Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Buon Natale! Christmas is a worldwide holiday, which has resulted in the creation of numerous Christmas-themed figures.
Santa Claus
Santa Claus, also referred to as St. Nicholas, is a popular figure with roots in western Christian culture. The story goes that on Christmas Eve, the rotund, white-bearded man in a red cloak is supposed to deliver gifts overnight. He rides a magical sleigh to homes with his nine reindeer pals, the most well known of them being Rudolph. He may be the first character that springs to your mind when you think about Christmas, but there are still many others.
Image credit: Erdal Erdal/Pexels
Krampus
If Santa Claus was the good cop, Krampus would be the bad cop. According to Central and Eastern Alpine folklore, Krampus, along with his counterpart St. Nicholas, visits children on Krampsnacht, or Krampus Night. While St. Nicholas rewards well behaved kids with his faithful gifts, Krampus does the opposite. Krampus is said to chastise misbehaving children with birch rods.
La Befana
According to Italian tradition, La Befana is an elderly woman who resembles a witch and is much like Santa Claus when it comes to bringing gifts. She is reported to fly through the air on her broom once a year, leaving the mountain caves where she resides. Like a cross between Santa and Krampus, she brings coal and sticks to Italy’s unruly kids and toys or candies to well-behaved children. She must have good manners, as she is known to sweep the floor before departing.
Ded Moroz
Like Santa Claus or Father Christmas, Ded Moroz is a figure whose customs are widespread throughout Eastern Europe and Russia. In the past, Ded Moroz was thought to be a poker-faced winter spirit in charge of the chilly weather. Over time, this portrayal evolved into a loving holiday figure. It is said that he and his granddaughter, Snegurochka, deliver gifts over the holidays.
The Yule Lads
Icelandic folklore describes these mountain-dwelling jokers, called the Yule Lads, as blatant troublemakers that visit the town around Christmas. These 13 practical jokers are accused of harassing and robbing the people of Iceland and leaving gifts for kids who have left shoes on their window sills at night. Their mother, Gryla, is an ogress with a peculiar appetite for disobedient kids. She gathers them and uses them as the primary ingredient in her stew.
The Yule Cat
Gryla must have a soft spot for animals despite her aggressive behavior toward kids. It is reported that her cat, also called the Yule Cat, peers through the windows of the homes he passes to see what gifts the kids have been given. The cat will discreetly move on if he sees new clothing items, such as socks. The cat will devour the child if the child has not gotten the aforementioned clothing items.
Image credit: Jonathan Hidalgo/Pexels
Los Reyes Magos
Despite not being celebrated in the month of December, Los Reyes Magos are still regarded as Christmas characters. They are said to offer presents to children in Spain, Latin America, and many other countries, frequently taking Santa Claus’ place as the primary gift-giver. Typically, this custom concludes with celebrations and delicious dishes like Rosca de Reyes, a unique crown-shaped bread that typically has a tiny plastic doll within that symbolizes baby Jesus.
With these various Christmas figures in mind, one can be hopeful that Santa Claus won’t be the only person delivering gifts this year.
