GERMANY St. Nikolaus was quite fond of dressing in white. This comes from the late 1800's. He wore a white or red coat and fur-trimmed hat, while stroking his short-trimmed beard and holding a bag of surprises close to his side.



FRANCE Pere Noel means Father Christmas. This 1890 figure is traditionally clad in long flowing white or red fur robes, while carrying a small Christmas tree over his shoulder. Upon his back he carries a basket filled with toys for all the girls and boys.



ENGLAND The English Father Christmas came from Germany to the rest of Europe,but was more highly developed in England. The design of 1890 is a green or red floor-length hooded coat with light fur trim and carrying a drawstring bag across his back and a sleigh in his hand.

Another English Father Christmas is JOHN TENNIEL. He was the contemporary of Thomas Nast and was the predominant promotor of the Father Christmas of England in his illustrations from "Punch". The style of 1883 is carrying a basket on his arm and a sack in hand with food, candies and sweets.



POLAND The Children of POLAND receive their gifts from the stars and the giftgiver, who is a carry-over from the cross-culture relationships with Germany. Therefore the Polish giftgiver carries a bundle of switches called a RUTE with which he chastises bad little children. Tradition has it that he will carry off the exeedingly bad in a bag. Typically he brings with him oranges and other gifts that he leaves for the good little children.



RUSSIA The wonderful tales of St. Nicholas were brought to RUSSIA when Duke Vladimir married his Christian wife, Princess Anna, in 987. St. Nicholas then became the Patron Saint of Russia. Prior to 1917, the Russian people received gifts of food, such as bread and wine.



CZECHOSLOVAKIA The Eve of St.Nicholas begins on December 5th with the arrival of Svaty Mikulas together with an Angel and a Devil. The angel is dressed in white and carries a list of all good children,while the devil dressed in black, carries a whip to be used upon the naughty ones.

On the Eve of St. Nicholas the children hang up stockings in the hope to receive candies, gingerbread cookies, fruit, and presents, but if they have been naught that year, they can expect to receive switches, onions, potatoes or coal.

In many homes an empty cradle is placed near the tree on Christmas Eve. After the children are in bed, a doll is layed into the cradle and presents are arranged around the tree.

On Christmas morning the children are told the Angel came with Christkindl who brought their gifts. This is where we get the name Kris Kringle, another name for Santa Claus.



DENMARK The Julemand is the gift-giver of DENMARK who arrives in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. When Julemand comes he fills the childrens' clogs and sacks with special gifts from his pack. The familes are helped with Yuletide preparations and given extra gifts by the "Little People" known as Jule Nisse who live in the families' attics. The children are careful to put out a bowl of rice pudding for the Nisse in the hope of good luck for the coming year.



NORWAY The Nisse is a dwarf who, according to tradition, lives in the barn and protects the families animals; and at Christmas time he brings gifts to the children.

Nisse, however, is known to have a bit of an ornery streak and must be appeased by a large chunk of butter, the larger, the better. On Christmas Eve the children put out a bowl of porridge with the largest chunk of butter in it that is possible in hopes that the Nisse would be pleased and leave good gifts.



SWITZERLAND Samichlouse is one of SWITZERLAND's gift-givers. Most of the European countries have more than one gift-giver. This is in part because of their Protestant and Catholic backgrounds. Geographic isolations and cultural diversity also play a part. Nowhere is this more noticeable than in Switzerland with it's three major sections of French, German, and Italian influences. The Samichlouse from the canton of Berne carries a burlap sack with gifts of oranges, fruits and nuts.



NETHERLANDS When the Dutch colonized America, they brought with them the tradition of Sinter Klaas, which means St. Nicholas in Dutch. It was from this name that the name "Santa Claus" was derived. According to the Dutch tradition, Sinter Klaas arrives each year by sea and mounted a white horse.

He then proceeded to all the children's homes, with his helper "Black Peter", and delivered candies and toys. In preparation for the visit of Sinter Klaas, the Dutch children left clogs outside their houses, filled with hay. carrots, or sugar for the special white horse.



BELGIUM Traditionally the Belgian St. Nicholas is dressed in Bishop robes. As the legend goes, St. Nicholas would come and give toys to all good little girls and boys. But to those little children who had been bad, his helper "Black Peter" who was a Blackamoor dressed in medieval costume, would give coal and switches.



IRELAND The Emerald Isle, comes a cheerful gift-giver known as Father Christmas. This little fellow is more jolly and happy than some of the other European Santa figures. He was always smiles and had a twinkle in his eyes.

Carrying the important holiday decorations of ivy and holly, he carried a Candle placed in a hollowed out turnip. As was the custom a candle placed in a turnip was set in the window come evening to bid a welcome to travelers who might need a place to stay the night. Music is also a very imporant part of the Irish tradition.



SWEDEN The children eagerly await the arrival of the dwarf Jultomten, or Tomten as he is often called. Jultomten comes Christmas Eve riding on a goat and bringing toys to all the childen. The goat, named Julbock or julboker, is of pagan background, being modeled after the goat of Thor and is symbolic of Christianity's victory over paganism.



ROMANIA A Gypsy-looking Santa undoubtedly came from the St. Nicholaus tradition. He usually wears a full-length hooded brown robe and sandals upon his feet. Carrying a multi-colored patchwork bag, the Gypsy Santa reflects an era short on economy, but long on love.



SPAIN In Spain and spanish speaking countries the gift-giver is "El Nino Jesus", who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve. Then, according to tradition, the Three Kings bring gifts during the "Festival of Three Kings" on January 6th.