Names for the Gift-bringers

Throughout history there have been many names given for the being representing the spirit of giving. We commonly refer to many of them as Old World Santas. I have made a list of some of those names with a brief description to help identify them.

1.      Aschenklas is a secular replacement for St. Nicholas. Often appears somewhat frightening or stern.

2.      Baboushka (Russian female similar to the Italian La Befana)

3.      Belsnickle is a secular replacement for St. Nicholas. Often appears somewhat frightening or stern.

4.      Božiček (Christmas Man),

5.      Christkindl (The Christ child) is a female gift-bringer, she is an angelic figure dresses all in white.

6.      Dedek Mraz or Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost, Russian), is usually seen very ornately dressed in blue trimmed with white fur and carrying an ornate staff.

7.      Father Christmas, English

8.      Julnisse & Jultomten (Elves or gnomes)

9.      Knecht Ruprecht (Servant Rupert), 17^th century in 1668 as one of the dark helpers of Christkindl. Frightening looking dressed all in furs.

10. La Befana (female, the good Christmas witch, Italian), delivers gifts on the evening of January 5^th. She is seen riding through the air on a broomstick wearing a black shawl and carrying a hamper of gifts.  She is often seen covered in soot as she enters the houses through the chimney.

11.  Odin the wander

12.  Pelznickel (Nicholas in furs) is another dark helper of Christkindl, looks similar to Knecht Ruprecht.

13.  Père Noel, French, rides a donkey and uses a staff. Donkey is named Mistletoe.

14.  Ruklaas (Rough Nicholas) is a secular replacement for St. Nicholas. Often appears somewhat frightening.

15.  Santa Claus, American derived from the Dutch, Sinterklaas

16.  Sinterklaas, assisted by Zwarte Piet (Black Peter)

17.  St. Nicolaus (Mikulás), The original gift-bringer

18.  Weinachtsmann (Christmas Man) German

 This is by no means a complete list of the names just the most commonly known. I've also discovered one group of gift-bringers that only those of you who have been following this blog have been introduced to and that would be the Nossie.

Here are some photos of some of the gift-bringers as I envision them.

Ded Moroz with his granddaughter the Snow Maiden and Baboushka

Many a Santa is dressed in red and can be seen carrying trees.

Others may be seen delivering wreaths.

Some come carrying a bag of gifts for the good boys and girls

and then there is the Belsnickle with switches for the naughty children.

This Santa is a familiar figure in his red suit trimmed with white fur and his shinny black boots.

The Santa that most children hope for a visit from is the one with the bag full of toys.

Last but not least is one of the Nossie who delivers his gifts to the children of Not Quite Middle Earth.

I know that there's more to Christmas than gifts and decorations but since this blog is about Santa and the Mrs. I hope you'll understand.

I imagine that you are as busy as I am so I won't take up any more of your time. I just wanted to say

~Merry Christmas to all~

As always thanks for stopping by.