In the United States, he is known as Santa Claus. He is the jolly old elf who slides down chimneys to bring gifts and good cheer to children around the world. Santa is legendary, immortalized in song and literature, and seen in shopping malls everywhere. Known by many names, Santa Claus is recognized worldwide, often under aliases and similar, though not identical, costumes. However, his job remains the same.
Santa Claus Around the World
Most of us know him as Kris Kringle, a name that originated in Southern Germany, literally translated to mean “Christ Child.” In Germany, children also refer to him as Weihnachtsmann, which means Christmas Man.
The French call him Père Noël, which isn’t too far from Spain’s Papá Noel. In both Spanish- and French-speaking countries, he is often referred to as Father Christmas in translation.
In the Netherlands, he is Sinterklaas, and it’s speculated that by slightly mispronouncing this name, the American “Santa Claus” came to be. While this is merely speculation, it certainly makes sense.
Countries such as Croatia consider Santa Claus to be more of a grandfatherly figure than a father figure, giving him the name Grandfather Christmas. Bulgaria borrowed their version from the Russians, calling him Grandfather Christmas and dressing him similarly.
Some countries feature versions of Santa Claus that aren’t necessarily tied to Christmas celebrations. For example, in several European traditions, Santa appears around December 6th, not as a gift-bringer, but more as a Christ figure. In these cases, translations often mean “Christ Child” or “Little Jesus,” and these figures also bring treats or gifts, just like Santa.
In Finland and Scandinavian countries, there is a distinct tradition of the Yule Goat. The Yule Goat delivers cherished gifts while hoping for a bite of porridge to keep him warm and energized for his busy night.
Of course, each Santa-like figure is modeled after Saint Nicholas, who spent his life and inheritance giving to those in need, often anonymously. Various versions of Santa exist in Asia, islands, and even the Middle East, with many delivering gifts as early as December 5th. Regardless of the details, the core of the tradition remains the same. Jolly Old Saint Nick is alive and well, spreading joy worldwide.
In Lichtenstein and Austria, the Santa figure is called ChristKind. This figure is a blend of religious symbolism and the traditional Santa Claus persona. In Italy, the whole family gets involved in gift-giving. While Babbo Natale is recognized as Father Christmas, gifts are delivered by La Befana, a woman who rides a broom instead of a sleigh. Although she is not considered a witch, she performs the traditional Western role of Santa Claus from her broomstick.
The only country that doesn’t have a Santa Claus figure is Israel, where most of the population is Jewish and has no Santa Claus figure tied to Jewish traditions.
Traditions, dates, and the very essence of Santa Claus vary by country. Some celebrate him as a gift-bringer, while others honor him as a historical religious figure. The universal recognition of Santa Claus shows that he is much more than a figurehead for encouraging holiday spending. In a time when people are becoming increasingly sensitive to the commercialization of Christmas, the fact that Santa is celebrated worldwide demonstrates that the commercialization of Christmas is, in fact, a personal choice.
As Santa Claus takes on different forms, the essence of his purpose remains unchanged. His mission in this world is to deliver gifts, spread joy and cheer, and, of course, encourage the imagination of children everywhere.