List of Christmas and winter gift-bringers

The main originating strands – all of which have their roots in Europe – are Not all gift-bringers were or are specifically focused on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day: other common customs are 6 December (Saint Nicholas), 1 January, New Year (St Basil, or secular), and 6 January, Epiphany (Three Kings).

The international popularity of the figure of Santa Claus has transformed the older traditions of many countries.

[2] Given the overlapping nature of gift-bringers throughout the world in name, attributes, date of arrival, and religious versus secular identity, this list may include winter gift-bringers that are not specifically associated with Christmas.

The list should however not include mythical or folkloric characters that do not bring gifts, such as Father Time.

- Saint Nicolas (Saint Nicholas) in Alsace, Lorraine, the Ardennes, Franche-Comté and the Low Countries, 6 December - Olentzero in the Basque Country - Saint Martin in Alsace, Franconian Lorraine and Maritime Flanders, 10 or 11 November[29][30][31] - Le Père Janvier (Father January) in Burgundy, Nivernais and Bourbonnais, 31 December - 1 January[32] - Le Christkindel (Christkind) in Alsace and Franconian Lorraine, 6 December[33] - Les Rois Mages (The Three Kings) in Roussillon - Berchta in Alsace[34] - Nikolaus, 6 December - Weihnachtsmann[35] (Christmas Man), 24 December in Protestant areas - Hindi: सांता क्लॉज़ (saanta kloz), सैंट निकोलस (saint nikolas) - Other languages: Several names[a] - In other languages: Nenets: Ямал Ири (Yamal Iri) (Grandpa of Yamal); Tatar: Кыш Бабай (Grandfather Winter); Yakut: Чысхаан (Chyskhaan) (Lord of the Cold)[citation needed] - In other languages: Sinterklaas (in Afrikaans), uFata Khisimusi (in Zulu)[citation needed]