Skip to playerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
euronews (in English)
  • 24/12/2024
It's not just Santa Claus who delivers gifts to Europe over the Christmas season.
Transcript
00:00Who brings Europeans their Christmas presents?
00:08Christmas has finally come and, if you've been good,
00:11a load of presents has most likely arrived along with it.
00:14But who delivers those much-anticipated gifts to Europe?
00:17It might sound like an obvious question, but in true European fashion,
00:21the countries are united in their diversity,
00:24so it's not actually quite as straightforward as you might think.
00:27Let's start with the most well-known answer – Santa Claus,
00:30the bearded personification of Christmas known for his red attire,
00:33hearty laugh and flying reindeer companions.
00:36He's so synonymous with Christmas that he's likely to appear across the continent,
00:41but many countries have their own flavour of Santa,
00:44even though they're all often considered the same person.
00:46In much of Western Europe, like France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and the UK,
00:51it's Father Christmas who delivers presents,
00:54with his name changing slightly depending on the language.
00:57In parts of Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark,
01:00you've got Christmas Man who performs the same function,
01:03and for other countries, it's Saint Nicholas.
01:05Sometimes it's the Christ Child himself who delivers gifts.
01:09He tends to appear in Central Europe, such as Southern Germany,
01:12Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
01:15He traditionally gave out presents in Portugal and Italy too,
01:18but he's now mostly handed the job over there.
01:21Sticking with the nativity,
01:22the Three Kings or the Three Wise Men deliver presents to Spaniards on the 5th of January,
01:28but they're not necessarily going to hand out gold, frankincense or myrrh.
01:31Looking east to places like Russia and Serbia,
01:34you've got the old man Frost doing the gift giving.
01:36Ukraine tends to get gifts both from him and Saint Nicholas,
01:40while Saint Basil is the traditional present bringer in Greece and Cyprus.
01:44Other countries and even regions within those countries have different characters still,
01:48such as Catalonia's Christmas Log and Iceland's Christmas Lads.
01:52Whoever brings you your gifts, we wish you a Merry Christmas from Euronews.

Recommended

1:30
Up next
War on Santa: Which European nations banned Christmas in the past?
euronews (in English)
23/12/2024
1:30
Frugal Europeans turn to second-hand Christmas gifts: Who buys the most in Europe?
euronews (in English)
20/12/2024
1:00
Santa departs Lapland on Christmas eve mission
euronews (in English)
24/12/2024
9:36
Santa Tries The Most Iconic Christmas Cookies
Delish
06/12/2023
10:27
Diana Helps Santa delivering Christmas presents
Life For Tips
18/12/2023
1:00
When is too early to start your Christmas shopping?
National World - LocalTV
25/09/2024
5:59
The Science of Santa Claus
Unveiled
11/01/2019
3:00
Inside London’s Santa School ‘bringing magic back to Christmas’
National World - LocalTV
18/11/2024
1:03
'Christmas creep' makes Santa arrive earlier each year
Bang Bizarre
30/10/2024
16:22
Santa is a SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE in 'Year Without a Santa Claus' | Ruined
Nerd Wire
23/12/2018
0:59
Survey reveals being on Santa’s nice list pays off
SWNS
18/12/2024
1:00
Santa sets off on his Christmas gift-giving tour
euronews (in English)
20/12/2024
3:05
What are your Christmas traditions?
National World - LocalTV
15/11/2023
10:26
Wendy Emma Jannie & Lyndon Pretend Play Saving Christmas Morning & Presents for Kids
Life For Tips
15/01/2023
6:32
What If Everyone Planted Their Own Christmas Tree?
WHAT IF
29/12/2023
0:54
Santa arrives in Manchester to herald start of Christmas season
ManchesterWorld
13/11/2023
8:28
Kinder Surprise Eggs Santa Claus Christmas Edition
Gahtursenrek
13/02/2016
1:06
How soon is too soon to set up your Christmas tree?
Australian Community Media
10/11/2022
3:05
I went to Santa School in London and spoke to Father Christmas
National World - LocalTV
14/11/2023
9:45
How to Kill Santa Claus
NowThis
11/06/2018
1:51:16
Country Gal to CEO's Bride Full Episode
Movie Coverage Trailers
today
2:37:12
[Eng sub] Eleven Years After Death, I Became Their Lucky Star Full Episode
Movie Coverage Trailers
today
1:17:51
When Im Gone Full Episode
Movie Coverage Trailers
yesterday
1:41
Boys and Coach Rescued from Cave in Thailand
i24NEWS (English)
11/07/2018
10:01
Reflecting on Rajneeshpuram Commune Life
i24NEWS (English)
28/05/2018