The best stories about people delivering gifts on Christmas Eve

In addition to Santa Claus, many places around the world also have other mythological characters who also give gifts to children on this important holiday.

Yule Cat, Iceland

The Yule Cat (Christmas cat) is a famous mythological character in Icelandic fairy tales, has a large and evil shape, and often lurks in the snowy countryside during Christmas and eats food.

Children who are obedient will have the Yule cat put small gifts in their shoes, and those who are naughty will receive potatoes.

According to Icelandic custom, those who complete their work on time will be paid to buy new clothes for Christmas, but those who are lazy will not.

Fairy Tomte, Scandinavia

The legend of Tomte appears in Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Finland and Sweden.

The fairy Tomte is also a character who specializes in delivering gifts to children.

Santa Befana, Italy

In the boot-shaped country, the character `Santa Claus` Befana is replaced by Santa Claus.

Any baby who meets La Befana will be whipped with a broom because she doesn’t want anyone to see her.

Some places also say that she was a woman who went crazy because she lost her child and thought His Holiness was her child so she gave him a gift.

Belsnickel, Germany – Austria – Argentina

Belsnickel is a legendary character accompanying Santa Claus, appearing in the folklore of some regions in Europe and a small part of the Dutch in Pennsylvania, USA.

In Germany, Belsnickel will give gifts to good children, while naughty children will receive coal instead.

Belsnickel is known as a scowling but very kind old man.

Devil Krampus, Germany – Austria – Hungary

Meaning `claw`, this creature has the appearance of a demon, appearing frequently in German folk tales.

The devil Krampus is one of the scary characters for children in many countries around the world.

The devil Krampus is the opposite of Santa Claus, whose job is to beat and punish all bad children.

Old man winter, Russia and some Western European countries

The two characters that children in these countries look forward to the most during Christmas and New Year are Father Frost and his niece (some places say he is a girl) Snow Maiden.

Father Frost is considered Santa Claus in Russia, but he often gives gifts to children on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas Eve.

The Winter God and the Snow Maiden are two famous characters in Russian folklore.

In ancient Norse legend, this is a tall winter god named Jokul Frosti who is closely related to the God of Wind.