| To understand the differences in cultures, have a | | | | steal. He starts visiting on 21 December and leaves |
| look at the different Santa's that exist in the world. | | | | on 3 January. |
| Santa is one of the great symbols in the United | | | | Stúfur, Stubby. He is abnormally short and |
| Stated for Christmas but not all countries have the | | | | steals pans to eat the crust left on them. He starts |
| same Santa. Since Christianity in days of old was | | | | visiting on 14 December and leaves on 27 December. |
| trying to bring more people into the faith, the church | | | | Scandinavia |
| and newly converted people adapted local customs | | | | In much of the Scandinavian countries the Christmas |
| to make the birth of Christ easier for people to | | | | Eve gift giver is the Jultomten or Christmas Gnome. |
| understand. | | | | Originally a goblin who brought good or bad luck to |
| Santa may seem like a small way to measure | | | | farmers; he became popular as the gift giver in the |
| cultures, but once you understand that something so | | | | 19th century. |
| simple as Santa is different in different markets, you | | | | Russia |
| can begin to understand how you have to change | | | | Babushka is a traditional Russian Christmas figure who |
| your selling style to match your different markets. | | | | gives gifts to children. Her name means grandmother |
| A Brief History Of Santa Claus | | | | and the legend is told that she decided to not go |
| Saint Nicholas is the common name for Nicholas of | | | | with the wise men to see Jesus because of the cold |
| Myra, a Lycian saint and Bishop of Myra in Lycia of | | | | weather. Later she regretted not going and set off |
| Anatolia. Because of the miracles attributed him, he is | | | | to try and catch up, filling her basket with presents. |
| also known as Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. He | | | | She never found Jesus, and that is why she visits |
| had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting | | | | each house, leaving toys for good children. |
| coins in the shoes of those who left them out for | | | | In a recent article in Russia, about Santa, he was |
| him, and is now commonly identified with Santa Claus. | | | | declared an 'illegal immigrant' according to a top |
| Sinterklaas is a traditional holiday figure in the | | | | Kremlin official in Christmas 'Cold War'. |
| Netherlands and Belgium, celebrated every year on 5 | | | | On 1 January, D'yed Moroz bring gifts and he arrives |
| December, Saint Nicholas' eve, or on the morning of | | | | at the Kremlin celebration aboard a Sputnik-drawn |
| December 6. Sinterklaas is the basis for the North | | | | sleigh. |
| American figure of Santa Claus. | | | | Turkey |
| Santa, the red-suited man with a beard and a big | | | | In Turkey there is Noel Baba who is related with |
| belly, first appeared in a Coca-Cola advertisement in | | | | New Year's Eve instead of Christmas since Turks do |
| 1931. Before that, Santa was more like an elf. | | | | not celebrate Christmas. In today's predominantly |
| In 1885, Thomas Nast sketched two children looking | | | | Muslim Turkey, commercial interests have promoted |
| at a map of the world and tracing Santa's journey | | | | Noel Baba to encourage gift giving at New Year's. |
| from the North Pole to the United States. The | | | | Noel Baba is sometimes seen in shopping areas, on |
| following year, the American writer, George P. | | | | the streets, or in schools similar to Santa in Christian |
| Webster, took up this idea, explaining that Santa's | | | | countries. |
| toy factory and "his house, during the long summer | | | | Holland |
| months, was hidden in the ice and snow of the North | | | | A legend existed that St. Nicholas put the Devil in |
| Pole." | | | | chains and made him his slave and each St. Nicholas |
| Finland | | | | Day the Devil was working under orders from Saint |
| Finnish people believe that Father Christmas lives in | | | | Nicholas. The good Saint would direct "Black Peter" to |
| the north part of Finland called Korvatunturi, or | | | | drop gifts and candy down the chimneys into the |
| Lapland, north of the Arctic Circle. People from all | | | | children's shoes which were always there on St. |
| over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland. | | | | Nicholas Eve. Eventually, the practice was carried |
| England | | | | over to Christmas which was actually a few weeks |
| Father Christmas was originally part of an old English | | | | later. |
| midwinter festival, normally dressed in green, a sign | | | | Portugal |
| of the returning spring. He was known as 'Sir | | | | In Portugal, Pai Natal delivers presents and it is the |
| Christmas', 'Old Father Christmas' or Old Winter'. | | | | baby Jesus who helps Pai Natal with the presents. |
| In this earliest form, Father Christmas was not the | | | | Italy |
| bringer of gifts for small children, nor did he come | | | | La Befana (Old Witch) is flying on her broomstick to |
| down the chimney. He simply wandered around from | | | | give candies to kids in Italy. This is done on the night |
| home to home, knocking on doors and feasting with | | | | before Epiphany. |
| families before moving on to the next house. | | | | Austria |
| Children write letters to Father Christmas about the | | | | Heiliger Nikolaus give rewards to good children in |
| presents they want to receive. Instead of sending | | | | Austria on 6 December. While Christkindl brings gifts |
| the letter, the kids burn the the letters because they | | | | on 24 December. |
| believe that Father Christmas would be able to | | | | Belgium |
| determine their wishes through the smoke. | | | | In Belgium Pere Noel visits the children twice. First is |
| Germany | | | | every 4 December so he'll find out who have been |
| Martin Luther introduced das Christkindl (an angel-like | | | | good and bad among the children. Then good children |
| Christ Child) to bring Christmas gifts and reduce the | | | | would receive toys and candies while the bad ones |
| importance of Sankt Nikolaus (Protestants don't have | | | | will find twigs on their stockings on 6 December. |
| saints). Later this Christkindl figure would evolve into | | | | Hungary |
| der Weihnachtsmann in Protestant regions and would | | | | Tel-apo or Mikulas has similar practice as in Belgium, |
| eventually cross the Atlantic to mutate into the | | | | delivering gifts on 6 December. |
| English term "Kris Kringle." | | | | Brazil |
| Iceland | | | | Papai Noel, who usually wears a silk clothe, will bring |
| The Yule Lads, or Yulemen, (Icelandic: | | | | the gifts for Christmas. |
| jólasveinarnir or jólasveinar) are | | | | Sweden |
| figures from Icelandic folklore who in modern times | | | | A gnome called "Juletomten" brings gifts in a sleigh |
| have become the Icelandic version of Santa Claus. | | | | driven by goats. |
| Their number has varied throughout the ages, but | | | | Now that you have seen the differences in how |
| currently there are considered to be thirteen. | | | | people view Santa in different cultures, you can begin |
| Two examples of the 13 are: | | | | to work on how you will sell to these different |
| Gluggagægir, the Window-Peeper. He is a voyeur | | | | markets. |
| who looks through windows in search of things to | | | | |