In other countries, Santa's helpers just might whack you with a broom.
The Swiss version of Santa has an evil sidekick named Schmutzli.
Schmutzli carries a broom made out of twigs that he uses to beat kids when they're bad. He's generally depicted as a terrifying figure clad in dark clothing and makeup. "Schmutzli" is his German name, while Switzerland's French speakers refer to him as "Pere Fouettard," which means "The Whipping Father."
Source: cyclinginparis.blogspot.com
In Austria, Bavaria, and other Alpine countries, St. Nick rolls with Krampus.
Krampus is Santa's scary companion who carries around a basket to use for kidnapping naughty children. In addition to being St. Nicholas' companion, Krampus has his own holiday, called Krampusnacht, which is celebrated with the Krampuslauf, described by Wikipedia as "a run of celebrants dressed as the beast, often fueled by alcohol."
Krampus come to represent a kind of anti-Santa in the U.S.; last year, according to NPR, a man named Joseph Ragan organized a Krampus parade in Portland, Oregon, "as a reaction to the way Christmas dominates the winter season."
"Of all the 10,000 holidays that can be celebrated," he said, "we just have this one particular version of this one particular holiday really shoved down our throats for months at a time — in the most saccharine form."
Source: persephonemagazine.com
In Italy, a woman named La Befana brings kids presents instead of Santa.
According to legend, the Three Kings stopped by La Befana's house in the Italian countryside on their way to see the baby Jesus. They invited her to come along on their journey, and though she initially refused because she had to cook and clean, she soon changed her mind and ran to catch up with them. Some variations maintain that she's still chasing after Jesus with gifts, and winds up giving them to other children year after year, while others maintain that she found the child and he granted her the power to deliver presents to kids one night every year.
Of note: If you're expecting Le Befana, leave her wine instead of milk and cookies.
Source: justfoodnow.com
Russia has their own version of Italy's La Befana, named Babushka.
It's basically the same story: Three Kings showed up, she stayed behind, then ran around the countryside with gifts looking to catch up. Unclear if she expects vodka instead of wine.
Source: pamelakkinney.blogspot.com
