In America we know the jolly old elf who delivers gifts as Santa Claus. But is he the only gift bringer this time of season?
According to Russiapedia, once a year on New Year’s Eve, Ded Moroz, also called Father Frost, would come from the town of Veliky Ustyug on his sleigh led by three horses with his granddaughter, SnegurochkaIn. Moroz is at times kind and at times evil. He is kind towards the hard-working and the good-hearted but extremely enraged and violent with the mean and the lazy. For example, as shown in this folk tale: “A woman had two stepdaughters – one wicked, the other nice. One day, she threw the kind girl out into the cold. But soon, Ded Moroz, or Father Frost, appeared on his sleigh. He was so impressed with the girl’s kindness that he gave her diamonds. When the stepmother heard of this, she threw the other girl out, too. But Ded Moroz didn’t like her and quickly turned her into ice.”
Transparent Language informs of another gift giver in Japan. In Japan they are visited by Hoteiosho, a buddhist monk with a large belly and a cloth sack full of toys. What makes him different from many on this list is that he has eyes on the back of his head so he can always be watching kids.
According to The Guardian, in Germany they are given gifts by Santa, but they call him Der Weihnachtsmann. However, they are also visited by Krampus, a very different holiday figure. Krampus comes from the old German word “Krampen,” which means “claw.” Regional names for Krampus in various dialects include Kramperl, Miglo, Tuifl, or Tuifltratzen. Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon who carries a rusted chain he uses to beat kids and a large sack he sticks naughty kids into to carry back into the underworld with him. He comes on the eve of December 6th. This day is called Krampusnacht.
According to Amore Travel Guides, Italy has two gift givers. Babbo Natale is just like our Santa but much skinnier and eats fewer snacks at children's homes. He leaves gifts every year on Christmas Eve. The second gift giver to come through Italy is a friendly witch called La Befana, who, on the Eve of the Epiphany (12 days after Christmas), flies on her broom from chimney to chimney leaving sweets and treats for the good and coal for the bad.
Throughout Northern Europe there was an old tradition of a short man or woman called a Nisse or a Pixie. They were household spirits that would be responsible for the care and prosperity of a farm or family. They would do chores and anything to help, but they had major temper issues and easily turned on people. In the 1840s Nisse became the bearer of Christmas presents in Scandinavia and was then called "Julenisse." Nisse has been associated with Christmas ever since, according to the Scandinavian website Fjorn.
According to the Smithsonian, there are 13 trolls called the Yule Lads that live in Iceland. They are mischievous tricksters that originally came to take food, milk, and other necessities. Over the years they have evolved into beings that come 13 days in December to place goodies in good kids’ shoes and rotten potatoes in bad kids’ shoes. While the Yule Lads give just punishments, their wicked mother wanders the streets taking any child she finds, good or bad, and sticks them in her bag. When the night is over and they leave, the mother and the Yule Lads eat the children alive in a stew. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Yule Lads’ demonic pet cat would eat any child that wasn't wearing new clothes to bed.
All of these gift givers followed by their malice-filled monsters lead back to one man, Saint Nicholas, the inspiration for these gift givers. According to French Moments, Saint Nicholas was the saint of children, sailors, saints, and pawnbrokers, but he was most known for his giving gifts to poor children and at times performing miraculous healings. According to legends, Saint Nicholas would deliver gifts to good boys and girls through France and Germany. He was followed by his counterpart, Père Fouettard (the Bogeyman), who would wear all black and be covered in coal marks. He would beat, whip, and spank those who misbehaved while Saint Nicholas left treats and toys for good boys and girls.
I hope everyone has a great winter break and a happy holiday that is filled with gifts and joy from whichever gift giver visits you.