Santa Around the World: How Kids Everywhere Celebrate Holiday Magic

Marketing MCDC
4 days ago
3 min read

Every year, kids across the United States get excited for Santa Claus to load up his sleigh, feed his reindeer, and take off across the sky. But here’s something amazing: Santa doesn’t just visit one country, he visits all of them! And in different places, he sometimes uses different names, wears different clothes, or has helpers that fit that country’s traditions.

After all… Santa is magic. And when you’re magical, you can be many places, in many ways, all at once. Let’s take a trip around the globe to see how Santa appears to kids everywhere!

The Netherlands: Sinterklaas Arrives by Boat

In the Netherlands, Santa is known as Sinterklaas, and kids say he sails in from Spain every year. Children leave out their shoes, and Sinterklaas fills them with small treats. Dutch families who moved to America a long time ago helped inspire the Santa we know today, proof that he can adapt and appear in ways that fit wherever he goes.

United Kingdom: Father Christmas

In the UK, kids look forward to Father Christmas, a gentle, cheerful figure who looks a lot like the Santa we know in the United States. Instead of cookies, kids often leave mince pies for him. (Santa loves cookies, but he’s pretty flexible when it comes to snacks!)

France: Père Noël Fills Shoes With Treats

French children set out their shoes by the fireplace so Père Noël can fill them with goodies. Many families enjoy huge Christmas Eve dinners called Le Réveillon, and Santa always makes time to stop by.

Germany: Two Magical Visitors

In Germany, Santa sometimes arrives as Weihnachtsmann, and other times as the Christkind who is an angel-like figure who quietly brings gifts. Santa can appear in different ways to different people, but the kindness behind the tradition stays the same.

Italy: La Befana on Her Broomstick

In Italy, Santa shares the season with La Befana, a friendly witch who gives gifts on January 6. Kids leave out their shoes, and she fills them with treats. Santa doesn’t mind sharing the spotlight because spreading joy is a team effort!

Iceland: The 13 Yule Lads

Iceland is extra lucky: they get 13 Santa-like visitors! The Yule Lads come one by one in the days before Christmas. Each has a funny personality, like Spoon-Licker or Door-Slammer. Kids leave their shoes in the window, and the Lads drop in treats. Santa doesn’t need to stick to one style! He works with each country’s traditions.

Australia: Santa Loves the Beach Too!

Because Christmas happens in summer in Australia, Santa sometimes trades in his heavy coat for shorts, but don’t worry, his magic sleigh is still pulled by reindeer! Magic means he can handle both snowstorms and sunshine just fine.

What All These Santas Have in Common

No matter where you go in the world: