Santa Claus in different cultures

To understand the differences between cultures, have a look at the different Santa Claus that exist in the world. Santa Claus is one of the major symbols in the United States and designated for Christmas, but not all countries have the same Santa Claus. Since Christianity in ancient times was trying to bring more people in the faith, the church and the newly converted people adapted local customs to make the birth of Christ easier for people to understand.

Santa may seem a small way to measure culture, but once you understand that something as simple as Santa Claus in different markets, you can begin to understand how you must change your selling style to meet your different markets.

A Brief History of Santa Claus

St. Nicholas is the common name for Nicholas of Myra, Lycian saint and Bishop of Myra in Lycia of Anatolia. Because of the miracles attributed to him, is also known as Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gifts, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them for him, and is now commonly identified with Santa Claus.

Sinterklaas is a traditional holiday figure in the Netherlands and Belgium, celebrated every year on December 5th, the eve of St. Nicholas', or the morning of December 6. Sinterklaas is the basis for the North American figure of Santa Claus.

Santa Claus, the red suited man with a beard and a big belly, first appeared in an advertisement for Coca-Cola in 1931. Before that time, Santa was more like an elf.

In 1885, Thomas Nast sketched two children looking at a world map and trace the journey of Santa Claus from North Pole to the United States. The following year, the American writer, George P. Webster, took up this idea, explaining that Santa's toy factory and "his house during the long summer months, was hidden in the ice and snow of the North Pole."

Finland

Finnish people believe that Father Christmas lives in the northern part of Finland called Korvatunturi, or Lapland, north of the Arctic Circle. People from all over the world send letters to Santa Claus in Finland.

England

Father Christmas was originally part of an old English midwinter festival, normally dressed in green, a sign of spring. He was known as' Sir Christmas', 'Old Father Christmas' or Old Winter'.

In this first embodiment, Santa Claus was not the bearer of gifts for young children, or came down the chimney. He simply ran from house to house, knocking on doors and feast with their families before moving to the next house.

Children write letters to Santa Claus on the gifts they want to receive. Instead of sending the letter, the boys burn the letters because they believe that Santa Claus would be able to determine their wishes through the smoke.

Germany

Martin Luther introduced das Christkindl (an angel like baby Jesus) to bring Christmas gifts and to reduce the importance of Sankt Nikolaus (Protestants have no saints). Following this figure Christkindl would evolve into der Weihnachtsmann in Protestant regions and would then cross the Atlantic to mutate into the English word "Kris Kringle."

Iceland

The Yule Lads, or Yulemen, (Icelandic: jólasveinarnir or jólasveinar) are figures of Icelandic folklore who in modern times have become the Icelandic version of Santa Claus. Their number has varied over the centuries, but currently there are considered to thirteen.

Two examples of 13 are:

Gluggagægir, the window-Peeper. He is a voyeur looking through the windows in search of things to steal. Start your visit on December 21 and January 3 leaves.

Stúfur, Stubby. He is abnormally short and steal pots to eat the rind left on them. Start your visit on December 14 and leave on December 27.

Scandinavia

In most countries the Scandinavian Christmas Eve is the donor's gift of Christmas Jultomten or Gnome. Originally a goblin who brought good luck or bad luck for farmers, became popular as the giver of the gift in the 19 st century.

Russia

Babushka is a traditional Russian Christmas figure who gives gifts to children. Her name means grandmother and the legend is told that he decided not to go with the wise men to see Jesus because of the cold. He later regretted not going and set off to try to recover, fill the basket with presents. She never found Jesus, and that's why he goes every house, leaving toys for good children.

In a recent article in Russia, on Santa, it was declared an 'illegal immigrant', according to a senior Kremlin official in 'Cold War' Christmas.

On January 1, D'Yed Moroz bring gifts and arrive at the celebration of the Kremlin on board a sleigh pulled by Sputnik.

Turkey

In Turkey there is Noel Baba, which is related to the New Year instead of Christmas, as the Turks do not celebrate Christmas. In Turkey, a majority of Muslims today, commercial interests have promoted Noel Baba to encourage gifts at New Year. Noel Baba is sometimes seen in commercial areas, streets, or in schools similar to Santa in Christian countries.

Holland

A legend existed that St. Nicholas put the devil in chains and made him his slave and every day of St. Nicholas the devil was working under the orders of St. Nicholas. The good Saint would direct "Black Peter" dropping gifts down the chimneys and candy in the shoes of children who were always there on St. Nicholas Eve. Eventually, the practice has been reported to Christmas, which was actually a few weeks later.

Portugal

In Portugal, Pai Natal offers gifts and the baby Jesus who helps Pai Natal with gifts.

Italy

La Befana (Old Witch) is flying on her broom to give candy to children in Italy. This is done the night before Epiphany.

Austria

Heiliger Nikolaus give rewards to good children in Austria December 6. While Christkindl brings gifts on December 24.

Belgium

In Belgium Pere Noel visits the children twice. The first is on December 4 in every way he'll discover that they were good and bad among children. Then the good children will receive toys and candies, while the bad ones are branches on their stockings on December 6.

Hungary

Tel-apo or Mikulas has similar practice as in Belgium, delivering gifts on December 6.

Brazil

Papai Noel, who usually wears a silk dress, bring gifts for Christmas.

Sweden

A gnome named "Juletomten" brings gifts in a sleigh driven by goats.

Now that you have seen the differences in how people in different cultures for Santa Claus, you can start working on how it intends to sell to these different markets....