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SANTA CLAUS 1 ------------------------------------(Go To Page: 1)
Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a fictional figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts to the homes of well-behaved children on the night of Christmas Eve (24 December) or during the early morning hours of Christmas Day (25 December). The modern Santa Claus grew out of traditions surrounding the historical Saint Nicholas (a fourth-century Greek bishop and gift-giver of Myra), the British figure of Father Christmas, and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas (himself also based on Saint Nicholas). Some maintain Santa Claus also absorbed elements of the Germanic god Wodan, who was associated with the pagan midwinter event of Yule and led the Wild Hunt, a ghostly procession through the sky.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus

MRS. CLAUS 2 ------------------------------------(Go To Page: 2)
Mrs. Claus (also known as Mrs. Santa Claus) is the fictional wife of Santa Claus, the Christmas gift-bringer in Western Christmas tradition. She is known for making cookies with the elves, caring for the reindeer, and preparing toys with her husband.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrs._Claus

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER 3 ------------------------------------(Go To Page: 2)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is a fictional reindeer created by Robert Lewis May. Rudolph is usually depicted as the ninth and youngest of Santa Claus's reindeer, using his luminous red nose to lead the reindeer team and guide Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve for only one year. Though he initially receives ridicule for his nose as a fawn, the brightness of his nose is so powerful that it illuminates the team's path through harsh winter weather.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_...

SANTA CLAUS'S REINDEER 4 ------------------------------------(Go To Page: 2)
In traditional festive legend, Santa Claus's reindeer pull a sleigh through the night sky to help Santa Claus deliver gifts to children on Christmas Eve. The commonly cited names of the eight fictional reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder and Blitzen; although Donder is often called Donner. They are based on those used in the 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (commonly called "The Night Before Christmas") by Clement Clarke Moore, arguably the basis of the reindeers' popularity.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Cl...

CHRISTMAS ELF 5 ------------------------------------(Go To Page: 3)
The Christmas Elves. In the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland the modern children's folklore of Santa Claus typically includes green-clad elves with pointy ears, long noses, and pointy hats as Santa's helpers or hired workers. They make the toys in a workshop located in the North Pole. In this portrayal, elves slightly resemble nimble and delicate versions of the elves in English folk takes in the Victorian period from which they derived. The role of elves as Santa's helpers has continued to be popular, as evidenced by the success of the popular Christmas movie Elf.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christma...

SANTA'S WORKSHOP 6 ------------------------------------(Go To Page: 3)
Santa's workshop is the fictional workshop where Santa Claus is said to make the toys and presents given out at Christmas. In Santa Claus mythology, the "workshop" is a sprawling commune located at the North Pole or in Lapland. In addition to housing the factory where toys are either manufactured or distributed by the elves, the complex also houses the residence of Santa Claus, his wife, companions and all of the reindeer.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa%27...

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FATHER CHRISTMAS 7 ------------------------------------(Go To Page: 3)
Father Christmas is the traditional English name for the personification of Christmas. Although now known as a Christmas gift-bringer, and normally considered to be synonymous with American culture's Santa Claus which is now known worldwide, he was originally part of an unrelated and much older English folkloric tradition. The recognisably modern figure of the English Father Christmas developed in the late Victorian period, but Christmas had been personified for centuries before then.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_C...

JACK FROST 8
Jack Frost is a personification of frost, ice, snow, sleet, winter, and freezing cold. He is a variant of Old Man Winter who is held responsible for frosty weather, nipping the fingers and toes in such weather, coloring the foliage in autumn, and leaving fern-like patterns on cold windows in winter.
Starting in late 19th century literature, more developed characterizations of Jack Frost depict him as a sprite-like character, sometimes appearing as a sinister mischief-maker or as a hero.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Frost

OLD MAN WINTER 9 ------------------------------------(Go To Page: 4)
Old Man Winter is a personification of winter. The name is a colloquialism for the winter season derived from ancient Greek mythology and Old World pagan beliefs evolving into modern characters in both literature and popular culture.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Man_...

CHRISTKIND 10
The Christkind ( German for "Christ-child"), sometimes also called Christkindl, is the traditional Christmas gift-bringer in Austria, Switzerland, southern and western Germany, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Belgium, Portugal, Slovakia, Hungary, Transylvania, parts of northeastern France, Upper Silesia in Poland, parts of Hispanic America, in certain areas of southern Brazil, and in the Acadiana region of Louisiana. In some parts of Italy, the analogous figure of the Christkind is known as Gesù Bambino, however Santa Claus is the traditional bearer of Christmas gifts. Christkind is called in Portuguese Menino Jesus ("Jesus Boy"), in Hungarian Jézuska ("Little Jesus"), in Slovak Ježiško ("Little Jesus"), in Czech Ježíšek ("Little Jesus"), in Latin America Niño Dios ("God Child") or Niño Jesús ("Jesus Child") and in Croatian Isusić or Isusek ("Little Jesus").
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christkind

--------SLAVIC MYTHOLOGY and FOLKLORE--------

DED MOROZ 11 ------------------------------------(Go To Page: 4)
Ded Moroz (Russian: Дед Мороз, Ded Moroz [dʲɛt mɐˈros]; Belarusian: Дзед Мароз, Dzyed Maróz; Ukrainian: Дід Мороз, Did Moróz; Russian diminutive Russian: Дедушка Мороз, Dédushka Moróz; Serbian: Деда мраз / Deda Mraz; Bulgarian: Дядо мраз / Dyado Mraz; Slovenian: Dedek Mraz; Macedonian: Дедо мраз / Dedo mraz; Morozko (Russian: Морозко)) is a legendary figure similar to Father Christmas and Santa Claus who has his roots in Slavic paganism mythology. The tradition of Ded Moroz is mostly spread in East Slavic countries and is an important part of Russian culture. Although at the beginning of the Soviet era communists banned Ded Moroz he soon became an important part of the Soviet culture. The literal translation is "Grandfather Frost".
Ded Moroz is depicted as bringing presents to well-mannered children, often delivering them in person on New Year's Eve.
In East Slavic cultures, Ded Moroz is accompanied by Snegurochka (Russian: Снегурочка, Snegurochka; Ukrainian: Снігуронька, Snihurónka; "Snow Maiden"), his granddaughter and helper, who wears long silver-blue robes and a furry cap or a snowflake-like crown. She is a unique attribute of Ded Moroz, since similar characters in other cultures do not have a female companion.
Ded Moroz wears a heel-length fur coat, a semi-round fur hat, and valenki on his feet. He has a long white beard. He walks with a long magic staff and often rides a troika.
The residence of Ded Moroz in Russia is considered to be the town of Veliky Ustyug, Vologda Oblast. The residence of the Belarusian Dzyed Maroz is said to be in Belavezhskaya Pushcha.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ded_Moroz

SNEGUROCHKA 12 ------------------------------------(Go To Page: 5)
Snegurochka (diminutive) or Snegurka (Russian: Снегу́рочка, Снегу́рка, IPA: [sʲnʲɪˈgurətɕkə, snʲɪˈgurkə]), or The Snow Maiden, is a character in Russian fairy tales.
This character has no apparent roots in traditional Slavic mythology and customs and its first appearance in Russian folklore occurred in the 19th century.
Since Soviet times, Snegurochka is also depicted as the granddaughter and helper of Ded Moroz during the New Year parties for children.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snegurochka

--------GERMAN MYTHOLOGY and FOLKLORE--------

SAINT NICHOLAS 13 ------------------------------------(Go To Page: 5)
Saint Nicholas of Myra (traditionally 15 March 270 – 6 December 343), also known as Nicholas of Bari, was an early Christian bishop of the ancient Greek maritime city of Myra in Asia Minor (Ancient Greek: Μύρα, modern-day Demre, Turkey) during the time of the Roman Empire. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves, prostitutes, children, brewers, pawnbrokers, and students in various cities and countries around Europe. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as was common for early Christian saints, and his legendary habit of secret gift-giving gave rise to the traditional model of Santa Claus ("Saint Nick") through Sinterklaas.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Ni...

KRAMPUS 14
In contrast to Saint Nicholas who rewards well-behaved kids with gifts, The Krampus is a demonic figure that deals with those who aren't so nice. Krampus are described as having dark hairy bodies, goat legs, hooves and pointed horns and oddly, a human foot on one leg. In many variations, their sharp pointed tongue may be sticking out, but not in all cases. They carry chains, thought to symbolize the binding of the Devil, and wield a bundle of birch branches to swat children with. They are also often seen with some sort of basket or tub on their back to carry off naughty children who'd promptly be eaten or punished in some way.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus

KNECHT RUPRECHT 15
Knecht Ruprecht (English: Farmhand Rupert, Servant Rupert or Farmhand Robert, Servant Robert) is a companion of Saint Nicholas as described in the folklore of Germany. He first appears in written sources in the 17th century, as a figure in a Nuremberg Christmas procession.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knecht_R...

BELSNICKEL 16
Belsnickel (also Belschnickel, Belznickle, Belznickel, Pelznikel, Pelznickel, from pelzen (or belzen, German for to wallop or to drub) and Nickel being a hypocorism of the given name Nikolaus) is a crotchety, fur-clad Christmas gift-bringer figure in the folklore of the Palatinate region of southwestern Germany along the Rhine, the Saarland, and the Odenwald area of Baden-Württemberg. The figure is also preserved in Pennsylvania Dutch communities and Brazilian-German communities.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belsnickel

PERCHTA 17
Perchta or Berchta (English: Bertha), also commonly known as Percht and other variations, was once known as a goddess in Alpine paganism in the Upper German and Austrian regions of the Alps. Her name may mean "the bright one" (Old High German beraht, bereht, from Proto-Germanic *brehtaz) and is probably related to the name Berchtentag, meaning the feast of the Epiphany. Eugen Mogk provides an alternative etymology, attributing the origin of the name Perchta to the Old High German verb pergan, meaning "hidden" or "covered".
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perchta

--------BELGIAN MYTHOLOGY and FOLKLORE--------

SINTERKLAAS 18
Sinterklaas is a legendary figure based on Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children. Other names for the figure include De Sint ("The Saint"), De Goede Sint ("The Good Saint"), and De Goedheiligman ("The Good Holy Man") in Dutch; Saint Nicolas in French; Sinteklaas in West Frisian; Sinterklaos in Limburgs; Saint-Nikloi in West Flemish; Kleeschen and Zinniklos in Luxembourgish; and Sankt Nikolaus or Nikolaus in German.
The feast of Sinterklaas celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas on 6 December. The feast is celebrated annually with the giving of gifts on St. Nicholas' Eve (5 December) in the Netherlands and on the morning of 6 December, Saint Nicholas Day, in Belgium, Luxembourg and northern France (French Flanders, Lorraine and Artois). The tradition is also celebrated in territories of the former Dutch Empire, including Aruba and Curaçao.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas

ZWARTE PIET 19
Zwarte Piet (English: Black Pete or Black Peter, Luxembourgish: Schwaarze Péiter, Indonesian: Pit Hitam, West Frisian: Swarte Pyt) is the companion of Saint Nicholas (Dutch: Sinterklaas, Luxembourgish: Kleeschen, Indonesian: Sinterklas) in the folklore of the Low Countries. The character first appeared in an 1850 book by Amsterdam schoolteacher Jan Schenkman. Traditionally, Zwarte Piet is black because he is a Moor from Spain. Those portraying Zwarte Piet usually put on blackface and colourful Renaissance attire in addition to curly wigs and bright red lipstick. In recent years, the character has become the subject of controversy.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zwarte_Piet

PERE FOUETTARD 20
Père Fouettard (French for "Father Whipper" or "Old Man Whipper") is a character who accompanies Saint Nicholas on his rounds during Saint Nicholas Day (6 December) dispensing lumps of coal and/or beatings to naughty children while St. Nicholas gives gifts to the well behaved.[1] He is known mainly in the far north and eastern regions of France, in the south of Belgium, and in French-speaking Switzerland, although similar characters exist all over Europe (see Companions of Saint Nicholas). This "Whipping Father" was said to bring a whip with him to spank all of the naughty children who misbehaved.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A8r...

--------ITALIAN MYTHOLOGY and FOLKLORE--------

BEFANA 21
In Italian folklore, Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to St Nicholas or Santa Claus.
A popular belief is that her name derives from the Feast of Epiphany (Italian: Festa dell'Epifania. Epifania is a Latin word with Greek origins meaning "manifestation (of the divinity)." Some suggest that Befana is descended from the Sabine/Roman goddess named Strenia.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Befana

SAINT LUCY 22
Lucia of Syracuse (283–304), also called Saint Lucia (Latin: Sancta Lucia) or Saint Lucy, was a Christian martyr who died during the Diocletianic Persecution. She is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox churches. She is one of eight women (including Saint Mary) explicitly commemorated by Roman Catholics in the Canon of the Mass. Her traditional feast day, known in Europe as Saint Lucia's Day, is observed by Western Christians on 13 December. Lucia of Syracuse was honored in the Middle Ages and remained a well-known saint in early modern England.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy

BADALISC 23
The Badalisc (also Badalisk) is a mythical creature of the Val Camonica, Italy, in the southern central Alps. The Badalisc is represented today as a creature with a big head covered with a goat skin, two small horns, a huge mouth and glowing eyes.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badalisc

--------SCANDINAVIAN MYTHOLOGY and FOLKLORE--------

GRYLA and LEPPALUDI 24
Grýla, in Icelandic mythology, is a horrifying monster and a giantessliving in the mountains of Iceland. Most of the stories told about Gryla were to frighten children.The Grýla legend has been frightening to the people of Iceland for centuries - her name is even mentioned in SnorriSturlusonthirteenth century Edda. People of Iceland successfully used her story to scare children to sleep. It was put into halt when a public degree was passed in 1746 prohibiting this practice to avoid traumatizing kids further.Grýla was not directly linked to Christmas until in the 17th century.By that time she had become the mother of the Yule lads.Gryla is said to have a sharp sense of hearing. She has the ability to detect children who are misbehaving year-round. During Christmas time, she comes from the mountains to search nearby towns for her meal.She leaves her cave and hunts for the kids. She devours kids as her favorite snack. Her favorite dish is a stew of naughty kids and she had an insatiable appetite. According to legends, there was never a shortage of food for Gryla.
According to folklore Grýla has been married three times. Her third husband Leppalúðiis said to be living with her in their cave in the dimmuborgurlava fields, with the big black Yule catand their sons. As Christmas approaches, Grýla sets off looking for naughty boys and girls. The Grýla legend has appeared in many stories, poems, songs and plays in Iceland and sometimes Grýla dies at the end of the story.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandi...

YULE CAT 25
The Yule Cat (Icelandic: Jólakötturinn or Jólaköttur) is a monster from Icelandic folklore, a huge and vicious cat said to lurk about the snowy countryside during Christmas time and eat people who have not received any new clothes to wear before Christmas Eve. The Yule Cat has become associated with other figures from Icelandic folklore as the house pet of the giantess Grýla and her sons, the Yule Lads.
The threat of being eaten by the Yule Cat was used by farmers as an incentive for their workers to finish processing the autumn wool before Christmas. The ones who took part in the work would be rewarded with new clothes, but those who did not would get nothing and thus would be preyed upon by the monstrous cat.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandi...

YULE LADS 26
The Yule Lads originated from Icelandic folklore and were portrayed as mischievous trolls that would steal food and livestock and harass and scare the children. They are the 13 sons of a terrifying ogress named Grýla and Leppalúði, is their father. They all are said to live in the Icelandic mountains and the 13 yule lads comes down at Christmas time to capture naughty children, her favorite snack.
The early stories of the Yule Lads, Grýla and Leppalúði used to scare children into behaving but today they enjoy bringing joy to the children instead of scaring them.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icelandi...

YULE GOAT 27
The Yule goat is a Scandinavian and Northern European Yule and Jul symbol and tradition. Its origin may be Germanic pagan and has existed in many variants during Scandinavian history. Modern representations of the Yule goat are typically made of straw.
The Yule goat's origins go back to ancient Pagan festivals. While a popular theory is that the celebration of the goat is connected to worship of the Norse god Thor, who rode the sky in a chariot drawn by two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, it goes back to common Indo-European beliefs. The last sheaf of grain bundled in the harvest was credited with magical properties as the spirit of the harvest and saved for the Yule celebrations, called among other things Yule goat (Julbocken).
The Yule goat is a Scandinavian and Northern European Yule and Christmas symbol and tradition. Its origin may be Germanic pagan and has existed in many variants during Scandinavian history. Modern representations of the Yule goat are typically made of straw.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule_goat

JOULUPUKKI 28
Joulupukki is a Finnish Christmas figure. The name "Joulupukki" literally means "Christmas goat" or "Yule Goat" in Finnish; the word pukki comes from the Teutonic root bock, which is a cognate of the English "buck", and means "billy-goat". An old Scandinavian custom, the figure is now being eventually conflated with Santa Claus.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joulupukki

--------SPANISH MYTHOLOGY and FOLKLORE--------

OLENTZERO and MARI DOMINGI 29
Olentzero (Basque pronunciation: sometimes Olentzaro or Olantzaro) is a character in Basque Christmas tradition. According to Basque traditions Olentzero comes to town late at night on the 24th of December to drop off presents for children. In some places he arrives later, for example in Ochagavía – Otsagabia on the 27th and in Ermua on the 31st.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olentzero

TIO DE NADAL 30
The Tió de Nadal (Catalan pronunciation: meaning in English "Christmas Log"), also known simply as Tió ("Trunk" or "Log", a big piece of cut wood) or Tronca ("Log"), is a character in Catalan mythology relating to a Christmas tradition widespread in Catalonia and some regions of Aragon. A similar tradition exists in other places, such as the Cachafuòc or Soc de Nadal in Occitania. In Aragon it is also called Tizón de Nadal or Toza.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ti%C3%B3...

SACK MAN 31
The Sack Man (also called the Bag Man or Man with the Bag/Sack) is a figure similar to the bogeyman, portrayed as a man with a sack on his back who carries naughty children away. Variants of this figure appear all over the world, particularly in Latin countries, such as Spain, Portugal, Brazil and the countries of Spanish America, where it referred to as el "Hombre del costal", el hombre del saco, or in Portuguese, o homem do saco (all of which mean "the sack/bag man"), and Eastern Europe. Similar legends are found in Haiti and some countries in Asia.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sack_Man

CAPANER 32
A Caganer is a figurine depicted in the act of defecation appearing in nativity scenes in Catalonia and neighbouring areas with Catalan culture such as Andorra, Valencia, and Northern Catalonia (in southern France). It is most popular and widespread in these areas, but can also be found in other areas of Spain (Murcia), Portugal, and southern Italy (Naples).
The name "El Caganer" literally means "the pooper". Traditionally, the figurine is depicted as a peasant, wearing the traditional Catalan red cap (the barretina) and with his trousers down, showing a bare backside, and defecating.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caganer

--------HUNGARIAN MYTHOLOGY and FOLKLORE--------

MIKUTAS 33
Mikulás (or Szent Miklós) is the Hungarian version of Saint Nicholas, and a similar figure to Santa Claus. In many cities, Mikulás is getting more conflated with Santa Claus. Still, it is believed that Mikulás arrives to celebrate his day, December 6 (while some countries celebrate it December 5), and leaves before Christmas. This tradition is also well known in Romania (Moș Nicolae), Slovenia (Miklavž), the Czech Republic, Slovakia (both Mikuláš), Croatia (Sv. Nikola) and Poland (Mikołaj).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikul%C3...

--------FRANCE MYTHOLOGY and FOLKLORE--------

PERE NOEL 34
Père Noël, "Father Christmas", sometimes called 'Papa Noël' ("Daddy Christmas"), is a legendary gift-bringer at Christmas in France and other French-speaking areas, identified with the Father Christmas and/or Santa Claus of English-speaking territories. Though they were traditionally different, all of them are now the same character, with different names, and the shared characteristics of a red outfit, workshop at the North Pole, and team of reindeer.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A8r...