Santa Claus or something else in your country ?

[Retro Doomer]

Well the question is a bit late but still Interesting,we all know how popular Santa Claus became in current years thanks to American media,
but I wondered do you have anything that is native to your homeland something similar to Santa Claus that comes on Christmas eve.
As we know Santa Claus comes from America and I am sure most of us had some older traditions that may have been forgotten by newer Generations thanks to media.

for us Germans for example we had no Santa Claus we had the Christkind who brought us presents on Christmas but it largely has been forgotten sadly and many just say Weihnachtsmann nowadays which means Santa Claus in Germany,its a bit sad seeing traditions vanish like that and becoming all the same around the world killing off what makes our cultures all unique in my Opinion.

so anyhow I am curious about all our rich cultures and traditions so what came to your county during Christmas instead of Santa Claus or did Santa Claus just always came to your county ?

 

[petran79]

In Greece we had Saint Basil (Basil the Great of Caesaria) while Saint Nicolaus was his precursor. One reason we call Santa "Saint Basile". He was the first major philanthropist, celebrated at 1st of January.

Also till the early 19th century, instead of a pine or fir tree, Greeks used to adorn boats and children would sing Christmas songs holding miniature boats.

It was King Otto who introduced Christmas tree in 1833 and till 1950 it became the main Christmas attraction.

Though to celebrate Saint Nicolaus on 6th of December, boats are still adorned in some parts.

 

[Retro Doomer]

In Greece we had Saint Basil (Basil the Great of Caesaria) while Saint Nicolaus was his precursor. One reason we call Santa "Saint Basile". He was the first major philanthropist, celebrated at 1st of January.

Also till the early 19th century, instead of a pine or fir tree, Greeks used to adorn boats and children would sing Christmas songs holding miniature boats.

It was King Otto who introduced Christmas tree in 1833 and till 1950 it became the main Christmas attraction.

Though to celebrate Saint Nicolaus on 6th of December, boats are still adorned in some parts.

Well we in Germany also celebrate saint Nicolaus but not on christmas but on saint nicolaus day or Nikolaustag in German,we Palatines say Benzenickel though instead of Nikolaus.
Anyhow I find it very intersting how diverse Christmas is in terms of celebrations around the world.