Santa's Traditions Explored

Santa Around the World: Australia, Germany, China

Celebrated globally, Christmas brings diverse traditions and unique identities for Santa Claus in different parts of the world. In Australia, Santa is known as Father Christmas, while in Germany, he is referred to as Sankt Nikolaus. In China, he goes by Shèngdàn Lǎorén, translating to Old Christmas Man.

In Australia, Santa retains the familiar role of the gift-bearer, aligning with the traditional image of this revered figure. Meanwhile, in Germany, St. Nicholas takes on the appearance of a Catholic bishop, adorned in a long brocade coat and wielding a golden staff.

China, where Christmas is observed by a limited segment of the population, has its own unique twist. Here, Santa doesn’t have elves; instead, he has sisters residing in the country’s North Pole.

Beyond the diverse names for Santa, Christmas traditions themselves vary widely across the globe. Australians follow conventional practices, including decorated Christmas trees, stockings on bedposts, and festive fireplaces.

In Germany, however, an angel-like creature with blonde hair and wings takes center stage on Christmas Eve, delivering presents to families. Children place boots outside their homes on December 5 for St. Nikolaus Day, receiving sweets as a prelude to Christmas gifts.

The city of Yiwu in Zhejiang province, known as the Christmas capital of the world for manufacturing decorations, celebrates Christmas differently. The festival resembles Valentine’s Day, with people exchanging gifts with romantic partners. Despite this, malls across the country are adorned with Christmas trees and decorations.

Chinese celebrations include Silent Eve, also known as Peaceful Eve, where people eat apples on Christmas Eve, symbolizing hope and peace in the coming year. Santa is viewed as a non-religious figure, residing in a fairytale Arctic Village in China’s North Pole.

These unique traditions showcase the cultural diversity and distinct ways in which Christmas is embraced around the world.

_{Repurposed article originally published in HITC}