One mention of a cheerful man in a red cap immediately gives rise to memories of a happy childhood, the anticipation of the holiday, gifts under the tree and various kinds of goodies. The prototype of Santa and Grandfather Frost was Saint Nicholas, who did not live at the North Pole. The image of the New Year's grandfather took almost 1,700 years to form, and in some countries they even wanted to ban it. Our review contains some very interesting facts about the main New Year's grandfather.

1. Saint Nicholas is not from the North Pole.

Saint Nicholas was a Greek bishop who lived in the third and fourth centuries in a warm country - Greece. Anthropologists reconstructed his face based on the preserved skull and discovered that St. Nick's nose was broken. This may have led to the frequent depictions of St. Nicholas with a big potato nose.

2. Santa is a miracle worker

Every year, many Christians celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6, the day of Nicholas's death. Miracles often happen on this day.

3. Nicholas was originally known as the bringer of gifts

Saint Nicholas was known to bring magical gifts and also became the patron saint of children. According to one of the most famous stories, Nikolai saw three young sisters who were engaged in prostitution in order to survive. He secretly brought three bags of gold to their father (who was heavily in debt) to provide them with a dowry for their wedding.

4. Saint Nicholas is a righteous man

This story was often told during the Middle Ages, but is virtually unknown today. Nikolai once came to an inn where the owner had recently killed three boys, chopped their bodies into pieces and filled barrels with meat to salt them. Nikolai brought the boys back to life.

5. How St. Nicholas disappeared from Christmas celebrations

As the Protestant Reformation swept through much of central and northern Europe, the saints' popularity declined sharply. Thus, the symbol of the bearer of gifts disappeared. Soon, in many families and countries, the “baby Jesus” began to play this role.

6. The custom of giving gifts was moved to another day

When people began to believe not in St. Nicholas, but in the baby Jesus, the day of congratulations and gifts was moved from December 6 to December 25.

7. Santa's ability to fly and eight reindeer

The Norse god Odin likely influenced the development of the story of Santa Claus. One flew on the eight-legged horse Sleipnir (it is believed that this is how the myth of Santa's eight reindeer appeared).

8. The Origin of Santa's Red Suit

One of the main theories about why Santa Claus wears a red suit is that it was because of Nicholas's religious stance (Nicholas wore the red coat of an archbishop).

9. The Dutch still believe in Santa

While much of Europe abandoned Saint Nicholas in favor of the baby Jesus, the Netherlands retained a traditional belief in its own version of the gift-bringing character: Sinterklaas. Dutch settlers later brought this tradition to the United States.

10. Christmas or drinking

After the founding of the United States, most families in this country did not like or even celebrate Christmas. This is explained simply - the States were mainly founded by English settlers, and in England and the colonies it was customary to celebrate the holiday with a lot of alcohol. Therefore, guests often got drunk and rowdy.

11. St. Nicholas was painted almost as often as the mother of Jesus

Among all the religious saints, St. Nicholas (or Santa Claus) has been depicted by artists more than any other except the Virgin Mary.

The image of Santa Claus, which is familiar to everyone today, was first drawn by a cartoonist. Thomas Nast, a political cartoonist in the late 1800s, depicted Kris Kringle wearing a red coat with white fur and being quite well-fed.

13. Legendary Coca-Cola commercial

One of the most famous facts about Santa Claus is that thanks to a Coca-Cola advertisement in 1931, the image of Santa was finally formed into the modern one known to everyone today. It was 84 years ago that Coca-Cola marketers decided to turn the saint into a well-fed, good-natured grandfather, traveling on a reindeer sled and sneaking through chimneys into houses to bring gifts to children.

14. Countries where the fun tradition of gift-giving is unpopular

There are quite a few countries where Santa Claus is not liked, preferring their own characters who bring gifts to him. For example, in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas brings gifts during December, and in southern Germany and northern Austria, Christmas markets are often visited by Krampus.

It turns out that the images of Father Frost and the Snow Maiden were formed in the USSR only in the 1930s. The image of Frost has existed since ancient Slavic times, but only in the 19th century in Russia this image was tied to the original “Christmas grandfather” who gives gifts to children. After the revolution, Father Frost was banned, as was Christmas, and again Father Frost “returned” to the USSR in 1936.

Before the New Year, it's time to find out everything.

Santa Claus is a character who has migrated from fairy tales to reality. Children and teenagers believe in him, and adults resort to his help. The existence of the hero explains the unusual events that occur during the New Year holidays. A grey-bearded old man in a traditional red suit takes care of children and prepares gifts throughout the year. Surprises placed under the tree on New Year's Eve are expected by kids no less than birthday presents. Relationships with a fictional character are built on faith in him and in miracles.

History of appearance

It's hard to believe that Santa Claus is a real person. He lived in ancient times, and his homeland was called not Lapland, but the Lycian Worlds. These are lands located in the territory of present-day Turkey. Mentions of the character date back to 253 AD. The citizen's name is Saint Nicholas. He worked in the rank of bishop, was known as a respectable person and was respected for his faith. Having savings, Saint Nicholas shared with those in need and helped them to the best of his ability. Sailors, merchants and bakers considered him a patron, and children doted on the good hero.

According to tradition established in the 10th century, December 6 was the day of distribution of gifts at the Cologne Cathedral. The custom was quickly adopted in other cities, associating it with the famous St. Nicholas. In Russia the hero's name is .

In the 19th century, American Clement Moore created a poem called "The Night Before Christmas, or the Visit of St. Nicholas." It told the story of the grandfather going from house to house to give gifts to children who had behaved well all year. The character's name - Santa Claus - is associated with a generous donor.

By 1840, almost everyone in the New World had an idea who Santa Claus was. In 1863, artist Thomas Nast used the image of the old man in political cartoons. Subsequently, he described the life of a wizard in illustrations. Since then, it has been generally accepted that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, and his residence accommodates many elves who help make gifts for children.

According to legend, Santa has a house where he lives and works. Here he makes entries in a book of deeds of children from all over the world, assessing who was obedient and who was naughty. It is curious that the hero was originally depicted as an elf, but over time the appearance became more human and similar to that which can be seen in modern images of the character.

Biography

Throughout the year, Santa prepares for the main holiday to pamper children with long-awaited gifts. On the eve of the holiday, he gets into a sleigh drawn by reindeer and flies across the sky to different countries, delivering gifts. Grandfather comes down the chimney into each house, leaves surprises under the tree and treats himself to cookies. Having completed the work, he goes home and again gives the task to the elves, who are collecting gifts for the kids.

Santa is wearing red pants and a jacket with a belt, a neat cap on his head, and high boots on his feet. In some images you can see that the grandfather is not averse to indulging in a smoking pipe. The old man's surroundings are peculiar, but his life story remains mysterious.

Unlike, who has a granddaughter, Santa Claus is lonely. Although some suggest that Mrs. Claus has a right to exist. The old man takes care of himself and has a weakness for milk and cookies, which are usually left for him under the Christmas tree. Among his friends are elves and deer, creatures with whom Santa easily finds a common language.

The magic sleigh is moved through the air by forest deer: Dasher - Swift, Dancer - Dancer, Prancer - Jumper, Vixen - Frisky, Comet - Comet, Cupid - Cupid, Donder - Thunder, Blitzen - Lightning and Rudolf. The last horse joined the herd by accident, overtaking the deer during a snowstorm. It is distinguished by a bright red glowing nose.

If we talk about the person who served as the prototype for Santa Claus, then his biography has more confirmation and known details. Nicholas was born in Asia Minor in 255-257. AD in Patara. The boy's parents died, leaving their property to the heir. He lived with his priest uncle and helped those in need. There is a known case involving the family of a poor man whose daughters could not marry due to lack of a dowry. The girls were going to be sold into slavery.

The night before the first transaction, the eldest daughter hung the stockings to dry after washing, and in the morning she found gold in them. Nicholas helped the girls find happiness. He came to the rescue secretly. After a while he was elected bishop. The hero's life was an example of faith, generosity and cordiality. After Nicholas's death, the tradition of giving gifts and leaving surprises in New Year's stockings continued.

Quotes and facts

In different countries, Santa Claus is represented in different images, and in different languages ​​of the world his name sounds differently. In Russia and Belarus this is Father Frost, in Austria - Sylvester, in Greece - Saint Basil, in Germany - Weinachtsman, in Colombia - Pope Pascual, in France - Père Noel. Holland is a country where Santa is called Sinterklaas. In each state, the wizard hides gifts in his own way. In Sweden, children find them near the stove, in Germany - on the windowsill, in Mexico - in boots, and in Spain - on the balcony. In one corner of the world, Santa Claus is a pagan god, in another he is a wizard, and in the third he is a forest dweller.

In Europe, it is generally accepted that the over-aged children's favorite lives in Lapland. Many families come to stay at Santa Claus's residence on the eve of the New Year. In America, grandfather has residence in Torrington, Connecticut and Wilmington, New York.

Americans made Santa Claus the idol of millions. Thanks to the famous advertising campaign of the Coca-Cola brand, the image of a lively grandfather was fixed in the minds of children and adults. It is not surprising that cartoon characters in the United States accurately voice the nuances of Santa's biography.

“Don’t you know the true meaning of Christmas? It's Santa's birthday!" - speaks .

In the cartoon “Santa's Secret Service,” the position of chief magician is passed down from generation to generation, and the main character declares with dignity:

“Many years ago, my father told me that being Santa was the best job in the world. He was right: I love my job!”

The kind image of a plump old man bringing gifts is cultivated in America and other countries, allowing children to believe in magic and fairy tales. Every New Year's film broadcast during the holidays contains philosophical quotes on this subject.

Film adaptations

Santa has become the hero of numerous animated projects and films. In comedies, parents of large families, notorious bandits, heroes who do not believe in the power of Christmas, and those who lack love and warmth during the cold winter holidays appear in the form of a New Year's wizard.

Filmmakers present Santa Claus as an ordinary family man in the 1994 film “The Santa Claus,” introduce the public to the character forced to play the role of a good wizard in the 2003 film “Bad Santa,” and offer to learn what a grandfather’s family might look like. The film “Fred Claus” tells about this. Santa's Brother" 2007 release. Thanks to the imagination of the directors, the hero of traditional legends appears in a modern form and remains a favorite of the public, regardless of the plot of the film.

The main participants of the Russian winter holidays, Father Frost and Snegurochka, want to remind all residents of Russia that New Year and Christmas are coming soon and it’s time to write a letter to Father Frost and ask him to make your secret dream come true.
The New Year's event for children “Letter to Santa Claus” will be held at the Crimean Railway stations of the peninsula. Snegurochka will help the children compose a letter and write the address correctly December 14 from 9.00 to 16.00 in the railway station building in Evpatoria. All letters will be sent by mail to the residence of Father Frost in Veliky Ustyug, and it is expected that in two weeks the children will receive answers and your dreams will begin to come true.

On December 19, the opening of the Santa Claus Post Office will take place on Theater Square in Evpatoria. and the New Year's competition for the best letters to the main wizard of winter starts. Santa Claus's New Year's mailbox will be open until December 31, 2015.

Father Frost lives in Veliky Ustyug, Vologda region in a large fairy-tale tower and annually receives more than 200 thousand letters from children not only from Russia, but also from all over the world.

Father Frost, accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka, gallops in winter on three frisky horses across the endless northern expanses of Russia. Santa Claus is not afraid of either snow blizzards or bitter Siberian frosts. The gray-haired grandfather is dressed in a warm fur coat, hat and felt boots, holding a magic staff in his hands, from the touch of which the sea waves are pacified and frozen, lakes and reservoirs freeze, and fast rivers are covered with a thick layer of ice.

For children and adults, the arrival of a snowy winter is an inexpressible joy; everyone runs to ski or sled down an ice slide, or spin on skates to cheerful music at the skating rink.

Santa Claus likes the joy and fun of people who are passionate about winter fun, organizing noisy holidays in the middle of winter, for this Santa Claus gives people his fabulous New Year's gifts.

Every year, Santa Claus travels around and inspects his possessions, and begins his New Year's journey across Russia with a visit to the coldest place in the country in Oymyakon, where the official residence is located. Chyskhaana - the lord of the cold in Yakutia. The minimum temperature in Oymyakon ranges from –77.8 to –82 °C. Chyskhaan wears a high hat on his head, decorated with bull horns; according to Yakut legends, he is called Bull of Winter. Every autumn, the Ox of Winter emerges from the Arctic Ocean and brings a symbol of cold to the earth.

Common to all Christians, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, known for his help to poor people and fabulous gifts to obedient children, served as a prototype for New Year's characters in different countries of the world. Santa Claus- one of them. There is still no consensus on where Santa Claus lives; some say in Lapland, others in the immediate vicinity of the North Pole.

Sintaklaas- a New Year's character in the Netherlands and Belgium, travels with his servant Black Peter (Zwarte Piet). U Sintaklaas There is a special big red book where each child and his good and evil deeds are entered. Every year at the end of November he arrives by boat from Spain to bring the children all the gifts for St. Nicholas Day - December 6th. In many cities in Belgium and the Netherlands, Sintaklaasa travels throughout the city and is given a gala reception at the city hall. Sintaklaas does not fit into the house through the chimney, but sends in his place a chimney sweep boy (Black Peter), who puts gifts in the shoes of good children, and bags of salt for bad children. In more ancient legends, Black Peter could kidnap bad children and take them to Spain.

Cheerful old lady Befana or Epiphany flies on a broom to every Italian house on the night of January 5-6, sweeps the floor in the house of hospitable owners, with a broom she sweeps out of the house all the problems and troubles of the past year, for this they leave a small treat and a glass of wine for her.

There is a legend according to which the wise men, hurrying to visit the born Jesus, met an old woman on the way to Bethlehem Epifani Yu, who gave them shelter and fed them. They offered Epifani and go with them to Bethlehem, but she refused. And when she saw the star of Bethlehem at night, she herself decided to go to the baby Jesus with a gift, but she never found his manger. It's been flying ever since old lady Befana on a broom on the night of January 5-6, hoping to find Jesus. Befana gives sweets and toys to good children, and to those who have behaved badly all year, she traditionally leaves a tiny coal, a tuft of wool or a pile of dust.

Per Noil(Pere Noel), accompanied by the “Evil Pope” (La Pere Fouettard), brings New Year's gifts to French children and places them in shoes specially left by the fireplace. And his sinister companion, when visiting naughty children, instead of gifts, gives them a good spanking, and in some versions of the legends, he cuts out the tongues of children who lie a lot. Père Noel rides on a small donkey named Gui, which means “Mistletoe,” and the children leave a treat for the donkey—a carrot.

Delivering New Year's gifts to children in the Czech Republic and Slovakia Grandfather Mikulas (St. Nicholas) December 6 together, he travels with an angel who gives sweets to children and an imp who gives coals and potatoes to naughty kids. In Grandfather Mikulas's festive Christmas retinue there is a little Jerzyshek, a diminutive form of Jezis - baby Jesus. Jerzyshek gives sweets to little residents of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

In Iceland, speaking, there is no single Santa Claus at all; instead, in national folklore there are thirteen strange-looking creatures reminiscent of gnomes. They are called Yule Lads (Yule Lads) that is approximately “Christmas Boys”, and are the sons of a fearsome mountain troll named Gryla. It was previously believed that Yule Lads harm people in every possible way before Christmas for 13 nights, starting from December 12 they steal meat, seasonings and even children.

Each of “Christmas boys” has its own name and clear specialization, for example, Ketkrokur, there is a long hook, with which he steals meat from people. Second, by name Gluggagaegir,peeks through the windows to find something to profit from in human habitation, the third - Stekkjastaur, has pig's feet and scares sheep in barns. Yulnisse is the kindest New Year's gnome, he puts small gifts in children's shoes throughout the 13 nights before Christmas, and naughty children receive potatoes instead of a present.

In the Scandinavian countries - Norway, Finland, Sweden - there is a legend about Tomte or Nisse– small brownies on farms that cause harm on the farm if the farmer is sloppy and does not maintain order in the house and on the farm. With the spread of Christianity in Scandinavia, all gnomes and brownies turned into little Santa Clauses. Modern Tomte are called differently in Scandinavia: Yultomte, Yulnis or Jollupukki (Jultomte, Julnisse, and Joulupukki), they look like Santa Claus, but they are thin and slender, they are not so well-fed, they do not fly on a team of reindeer, but travel on a cart drawn by a goat on the ground. Scandinavian Santa Clauses live not at the North Pole, but in the nearest forest. Unlike Santa Claus, Yultomte do not fly into the chimney with gifts, but simply enter the door when no one is looking.

Yolupukki gives Christmas gifts to children in Finland. Now Yolupukki looks more like Santa Claus, but more than a century ago he was portrayed in goatskin and with small horns on his head, now only deer have antlers. In Finnish Yolupukki means "Christmas goat".

There is a long-standing tradition of giving naughty children coal at Christmas. It existed even before the appearance of Santa Claus, Befana, Sinterklaas and his assistant Black Pete. But with the advent of the fairy-tale grandfather, it did not disappear, but, on the contrary, became an incentive for children to behave decently. There is no particular explanation for this “gift”; for Santa, giving coal is simply an ordinary convenience. Why? Let's figure it out now.

How did this strange tradition come about?

Santa enters the house through the chimney and leaves gifts in socks hanging on the fireplace. Sinterklaas, along with his assistant Black Pete, also goes down the chimney and puts gifts in shoes left near the fireplace. Befana penetrated through a window, and subsequently through a chimney, when they began to be widely used in Europe.

So, all these characters are tied to the fireplace. While filling stockings or shoes, wizards sometimes encountered a child who did not deserve a gift. Therefore, to mark his bad behavior in the past year, he needs to give him a gift that would serve as a hint of this. But the gift should not have been sweets and toys, but something unusual and obscene. It was at this moment that the fireplace came to the rescue. Grandfather just needs to reach out, take a piece of coal and put it in his stocking. Previously, people burned fireplaces with coal, it was very convenient.

What other New Year characters gave bad children

With the exception of Santa Claus, other characters did not limit themselves to coal as a gift. They left twigs, bags of salt, onions and garlic in the shoes of naughty children. By this they tried to show the child that he did not deserve a good gift with his behavior.

It turns out that Santa Claus is just a lazy New Year's Eve wizard. He did not stock up on symbolic gifts for naughty children in advance. What if he were too lazy to reach out for coal? What do you think about it? What would the kids get?

On New Year and Christmas, gifts are given all over the world, although not in every case, it is Santa Claus or his equivalent who does it. Sometimes these can be gnomes, trolls, a scary goat or a baby. A whole galaxy of New Year's creatures are in our selection today.

1. Jolasweinar

A country: Iceland

Jolasweinar are 13 mischievous creatures who replace Father Christmas in Iceland. The first significant mention of them appeared in the early 1930s, when an Icelandic writer wrote a short poem about the role they play in Christmas. Since then they have gone through many different incarnations: from sweet generous givers to harmful pests. At one time they were even called bloodthirsty monsters who kidnap and eat children at night.

But first of all, Jolasweinars are famous for their mischievous character. And everyone has a special trait that is unique to them and sometimes quite strange. For example, Ketkrokur steals meat with a long hook, and Gluggagegir spies on people through the window in order to steal something at night. Stekkjastur walks on stilt legs and chases sheep.

How they give gifts:

But Jolasweinars not only do strange things, they also give gifts to children. For children who behaved well all 13 nights before Christmas Eve, they put good gifts in their shoes. And bad children are given potatoes. Accompanying the Jolasweinars is the Yule Cat, a hungry beast that eats bad children.

2. Nisse

Countries: different areas of Scandinavia

Legends about Nissa are told in the Scandinavian countries: Norway, Finland and Sweden. At first, nisse were the name given to the little gnomes who looked after family farms. They were kind and looked after people, but they loved to play mischief and could often break something or play a cruel joke on someone who mismanaged their lands. As Christianity gained strength, Nisse gradually joined the traditional Christmas holidays around the world, but they themselves changed: they acquired more human features and became more like Santa Claus.

How they give gifts:

Modern nisse, also known as joulupukki, are still very different from Santa Claus and our Father Frost. In particular, they are not fat and do not ride on flying sleighs. And they don’t live at the North Pole, just like in Veliky Ustyug. In some regions, children believe that Nisse live very close to their homes. And, although the Nisse bring gifts to children, they do not climb into the chimney at night. In this respect, the nisse are just like the Russian Grandfather Frost: the father or relative dresses in a nisse costume and personally gives gifts to the children.

3. Baby Jesus

Countries: some provinces of Germany, Austria, Italy and Brazil

In those countries where Christianity has become the main religion, the Baby Jesus gives gifts to children. This was invented back in the 16th century by Martin Luther. He hoped that the more religious the holiday, the greater the chance of eradicating what he considered the harmful influence of St. Nicholas. Because Baby Jesus is meant to be a literal baby, he is usually depicted as a small holy child with blond hair and angel wings. The Baby Jesus's influence as the sole symbol of Christmas has waned with the increasing popularity of Santa Claus, but he is still revered in Catholic countries in South and Central America.

How he gives gifts:

The distinctive feature of the Baby Jesus as a giver is that no one has ever seen him. Children often say that he disappeared moments before they arrived.

4. Belsnickel

Countries: Germany, Austria, Argentina, USA (Dutch Pennsylvania)

Belsnickel is a legendary figure. He accompanies Santa Claus in some regions of Europe, as well as in some small Dutch communities in the American state of Pennsylvania. Like Krampus in Germany and Austria or Père Fauttar in France, Belsnickel is the chief disciplinarian around Santa Claus. Belsnickel usually appears as a figure similar to a mountain man - his body is wrapped in furs, and his face is sometimes covered with a mask with a long tongue. Unlike Santa Claus, who was designed to be loved by children, Belsnickel was designed to be feared. In most regions, it serves as a kind of horror story with which children can be forced to behave.

How he gives gifts:

By all indications, Belsnickel can be classified as a negative character, but in some regions he also gives gifts to children. For example, in Germany, good obedient children receive sweets and small gifts from him on December 6th, St. Nicholas Day. And naughty children will face coals or a whip. In some countries they even say that Belsnickel can appear to children personally and warn them that they need to behave better.

5. Père Noël and Père Fottar

A country: France

Papa Noel is one of the most popular incarnations of Saint Nicholas. In France he is known more than anyone else. He looks like Santa Claus, but instead of reindeer he rides on a single donkey named Gouy, which means "Mistletoe" in French.

In some regions of France, as in many other countries, St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 5th. For this special day, the French have not only Saint Nicholas himself, but also a character called Père Fauttar (Father with a Whip). Like Belsnickel, it is used to intimidate naughty children. Why this happened is clear from his story. Its most common version says that in the 12th century, Per Fottar and his wife kidnapped and killed three young men and cooked them into soup. Then the good Saint Nicholas found and resurrected the victims, and Père Fottar repented of his crime and promised to become his assistant.

How he gives gifts:

Like Sinterklaas and many other variations of Santa Claus, Père Noel places small gifts and candies in shoes to the left of the fireplace. Père Fottar is not so kind and cheerful: he carries with him rusty chains and whips, which he “gifts” to naughty children. Sometimes he is even more cruel - in some regions they believe that he cuts out the tongues of children caught lying.

6. Befana

A country: Italy

In general, Befana is similar to Father Frost and Santa Claus, but outwardly very different from them. Befana is a witch who has become an important part of Yuletide celebrations in Italy. There are different stories told about her, but most often they say that this kind woman gave food and shelter to the three wise men when they went to worship the baby Jesus.

Befana looks colorful. She is depicted as an old woman who flies on a broomstick, wears a black shawl and carries a bag of gifts. Her appearance is terrible, and they say that she can hit any child who is watching her with her broom. Smart children should lie in bed while parents prepare gifts!

How she gives gifts:

Like Santa Claus, Befana descends the chimney into the house and leaves gifts for obedient children, and a piece of coal or ash for naughty ones. And since Befana is known as the best housewife in all of Italy, before going out she sweeps the floor around the fireplace before darting back up the chimney.

7. Krampus

Countries: Austria, Germany and Hungary

In the Alpine countries, Santa Claus comes to children. But not alone: ​​he is accompanied by a terrible bloodthirsty monster named Krampus. His name comes from the German "klaue" - "claw". Krampus is part of Santa Claus' circle, but he is more of an evil character than a good one - at least he beats naughty children or punishes them in other ways in a medieval style.

The legend of Krampus appeared hundreds of years ago, but the church kept it silent until the 19th century. And today it has become part of Christmas in some parts of Bavaria and Austria, where "Krampus Day" or "Krapusteg" is celebrated on December 5th. People dress up in Krampus costumes, walk the streets and scare other people. Some cities even hold entire festivals.

How he gives gifts:

It is clear that gifts are not his style. In traditional folklore, Krampus often beats offending children with rods or gives them a severe reprimand if he's lucky. According to another version, he even kidnaps the worst children in the city, stuffs them into a sack and throws them into the river.

8. Father Frost and Snow Maiden

Countries: Russia, Serbia, Bosnia, Ukraine, Macedonia, Poland and other countries of the former USSR

Our Santa Claus is one of the most interesting New Year's characters in the world. He gives gifts not only to Russian children, but also to children from almost all Slavic countries in Eastern Europe. Santa Claus wears a red fur coat and a white beard, but, unlike Western Santa Claus, he does not ride a sleigh drawn by reindeer. Everything is cooler for him: he rides on a sleigh drawn by three horses.

But the most interesting thing about Grandfather Frost is his story. He was once an evil and vicious sorcerer who kidnapped children and demanded rich gifts as ransom. But over time, he “corrected” himself, and now he himself gives gifts to children. And Father Frost also has a granddaughter, Snegurochka, who helps him. And no one else has a Snow Girl like her.

How he gives gifts:

Santa Claus comes on New Year's Eve or December 31st. He puts gifts under the tree, but sometimes appears at parties and holiday dinners and gives gifts in person.

9. Sinterklaas and Black Peter

Countries: Netherlands, Flanders

Sinterklaas is the Dutch version of Santa Claus. He wears a traditional red suit, a gray beard and is always cheerful. But unlike Santa, he appears in the Netherlands at the end of November every year. They say that he arrives by boat from Spain, and after going ashore he walks through the streets of the city to say hello to all the Dutch children.

There are no elves in Sinterklaas's retinue; Black Peter, a little boy, helps him give gifts. There are many legends about how Black Peter came to travel with Sinterklaas, and some are very controversial. Some say that he was a black servant or even a slave of Sinterklaas, while other legends claim that he is a demon. But due to racist overtones, old stories of Black Peter have been rewritten, and he is now often described as a simple chimney sweep.

How they give gifts:

Sinterklaas brings gifts to children on December 5th, St. Nicholas Day. The children place their shoes next to the fireplace and leave carrots there for Sinterklaas's horse. If they behaved well, they would find candy and gifts in their shoes in the morning. Personally, Sinterklaas does not leave gifts: for this he has Black Peters, who go down the chimney into the house with gifts for good children and coal or bags of salt for bad ones. In old legends, Black Peter kidnapped the worst children and took them to Spain as punishment for terrible behavior.

10. Father Christmas

Countries: UK, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and many others

Father Christmas had a huge influence on the appearance of the “classic” Santa Claus. It is Father Christmas who is the main character of Christmas legends and the giver of gifts in many countries. In his modern incarnation, he is similar to Santa Claus, but their origins are different. In the 17th century, Father Christmas was portrayed as a cheerful old man dressed in a green robe. He did not yet give gifts, but was the spirit of good news and the joy of Christmas. This incarnation was taken as a basis by the famous writer Charles Dickens, who created his Spirit of the present Christmastide from the story “A Christmas Carol.” However, over time, Father Christmas became like Santa Claus and Sinterklaas and also began to give gifts to children.

How he gives gifts:

Basically, he does everything the same as Santa Claus: he rides a sleigh pulled by reindeer and goes down the chimney into the house to leave gifts for good children. Families often leave treats in the house for him and the reindeer, although these vary from country to country. In addition, the house and appearance of Father Christmas depend on the country. In some countries, he wears a green suit instead of a red one and does not always live at the North Pole: some countries “settle” him in Greenland, Lapland or Finland.