The following is a collection of Santa myths from around the world, including the ‘Jolly Old Elf’ of the United States, Weinachtsmann and Christkindle of Germany, Zwarte Piet (Black Peter) of The Netherlands, the Tompte of Sweden, Tsai Sen Yeh of Asia, Dedt Moroz of Siberia, and England’s Father Christmas.

Jolly Old Elf (America)

In 1809 Washington Irving introduced the first American depiction of Santa Claus in Knickerbocker’s History of New York. Irving’s Santa is of Dutch origin, with baggy breeches, broad brimmed hat, magical long pipe and a habit of laying his finger alongside his nose and winking.

Weinachtsmann (Germany)

Meaning "Christmas Man". On Dec. 6th, Saints Feast Day, children would leave their shoes on the doorstep. Weinachtsmann would fill the shoes with toys and gifts. In some parts of Germany he brought presents on Christmas Eve accompanied by Christkindle "Christ’s Little Helper".

Christkindle (Germany)

A boyish figure of no gender. On Christmas Eve he would help Weinachtsmann carry gifts, and would fill the good children’s shoes with toys and gifts.

Zwarte Piet (Black Peter)

During the middle ages the Dutch referred to the devil as Black Peter. It was said that St. Nicholas put the devil in chains and made him his slave. St. Nicholas would have Black Peter drop candy and gifts down the chimneys into the children’s shoes on St. Nicholas Eve, which is a few weeks before Christmas.. The practice was eventually carried over to Christmas itself.

Tompte (Sweden)

Tomptes are elves who live deep in the forest. At Christmas time they make ornaments from wheat to decorate the trees. They also deliver gifts to the good children. Tompte’s were always seen accompanied by a goat made of wheat, called a "Julback".

Tsai Sen Yeh (Mongolian-Asian Santa)

Herdsmen’s Day, is celebrated with feasting and the exchanging of small gifts by the family. Many other Oriental ethnic groups (those touched by the Mongols), were influenced by the tradition of these year-end celebrations. Tsai Sen Yeh appears at the end of the feast and gives gifts of money to the children.

Dedt Moroz (Siberia)

Known as Father Ice. There once was a woman who had two stepdaughters, one kind and the other wicked. One day in a fit of rage, the stepmother threw the kind daughter out in the cold. Dedt Moroz appeared on his sleigh and, impressed with her kindness, rewarded her with diamonds. After hearing about this, the mother put her wicked stepdaughter out in the snow. The wicked girl threw a tantrum, which irritated Dedt Moroz so much that he turned her into ice.

Father Christmas ( England )

Originated in the 1600

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