Beyond Santa Claus: 3 Christmas Gift-Bringers From Around The World

[Fitness-Fanatic]

1) La Befana

Country: Italy

Back-story:

La Befana is portrayed as an old witch-like character who wears a black shawl and carries a bag of gifts. She travels the world on a broomstick every year on the night between the 5th and 6th of January, which is the Epiphany day. The Epiphany , marks the official end of the Christmas season, commemorating the day when the three Wise Men arrived at the manger bearing gifts. According to the Italian legend, Befana, refused to join the Wise Men on their journey to visit the baby Jesus. After regretting the missed opportunity, she now wanders the world in search of the baby Jesus ,but never finds him. So instead, she leaves gifts for other children.

Gift-Giving Style:

La Befana climbs down the chimney to leave gifts for the children who have been good , and she leaves behind a piece of coal or ash for those who have been naughty.

2) Christkind

Country: Germany

Backstory:

Christkind was originally depicted as Jesus, but today it is depicted an angelic blond child or adult woman.The Christkind was introduced by the German protestant Priest Martin Luther ,who did not want a Catholic saint bringing gifts to the Protestant children of Germany. At the time, tradition held that gifts were given by St. Nicholas. He considered it blasphemous to idolize saints rather than Jesus himself. However, Protestants, didn't acknowledge saints, so Christkind was introduced as an alternative gift- giver.

Gift-Giving Style:

The Christkind brings children their presents on December 24th ,and leaves them underneath the Christmas tree

3 )Yule Lads

Country: Iceland

Backstory:

The Yule lads are a group of thirteen mischievous troll-like creatures that have largely taken the place of Santa Claus in the Icelandic celebration of Christmas. They can be traced back to the early thirties. Since then they've gone through many different incarnations, from lovable playful gift-givers to bloodthirsty creatures that kidnap and eat children in the night. Each of the thirteen Yule Lads is known for playing a different trick.

Gift-Giving Style:

The Yule Lads give gifts to children in the thirteen nights leading up to Christmas Eve . They place small gifts in the shoes of well-behaved kids,and naughty children are given potatoes

[Zorax]

Very interesting Take, but don't forget about Ded Moroz (Father Frost, or Grandfather Frost to be more accurate).
Most people in the western world consider this character as "The Russian version of Santa Claus", however, Grandpa Frost actually predates Christianity.
Origin of this character is from pagan Slavic mythology (Děda Mráz in Czech republic, Dyado Mraz in Bulgaria, Dziadek Mróz in Poland, Djed Mraz in Croatia, Deda Mraz in Serbia, Dedek Mraz in Slovenia, Đed Mraz in Montenegro etc).
Unlike Santa Claus/Saint Nicholas (aka Kris Kringle or Father Christmas), who brings presents for Christmas eve, Grandfather Frost actually brings presents on New Year's eve.
In modern times, Grandfather Frost was re-popularized by the communist parties in former USSR, ex Czechoslovakia, ex Yugoslavia and other Slavic countries, but also in some non-Slavic socialist countries like Romania, Hungary and Albania.
After the dissolution of socialism in Eastern Europe, both Catholic and Orthodox church were trying to replace Grandfather Frost with Santa Claus and/or Father Christmas (Djed Božićnjak & Sveti Nikola, Święty Mikołaj, Vánoční Dědeček & Svatý Mikuláš, Božić Bata, Dyado Koleda etc).
Anyway, Grandfather Frost is still quite popular in some of the ex socialist countries, mostly among Slavic Atheists, who celebrate New Year, but not Christmas or any other religious holiday. For that purpose, we also have a custom of decorating the New Year Tree (also used in some non-Slavic and non-socialist countries e. g Turkey).

Grandfather Frost and his granddaughter & assistant Snegurochka: 02varvara.files.wordpress.com/.../...egurochka.jpg

Traditional Father Frost outfit: https://i.redd.it/bho71650ee5y.jpg

Ded Moroz and his magic staff: upload.wikimedia.org/.../1200px-Ded_Moroz_72.jpg

Grandpa Frost and his snow sled: http://www.mirmouse.ru/otkr/troyka.jpg

The main differences between Grandfather Frost and Santa Claus:
i1.wp.com/.../Santa-vs-Frost.jpg

[Zorax]

Thanks for the MHO, Happy New Year ✌️😃👍

[Astoriana]

According to my Italian father, La befana leaves "tricks" for naughty children. Apparently, this means sticks or willow switches.

[Whatthefluff]

Nice Mytake! My mom always told me about La Befana as a kid lol

[dolemite68]

Really cool take, never heard of these before thanks for posting

[CaptainSmartass]

Very interesting. There's me thinking it was Father Christmas everywhere...

Simples...