Santa Claus
Rocking Around The Christmas… Goat
While a lot of you reading this will be expecting your shiny Christmas gift of some PS3 games or an Xbox 360 Kinect to be delivered by Santa Claus, if you’re elsewhere in the world things might be a little different. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the world’s more colourful alternatives to jolly old Saint Nicholas.
Befana
Also known as La Strega (The Witch), Befana is a kindly old woman who gives gifts to Italian children on Epiphany (January 5th). Families generally leave her a small glass of wine and some local delicacies, and in return she leaves candy in the socks of good children (the bad ones get coal). Befana is also known for sweeping the floor spick and span before she leaves. However, preferring not to be seen she will thump you with her broomstick if you do.
Ded Moroz
Usually translated Father Frost (although Grandpa Frost is more correct), Ded Moroz is the Slavic equivalent of Father Christmas. Initially he was a wicked sorcerer who froze people and stole children, ransoming them back to their parents in exchange for presents. However, eventually with time and Orthodox traditions Ded Moroz mellowed, becoming kind and a giver of gifts instead. Sometimes accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), he always carries a long magic staff with him.
Joulupukki
Joulupukki literally means Yule Goat. Joulupukki started off as an ugly evil spirit dressed in goat skins and horns (this later mimicked by people traditionally dressing in similar costumes to solicit leftover Christmas food). However, over time he somehow ended up much like the American Santa Claus, knocking on the front door during Christmas Eve celebrations to deliver presents and traditionally asking if there are any well behaved children present upon entry.
I don’t know about you, but idea of a goat delivering gifts (even if one of them was a Kinect) sounds quite scary if you ask me.
Santa Claus Singing Jingle Bells, His Favorite Christmas Song
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Wilton 2308-1132 Metal Cookie Cutter Set of 18 $10.49 This metal cookie cutter set includes: snowflake, holly leaf, gingerbread girl, star, sleigh, tree, stocking, snowman, reindeer, ornament, candy cane, Santa hat, angel, bell, gift, wreath, gingerbread boy, and mitten. Each is approximately 3″. 18 cutters total. … |
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Wilton Holiday Grippy Cookie Cutters, Set of 4 $4.49 This easy-grip stainless steel cutter set with extra-deep sides is perfect for cutting so many favorite foods into spectacular shapes. This Holiday set includes: green gingerbread boy, green tree, red star, and red stocking, each approximately 3-1/2″. The cushion grip gives you comfortable control even when cutting into thick desserts. … |
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Christmas Santa Claus Gifts Design 13 X 70 Table Runner $18.99 … |
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Barney: Waiting for Santa [VHS] $14.95 This movie includes Christmas sing alongs geared towards children ages 1-8…. |
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The Night They Saved Christmas [VHS] $9.98 … |
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The Rudolph, Frosty & Friends Sing Along $0.01 Sing along video featuring songs from the animated Christmas classics Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town… |
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Santa’s Little Fixers $1.99 … |
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Max’s Christmas/Ruby’s Snow Queen/Max’s Rocket Run $1.99 … |
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Elf (Infinifilm Edition) $1.95 Elf is genuinely good. Not just Saturday Night Live-movie good, when the movie has some funny bits but is basically an insult to humanity; Elf is a smartly written, skillfully directed, and deftly acted story of a human being adopted by Christmas elves who returns to the human world to find his father. And because the writing, directing, and acting are all genuinely good, Elf is also genuinely fun… |
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Deluxe Santa Hat Velveteen with White Faux Fur Trim Pkg/1 $2.59 Let the New Years Celebrations begin with New Years Party Supplies! Start your New Years Eve Celebration off with a bang! Santa Hat with Plush Trim Size: Standard. 17.5in x 11.25in. Inside Diameter: 22.5in Optional accessories: |