Christmas gift-bringers of Europe

[Magnolia]

[Moje ime]

In Serbia before WW2 he was called Bozic Bata

[Hrvoje Vukčić Hrvatinić]

small jesus is traditional gift bringer in croatia, grandfather christmas is communist invention. real grandfather frost bring presents for silvester

[Peterski]

Not all of Poland has Santa, there is a "Santa-Free Zone":

https://www.flickr.com/photos/micorasol/23839804431/

http://spifczyk.tumblr.com/post/1357...-eve-i-grew-up

"This map is a part of series of maps showing regional variations of who brings presents on Christmas, according to family traditions. Święty Mikołaj (Santa Claus) is the most popular, followed by Gwiazdor (Star-man, popular in Greater Poland and Kashubia), Dzieciątko (Little baby Jesus, popular in Upper Silesia), Aniołek and Gwiazdka (little Angel and little Star, mostly southern Poland)."



This zone is mainly dominated by Gwiazdor, but not exclusively.

In the south of this area they have Dzieciątko Jezus (Baby Jesus).

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Gwiazdor (Star-Man): https://66.media.tumblr.com/db86cc60...ze0o5_1280.png



Baby Jesus: https://66.media.tumblr.com/e4d3613d...ze0o3_1280.png



Little Angel: https://66.media.tumblr.com/32745fab...ze0o1_1280.png



Gwiazdka (Little Star): https://66.media.tumblr.com/f0182312...ze0o4_1280.png



Grandpa Frost: https://66.media.tumblr.com/7b4579c9...ze0o2_1280.png



Saint Nicholas: https://66.media.tumblr.com/5acd93cb...ze0o6_1280.png



PS:

Gwiazdor should be translated as Starman (Star-Man), not just Star.

[Ryujin]

It is called Noel Baba in Turkish. There is a statue of him in Demre, Antalya, where the historical figure that is considered to be the source of inspiration for the Santa Claus was born in.



Turkey does not celebrate the Christmas on 24th, however the New Year's Eve is celebrated with Christmas elements such as decorated trees and Santa Claus.

[frankhammer]

Interesting. I've heard the name father Christmas used but all my grandparents (when alive) and parents along with every other person use Santa Claus.

[Teutone]

Catholics in west Germany also use Christkind, but both terms are common all over Germany.

Leftist try to get rid of the "Weihnachten" term, cause its not inclusive enough for minorites. Just like in the USA they say happy holidays instead of christmas.

[Mens-Sarda]

In the Italian tradition the gifts are brought by "Babbo Natale" (father Christmas, which it's just a caricature of St. Nicholas), in some areas of northern Italy it's "Santa Lucia", while in some areas of the south it's "San Nicola". In Sardinia instead none of these, but the gifts are brought by "Su Bambinu Jesús" (the baby Jesus) or "su Bambineddu" (the little child).

Same thing for the Epiphany. In Italy the gifts are brought by the "Befana", an elder woman similar to a witch. In Sardinia instead the gifts are brought by "Sos tres Res" (the three kings), the three Mages.

[Peterski]

Here St. Nicholas brings presents on 6 December and Gwiazdor at Christmas.

[Dandelion]

We have both 'De Kerstman' and 'Sinterklaas'. More European countries are like that though, having split between both gift bringers. The first is someone imported through American influence, I suppose. Interesting how Central Europeans have the most Christian one (in name, as it's still pagan in origin of course).

Sinterklaas is paid more attention to for children, whereas Christmas is about family spending time together more than anything else with de Kerstman more like a symbol for the gift-giving. Sinterklaas arrives on December 6th here, whereas he does in the Netherlands on December 5th.