- There’s always someone to bring presents to nice children, but he might look a bit different.
We all know Santa, right? He’s a jolly, rotund old man with a great white beard who dresses in red and rides on a sleigh pulled by reindeer to bring gifts to the children.
Although this Santa is today ubiquitous in the U.S. and the Western world, he’s not the only version of Santa in the world. In fact, in many places — even in Europe — there is traditionally no Santa at all.
Here are six holiday season gift-givers from around the world who fulfill the role of Santa, even if they’re not necessarily direct equivalents.
1. Los Reyes Magos — The Three Wise Men of Spain
In Spain, the U.S.-inspired red-clad Santa who brings gifts on December 25 is becoming increasingly popular. But the Spanish also have their own, still-prevalent tradition of Los Reyes Magos — or the Three Wise Men.
It’s easy to see why the Spanish chose this trio to bring gifts to children. After all, in the Bible, they visited baby Jesus and brought with them gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Unlike Santa, the Three Wise Men don’t come around on Christmas Day, though. Instead, they show up on January 6, or Three Kings Day which is supposedly when the original trio brought their gifts to Jesus.
In recent years, some Spanish families have started celebrating with both the Three Wise Men and Santa. We’re sure the kids won’t complain since that’s twice the gifts!
2. Hoteiosho — The Japanese Buddhist Santa
Christmas isn’t a traditional Japanese holiday, so it’s taken a bit of an unusual character in the Land of the Rising Sun. For example, Christmas is generally seen as a holiday for lovers and many people celebrate it with a bucket of KFC, for some reason.
Although the modern Santa is known in Japan, the Japanese also have their own gift-bringing figure. He is Hoteiosho, a happy, fat Buddhist monk with an extra pair of eyes on the back of his head.
He comes around between December 24 and January 4 to bring presents to children. Thanks to his additional peepers, he’s all-seeing and knows precisely who’s been naughty or nice — not that the jolly monk really cares.
3. Joulupukki — Finland’s Christmas Goat
Today, the Finnish Santa largely resembles the more international figure, with a few key differences. Instead of a flying sleigh, he travels in the traditional Finnish pulkka sled and he lives on the Korvatunturi fell in Lapland.
Also, his name directly translates to the Christmas Goat.
Mr. Goat himself doesn’t look like a goat, but the name is a remnant of the figure he replaced. Before Santa became a thing, the Finns had a tradition of Nuuttipukki.
This terrifying goat-headed man came around on St. Knut’s day — and you were supposed to give him gifts and alcohol. If a household had nothing to give, the Nuuttipukki would wreak an appropriate amount of mischief before heading to the next house.
4. Tomte/Nisse — Scandinavian Christmas Spirit
In Scandinavia, the Tomte (in Sweden) or Nisse (in Norway and Denmark) start popping up all over the place. These creatures were originally household guardian spirits, but they’ve since become associated with Christmas in particular.
And it’s easy to see why. The Tomte, Nisse, or Tomtenisse often appears as a white-bearded old man with a conical red cap — like Santa.
The role of the Tomte varies from place to place and according to the degree they’ve been influenced by Santa traditions. Sometimes it’s the Tomte who brings gifts on Christmas, but other times they act as Santa’s helpers, like Christmas elves.
5. Ded Moroz & Snegurochka — Russia’s Santa and His Granddaughter
Santa doesn’t go to Russia. That’s because Santa’s job is done by Ded Moroz, or Grandfather Frost.
Ded Moroz looks much like Santa but traditionally dresses in blue instead of red — although he’s not averse to red garb either. He also brings presents on New Year’s Day instead of Christmas.
But it’s a tough job for one old man to bring gifts to so many children. He manages it just fine, though, since Ded Moroz is nearly always accompanied by Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), his granddaughter and assistant.
6. Kanakaloka — Hawaii’s Beach Bum Santa
Although there’s traditionally no Christmas in Hawaiian culture, the festival of Makahiki — a months-long period of peace — takes place around the same time. In this vein, Christmas in Hawaii is largely about celebrating Hawaiian culture and traditions.
Going with the same idea, even Santa has decided to go Hawaiian. Known as Kanakaloka, he’s ditched his red coat and instead dresses in flower-decorated Hawaiian clothes.
Also called Shaka Santa, he wears flipflops, shorts, and an open Hawaiian shirt. Even Mrs. Claus — called Tutu Mele — sports a muumuu and hibiscus flowers in her hair.
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