Santas Around the World 

Santa Claus or a similar character is known the world over. The white-bearded, rotund figure wearing a red suit trimmed with fur is a universal image. However, it was actually popularized in the United States in the 19th century by the drawings of Thomas Nast, an illustrator and political cartoonist. The icon that was created in 19th century America was adopted through the years by countless countries around the globe, each altering it slightly to suit their own cultures and traditions. Wherever he is found, Santa symbolizes the spirit of holiday giving and good cheer.

Père Noël, as Santa Claus is known in France, is a kindly old gentleman with the well-known white beard and red suit trimmed with white fur. He travels through the countryside on Christmas Eve and leaves gifts in the sabots, or traditional wooden shoes, left out for him by the children. In one area of France, Père Noël may have some competition from Aunt Airie, a fairy who wears a cape, travels with a donkey and also gives out gifts.

Throughout Scandinavia, there was a widely believed superstition that there were tiny magical creatures called nisse, who lived in attics and cellars and brought good luck into a household. With the growing popularity of Santa Claus and other holiday gift-bearers, the Scandinavians felt that they needed a similar figure, so they gave the nisse a red suit and a long white beard and called him Julenisse. In Denmark and parts of Norway, Julenisse comes and knocks on the door after the traditional Christmas Eve dinner, bringing gifts for the children. In Sweden, a similar gnome named Jultomten brings the gifts each year.

Not all "Santas" are male. According to legend, La Befana was an old woman from Palestine who refused an offer to go with the Magi to see the baby Jesus because she had too much housework to do. A few hours after they left, she changed her mind, but it was too late to catch up with them. Ever since, La Befana, which means "The Epiphany" in Italian, wanders throughout Italy on January 5th in search of the Christ Child. In her travels, she stops at all the houses of the children and leaves presents for them to make up for not having joined the Magi on their journey to Bethlehem.

Very similar to the legend of La Befana, Babushka was a witch-like old woman who gave the Magi wrong directions on their trip to Bethlehem. In order to atone for her trick, she was condemned to roam around Russia on Epiphany Eve, giving presents to all good children. Babushka was very popular in Russia until the Communist Revolution, after which she was outlawed due to her religious association.