Santa Claus Around the World

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Santa Claus is a figure that is heavily embraced by the United States and Canada as a mythical figure who delivers toys on Christmas eve. But did you know that Santa is quite 'cosmopolitan'?

The figure of Santa Claus derives from the Dutch figure Sinterklass who did not exactly look like the jolly man in red that we know today. He actually originally looked a little more like this!

While in U.S. folklore, Santa Claus lives at the North Pole with elves and Mrs. Claus, he has also been known  by the Finnish to live in the mountains! And in other regions of Europe he lives in the cold upper north.  

Hurry Down the Chimney! The tradition of Santa Claus entering dwellings through the chimney may reach back to the tale of Saint Nicholas tossing coins through a window, and, in a later version of the tale, tossing coins down a chimney when he finds the window locked.Santa's entrance into homes on Christmas Eve via the chimney was made part of American tradition through Moore's A Visit from Saint Nicholas where the author described him as an elf.

In America we leave Santa with a plate of milk and cookies but in England... he prefers sherry and mince pie.    

Children following the Dutch custom for sinterklaas will "put out their shoe" — that is, leave hay and a carrot for his horse in a shoe before going to bed—sometimes weeks beforehand. 

Santa's Name varies from country to country also.

• In Albania he is known as Grandfather Christmas or Grandfather Winter
• In many Latin American countries he affectionately referred to as Papa Noel or Father Christmas
• If you are in Bosnia, Bulgaria or Russia, refer to Grandfather Frost
• Greece and Cyprus celebrate with Saint Basil
• In Germany - ChristmasMan is the guy with presents

Regardless of his name, the food he prefers, the traditions of the regions - the spirit of the Claus legend remains the same... magic and giving, not receiving. We don't know about anyone else but we love the magic and spirit of this season!