Christmas gift-bringers across the globe

Well, tonight is the night. Tonight, you'll get to receive your Christmas presents! January, 5th is an important night for Spanish children (and adults), the night preceding the Epiphany, the night where the Three Wise Men will come to bring presents to everybody. You all know that in the UK or the US, the Three Wise Men won't bring any presents, but they do have an expression to refer to our beloved tradition : The Twelfth Night (that is, the Twelfth Night after Christmas). In this entry, I will analyze who the gift-bringers are across the world. Let's begin:

In Spain, on the night of January, 5th, the Three Wise Men will bring the Christmas presents. In Spanish we just call them "the three magical kings". They are Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, the Three Wise Men from Orient, who brought baby Jesus gold, incense and myrrh. In the Bible, they are also known as the Magi. Well, the idea is this: they travel from Orient on their camels bringing all the presents and they are accompanied by their royal pages. Before their arrival, important preparations need to be made : you have to leave a shoe of yours under the Christmas tree (or some other place of your choosing) and, if possible, leave them something to eat. We normally leave them milk and cookies, "turrón" (nougat) or other Christmas sweets, and also a glass of brandy. In addition, some people leave something for the camels as well, namely a bucket of water or some carrots for them to nibble on. They must be starving after such a tiring journey, don't you think ? If you've been good and kind, you'll get tons of presents. However, if you've been a naughty boy, beware because you may find a lump of coal. Prior to this gift-giving ritual, on the fifth of January, there are parades all over Spain, where the Three Wise Men and their pages will throw sweets and toys for children. These parades include fun, music, and lights and usually finish in the Main Square of the town, where they salute all the children and promise to bring them presents on the condition that they have behaved well. They usually give a final speech. Then, the mayor of the town will give them the town keys, a treasured object that will give them access to all the houses in town! There is one problem of our tradition. children don't have much free time to fully enjoy their presents, since they normally go back to school after this festivity. The Three Wise Men are not exclusive from Spain, of course. They visit countless countries including Argentina, Venezuela, Philippines, Panama, Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras and Andorra, among others. 

The Three Wise Men is not the only tradition we have. Importing festive traditions is Spain's national sport hehe, and that is why on Christmas Eve, most houses in Spain (if not all of them) receive presents from Santa Claus as well !

However, there is a special tradition in a Spanish region. In Basque Country, presents will be given out by the Olentzero, an overweight old man who brings presents on Christmas Eve (much like Santa Claus or Father Christmas). HIs origins are not very clear and there are countless versions on how the Olentzero came to be Basque Country's gift-bringer. Some people think he is a giant; some legends state that when leaving presents, he would cut the throat of widely-awake children. However, the etymology of his name is quite clear : "time of the good ones." The version that has best caught on is the one where the Olentzero is an abandoned child, who becomes a charcoal burner and uses his hands to carve presents for children. He died when he was saving some children and a fairy bestowed him the power of eternal life, which he used to bring children presents every year. In any case, the Olentzero is adored by the citizens of Basque Country. There are famous songs and chants invoking this lovely character and in some parts of the country, there are parades in his honour.

In Catalonia, there's a weird tradition. There's an object, called Tió de Nadal (Christmas Log). Apparently, you must cut down a log, cover it with a blanket, and feed it. On Christmas Day, children will have to hit it with a cane and sing so that the log "defecates" presents. 

In Italy, as in many other countries, Babbo Natale leaves presents. Who is this Babbo Natale? No other than Santa Claus. However, in Italy, there's yet another gift-bringer who is female and scary... Yap, that's right. She is called Befana and she is the witch in charge of leaving presents on the Twelfth Night, that is, on the night of January, 5th. Apparently, the Three Wise Men themselves bumped into Befana on their way to Bethlehem. Befana hosted them and cared for them, asking them what they were up to. The Three Wise Men answered that they were going to bring presents to a newly born child and they asked Befana if she wanted to join them. She declined because she was busy sweeping the floor and cleaning. When she realized the newly born child was the Messiah, she tried to go to Bethlehem herself but was unable to do so on her own. From that day she flies around Italy on her broomstick, leaving good children some presents. Naughty children will receive a lump of coal. You can leave her some bread soaked in milk or wine. 

In Russia, there is another version of Santa Claus, no other than Ded Moroz. This present-bringer delivers gifts on New Year's Eve accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka. He is also known as Father Frost. 






In Germany, Santa Claus can pay a visit to you, but there is another cute personage that can leave your presents on Christmas Eve: the Christkind. The Christkind (Christmas child) is very popular in Germany and other countries, such as Austria and Switzerland. This angel will deposit the presents only if not spotted by children. If children spot them, it'll disappear. A bell will ring to show children that their presents have been successfully delivered. It is believed that the Christkind is Baby Jesus himself delivering the Christmas gifts.





In Sweden, an elf-like figure, called Tomte, delivers the Christmas gifts. It is much like a gnome, wearing a cone-like hat and it is less than one metre tall. His job is to protect farmers and help them. On Christmas Eve he will hand presents door-to-door aided by the Yule Goat.




In Iceland, the task of delivering presents is divided into thirteen goblin-like figures, the Yule lads. One of this lads will visit children on the thirteen nights prior to Christmas and each night, a different lad will deliver a present next to a shoe placed near the window. Naughty children will receive rotten potatoes. 




 

As you know, Santa (Claus) is the plump old man who brings presents in the US, whereas Father Christmas does so in the UK. 


Other versions of Santa Claus :
- Father Christmas (the UK)
- Saint Nicholas (the Netherlands)
- Père Nöel (France)
- Babbo Natale (Italy)
- Aggios Vasilis (Greece)
- Viejito Pascuero (Chile)
- Julemanden (Denmark)
- Sinterklass (Indonesia)
- Baba Noel (Iraq)
- Siôn Corn (Wales)

Well, I hope you have learnt a lot about Christmasy figures and characters. Should you like to learn more about Christmas, do not hesitate to visit my previous entries : New Year resolutions; Christmas-touching videos; Boxing Day; Christmas vocabulary; Christmas videos; Practise your listening at Christmas; Christmas carols; Christmas in Spain, the UK and the US; Christmas short stories; Christmas origins; Christmas gift-bringers all across the world.

Christmas season is about to finish, so remember to be good and I hope you receive tons of presents.