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Holiday Countdown

Day 4: Around the World

Author: Jamie Bradley is a UARK ’20 alumni who majored in History and is a Museum Advisory Council member.

Christmas or a holiday much like it can be found all over the world. In the United States, most children wait for a visit from Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus, and open gifts on December 25th.  In other countries, the one bringing gifts can be very similar but also unique to their culture. Here are four variations of holiday gift-bringers.

An older man with a white beard in a red suit lined with white fur. He has glasses and rosy cheeks.
A tiled mosaic with a bright gold background a man in dark robes lined in white at the center. He is holding a book and has a blue circle surrounding his head.

In Greece, children sing carols and write letters, but they write to Saint Basil (Agios Vasilis) instead. Saint Basil visits the children of Greece during the New Year from his home in Caesarea (modern-day Turkey) with a sack filled with toys.

In Italy, Babbo Natale (Father Christmas) visits children as well as La Befana. La Befana is an old woman, sometimes a good witch, who couldn’t find the baby Jesus to give him gifts. Instead of giving up, she chose to give gifts to every good child just in case.

A black and white stereograph image of a historic site with building ruins. At the bottom it says "The Forum of Pompeii and Vesuvious, Italy."

Related U of A Museum collection object: Stereograph image entitled “The Forum of Pompeii and Vesuvius, Italy.”

Yule Lads are who give children gifts in Iceland. There are 13 Yule Lads who are said to take turns over the 13 nights before Christmas to deliver presents. These gifts can be found in the children’s shoes, which they leave on their windowsills. For the naughty kids, instead of coal, they get potatoes.

A black and white stereograph of a man wearing a large hat looking at the landscape above the clouds. At the bottom, the image is titled "Two miles above the clouds - from summit of Fujiyama N.E. over Lake Yamanaka, 10 miles away, Japan."

Related U of A Museum collection object: Stereograph entitled “Two miles above the clouds – from summit of Fujiyama N.E. over Lake Yamanaka, 10 miles away, Japan.”

While not a national holiday in Japan, Christmas is still celebrated by some. Often those who celebrate make their own traditions which can vary. Some celebrate the Seven Lucky gods bring metaphorical gifts in the New year. While others say Hoteiosho, a Buddhist monk, brings toys to children. Hoteiosho is said to have eyes in the back of his head to keep watch over children.

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