The Most Unusual Christmas Characters Around The World
It’s no surprise that children generally love Santa Claus. Maybe it’s because of his rosy cheeks or the fact that he brings them presents. Santa isn’t the only mythical character who’s known to visit kids in the month of December. Throughout many countries, they have their own version of him. While some Christmas characters from around the world are as lovable as Santa, others of them are terrifying to children.
Knect Ruprecht. Austria
This character shares a few similarities with Santa Claus. He does have a beard but wears a brown robe instead of a red Santa suit. He gives gifts to children, but on December 6 as opposed to December 25. He tends to focus on giving gifts to children that have misbehaved throughout the year and it’s generally something that they really don’t want like coal or even dirt.
Krampus, Europe
This character certainly is no jolly St. Nick. If you have good behavior you have nothing to worry about, but if you are somewhat of an ornery child, then you better be prepared for not only a lump of coal, but to be purely frightened. Krampus takes punishing a naughty child to the extreme. Not only will he give them a naughty gift, but will try to truly terrify them into having good behavior through his actions and animal-like appearance.
La Befana, Italy
This female character looks very different than Santa Claus. She resembles a witch on a broom and visits children on January 5. Good children can expect to receive candy while bad children get onions and coal. She does have a few similarities to Santa- she prefers to come at night when children are sleeping and instead of using the front door she uses the chimney to make her entrance into a house.
Ded Maroz, Russia
This character looks like a cross between Santa Claus and a wizard. He wears a long coat that can either be blue and white or red and white and is decked out in jewels. He also has a magic staff that he takes with him at all times. Like Santa Claus, he tends to be fairly jolly and children seem to fall in love with him the moment that they set eyes on him. Ded Maroz doesn’t come on one day and will just barge in a house any time before New Years to see the children and hand out presents. It’s also not uncommon for him to give naughty children a spanking instead of a gift.
