santa Claus and also adds to his mystique.
Let us now travel around the world and discover the many versions of this delightful holiday tradition.
In France, Belgium, and many other French-speaking countries, his name is Pere Noel. In Morocco he has known as Black Peter. He wears a red suit with the white trim and black belt. He is known to spank the bad children and reward the good children with gifts. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, he traveled with his sidekick Pre Fouettard who had the job of deciding which child was naughty and which one was nice. Today French children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for Pere Noel’s reindeer before they go to sleep in exchange for good gifts. (In the USA, children leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk instead.) 
Sinterklass in Denmark and some Dutch-speaking countries is much thinner than the USA version. He rides on a white horse and arrives by boat on the first Saturday in November. Instead of the elves who work with Santa and create the toys at the North Pole, this Sinterklaas has helpers called Zwarte Pieten (Black Petes) who help him hand out gifts and candy. In Holland, Sinterklass arrives by boat on December 6. Children leave a wooden shoe filled with a picture they made or hay and carrots for the donkey carrying the package of toys. In the evenings, Dutch children sing songs in front of the fireplace or in the living room as they leave their shoes for gifts. Also on December 5th, Dutch families have a “Pakjesavond” (Presents Night) and exchange presents or gifts.
Papa Noel in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America visits children on January 5 (Epiphamy—the 3 Kings’ Day). Children leave their shoes under the Christmas tree before they go to bed, and Papa Noel fills them with small gifts and candy. In Spain some children do also receive gifts on December 24th as well. For most Latin American countries, December 25th is a day mostly for the religious observance of the birth of Christ, and Epiphany is the day for exchanging gifts. All of Latin America and Spain are predominantly Catholic. Thus, for many of these countries, Baby Jesus or el Nino Jesus brings gifts for the children. (In some countries Baby Jesus brings the gifts on Epiphany, but in others it is the three kings or wise men.) This is also true for Costa Rica, Columbia, and parts of Mexico as well as in Brazil and Peru where he is called Papai Noel. In Puerto Rico, children receive gifts from the Three Kings on January 6th by putting grass under their bed for the camels. In the morning the grass is replaced with gifts. However, Puerto Rico also follows the practice of the USA with its major gift giving on December 25 with the Christmas tree and Santa Claus. 
In Russia, Grandfather Christmas (Dedushka Moroz) wears a long, heavy robe in the seasonal colors of red, ice blue, silver, or gold, trimmed with thick, heavy fur. He wears a cap that is more rounded, rather than the pointed variety favored by Santa Claus in the west. He is also tall and slender. He travels with three horses hooked to a troika (sled)—not a sleigh with reindeer. He delivers his gifts on New Year’s Eve—not Christmas Eve. His home base is the Russian village of Veliky Ustyug—not the North Pole. There is also a Russian counterpart in some parts of the country known as Grandfather Frost (Babushka). He is accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka (Snow girl), a merry girl who helps him provide a New Year’s party for children as well bringing them gifts. He wears a long fur coat covered by bright beautiful clothing (blue or red) trimmed in fur. Today Grandfather Frost is connected to New Year’s celebrations, but before 1917 he was much more related to Christmas. More gift giving practices occur in other countries, too.
In Germany and Switzerland, the “Christkindl” or Christ Child brings gifts. In some cities Christkindl is an angel that comes down from heaven to give gifts. In China, Christmas old man (Shengdan Laoren) brings the gifts. In Sicily spirits of the deceased bring gifts. Italian children expect a good witch named Befana to fly through the air on her broom and bring gifts. Santa rides in Australian jet skis, has a white beard, and wears a red swimsuit in the land down under. A gnome named “Juletomten” brings gifts in a sleigh driven by goats to the Swedish children. In Japan, Santa Claus is simply called “Santa” and many children call him Uncle Santa (Santa does ojisan). India, Baba is a bit thinner than in the West and gives gifts from a horse and a cart. Finally, in Finland, the gift giver is called Joulupukki. Many writers and artists have been influential in designing the features of Santa Claus. 
As said earlier, Clement Moore’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” depicted the early nineteenth century American Santa Claus which has endured for many generations now. Painter Thomas Nast found his inspiration from Moore for his modern day painting of today’s Santa Claus in 1870. The magical character of Santa Claus no matter what his name is has brought many people around the world together. Children all over the world know who Santa is, and even though he may have become very commercial over the years, who cannot love and enjoy this jolly old fellow? After all, it is the idea of giving that reminds all of us that we are all living on this planet together, and Santa is one special way to bring a little joy each year to our crazy, hectic world.
Randi D. Ward
December 3, 2013
