Here’s what Santa looks like across the world

Here’s what Santa looks like across the world
By laurencroft


Are you heading overseas for Christmas? We’ve got just the thing.

Because thanks to language learning app Babbel, you can check out what Santa looks like in other countries! From the bearded man we know to an Italian witch, check out santas from the other side of the world.

FRANCE

24mag-24ondessert-t_CA0-articleLarge

Père Noël (pairno-wel) – one of the more traditional names for Santa – delivers his presents on December 6th which is known as the Feast of the Kings. The French have a cake called the galette des Roisthatis divided so that each guest gets a slice, as well as leaving an extra piece for any unexpected guest.

GERMANY

Christmas background. Advent calendar and Santa's shoe with gifts on rustic wooden background

The Germans celebrate with der Weihnachtsmann (vai-nahckts-mahn), and use an advent calendar (invented by German Lutherans in the 19th century) to count down the days left before Christmas Day. Advent calendars have come a long way since then, with makeup, jewellery, beer and even cheese now popular versions to help count the days.

ITALY

Rome, Italy - December 21, 2013: Christmas in Piazza Navona, in Rome. Handicrafts figuring befana sold by the street vendor shops.

While Santa is normally depicted as a jolly, good natured, kind person in many countries, this is not so in Italy. Befana (bee-far-na) is a witch who leaves coal for the naughty children and lollies for the well behaved. Befana is known to fly down chimneys or enter by shimmying through keyholes. Personally, we wouldn’t want to see either!

SWEDEN

Beautiful snowy winter scenery of Christmas holiday fair at the Big Square (Stortorget) in the Old Town (Gamla Stan) in Stockholm, Sweden

Santa is called Jultomten (jool-tom-tun), normally shortened to Tomten in Sweden. Christmas is celebrated in the afternoon on Christmas Eve and this is when Tomten makes an appearance too. In Sweden, smorgasbords contain a wide-ranging spread of food and are eaten throughout the year. At Christmas, a typical smorgasbord contains the traditional ham alongside pork sausages, anchovy dip, herring salad and rye bread.

ICELAND

Skolavordustigur street in the center of Reykjavik at dusk in the winter, Iceland. In the background church of Hallgrimur

Icelanders go all out for Christmas with their festive celebrations lasting 26 days! Beginning on December 11th when Yule Ladsor jólasveinarnir (yola-sveen-ah-nish) arrive and continues through to January 6th. The Yule Lads are a group of 13 mischievous tricksters accompanied by the evil Christmas Cat.

GREECE

"Big christmas tree on Syntagma Square, in Athens, Greece. On the background is the Parliament Building."

In Greece, Santa is called Ágios Vasílis (ah-gee-os bah-see-lees), and is celebrated for the full 12 days of Christmas beginning on Christmas Day and ending on January 6th, which is known as the Feast of Epiphany. Ágios Vasílisdelivers small gifts to children on January 1st. In order to keep evil spirits away, Greeksensure fires are lit in their homes for the12 day period, stopping any unwanted spirits from entering through their chimneys.

Latest News

  • Tour Operators

New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program

APT has launched its Australia 2025 program, showcasing two brand-new cruising experiences and a $5m refurbishment to APT’s exclusive Mitchell Falls Wilderness Lodge. The highlight of 2025 is Seabourn Pursuit, a purpose-built ultra-luxury ship offering all-veranda suites, exceptional dining, and a dedicated Expedition Team for an unparalleled exploration along the Kimberley coast. Also debuting in […]

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]