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
The American Santa Claus, as well as the British Father Christmas, derive from Saint Nicholas
Unlike Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas was a real person who lived around 300 A.D.
Christmas is celebrated a bit differently among Ukrainians! Instead of Santa Claus, kids expect Saint Nicholas 🎅🏻, or Sviatyi Mykolai as they call him in Ukraine.
Many churches around the world are named after Saint Nicholas.
It is believed that Saint Nicholas once secretly gave bags of gold to help a poor family, and this is why chocolate coins are a popular treat on his day.
Only the kind, nice children receive a treat 🎁 from Saint Nicholas. The naughty children who do not listen to their parents and teachers may end up only getting a twig or a piece of coal under their pillows.
In Ukraine, after Saint Nicholas Day, everyone starts getting ready for Christmas. People light up Christmas trees 🎄 in many cities, and it is a magical time.
There’s a belief that Saint Nicholas Day is the last day to pay back debts. If you do not pay back what you owe, it’s thought that your family might not have good luck in the next year.
In some parts of Ukraine, special cookies, 🍪 called Mykolaichiky, are made for children on Saint Nicholas Day. Yummy treats for a special occasion!
Saint Nicholas rested in the Lycian city of Myra (now the territory of Turkey), and 933 years ago, Italian sailors transported his body to the city of Bari in southern Italy.
More About Saint Nicholas
On the night of the 5th of December, it is said that Saint Nicholas will come with gifts 🎁 for kids, and they will find them on the morning of the 6th of December!
The tradition of giving gifts to children for the holiday has spread across Europe from medieval Germany. It was adopted by many countries, and by Ukraine, too.
Since ancient times, Ukrainians have considered Mykolai a patron of the common people. And he also takes care of those who travel and sailors.
Do you know the name of Saint Nicholas or the one who brings gifts to children in different countries?
Santa Claus 🎅 is called by different names around the world, reflecting the unique cultures and traditions of each country. These names often have roots in local folklore or historical figures like Saint Nicholas, with each country adding its festive touch to the legend of Santa Claus! Here are some examples:
- United Kingdom: Father Christmas
- France: Père Noël
- Germany: Weihnachtsmann (Christmas Man) or Sankt Nikolaus
- Netherlands: Sinterklaas
- Italy: Babbo Natale
- Spain: Papá Noel
- Sweden: Jultomte
- Finland: Joulupukki
- Japan: Santa-san
- China: Shengdan Laoren (Old Man of Christmas)
- Poland: Święty Mikołaj
- Greece: Agios Vasilis (Saint Basil)
- Norway: Julenissen
- Denmark: Julemanden
- Portugal: Pai Natal
- Hungary: Mikulás
- Iceland: Jólasveinar (Yule Lads, 13 figures who deliver gifts)
- Czech Republic: Ježíšek (Little Jesus, though Santa-like traditions exist)
- United States/Canada: Santa Claus
- India: Christmas Baba
- Brazil: Papai Noel
- Ethiopia: Ababa Gena
- Ukraine: Svyatyi Mykolai
- Australia: Father Christmas
Interesting Facts about Ukraine
In Ukraine, you can hear the sands⏳ “singing”! Yes, and I am not kidding! You can see the sands on one of the Dnipro river’s coasts.
