Culture
5 Weird Wingmen of Santa from Around the World
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Now meet some other intriguing holiday helpers.
The Christmas season is the traditional gift-giving time for the world’s Christians, but not everyone does this on Christmas Day, nor is Santa Claus the universal source of holiday largesse. St. Nicholas Day, St. Lucia Day, and Three Kings Day are other holidays where children can expect visits from magical gift-givers.
One similarity across traditions is that of “Santa’s Helpers.” In the United States, toymaking elves and flying reindeer lend Santa a hand. In other parts of the world, St. Nicholas or his equivalent get help from different quarters, some of them quite disturbing to modern American sensibilities.
Knecht Ruprecht: Foundling, servant, and liturgical quizmaster
German-speaking countries have a rich tradition of Santa’s helpers whose names vary with the geographical region. Collectively they are known as the Companions of St. Nicholas. Among them are characters with…
