I was thinking about Santa Claus.....

I was thinking about Santa Claus and it made me wonder how they celebrate Christmas in different countries, so I did some research.

I learned that Santa Claus has different names in different countries:
Afghanistan -- Baba Chaghaloo
Armenia -- Gaghant Baba
Brazil -- Papai Noel
Czech Republic -- Jezisek
Denmark -- Julemanden
France and French Canada -- Le Pere Noel
Germany -- Weihnachtsmann
Iraq and South Africa -- Goosaleh
Ireland and Scottish Highlands -- Daidi na Nollag
Portugal -- Pai Natal
Romania -- Mos Craciun
Spain and Mexico -- Papa Noel
Netherlands and Belgium -- Sinterklaas
(www.worldofchristmas.net)

The character of Santa Claus is based on a real person. This person (according to history) was a bishop in Turkey. He gave presents to needy, poor and good kids to make them happy. So, many folktales were created about him. After a while he became Santa Claus as he is known today.

I also came across some nice stories of Santa Claus in different countries. For example, in France Pere Noel exchanges the hay and carrots the children put in their shoes for the reindeer with presents. (www.familycrafts.about.com/cs/santaprojects/l/blperenoel.htm)

In Russia Father Frost often travels in a traditional Russian sleigh ( troika) with his granddaughter, Snegurochka , the snow maiden. Now Christmas is celebrated on January 7 in Russia because after the October Revolution in 1917 they changed the dates so that Christmas came after (non-religious) New Year's to make New Year's more important. Because of that, in Russia, Father Frost is associated with New Year's rather than with Christmas. (www.familyofmann.tripod.com/rph016.htm)

I also found this one which I thought was funny. From www.infostarbase.com/tnr/xmas/santa.html: in Poland, "Swiety Mikolaj (Saint Nicholas) was a cardinal in the Catholic Church, he visits children on December 6th and he brings presents, mostly sweets, which he leaves in children clean (it is very important) shoes." The part I thought was funny was the part when they say "it is very important" that the shoes are clean. I wonder if he does not give presents if the shoes are not clean. They also forgot the "'s" on children's.