who weren't good stewards of the farmland. Over time, and with the increasing influence of Christianity, the Tomte eventually became integrated into the more traditional celebration of Christmas. Their appearance changed, too, as they were given more human features and eventually took on a role more closely related to that of Santa Claus.
Gift-Giving Style:
Modern Tomte (now known variously
as Jultomte, Julnisse, and Joulupukki)
do still differ from Santa in many ways.
Most notable is that they tend not to be
fat, and even though they might drive
a sleigh, it doesn't fly. They don't live
in the North Pole, either. In fact, in some
regions, children are told the character lives in the woods just outside their house. Also unique is that although the Tomte brings gifts to kids, he doesn't sneak in the house through the chimney at night. Instead, a parent or relative will dress up like the character and bring the gifts to the kids in person.
Parts of Germany, Austria, Italy, and Brazil -
" Christkind"
Literally meaning the Christ Child, Christkind is a holiday gift-giver associated with different parts of the world where Christianity is the main religion. He was popularized in the 1500s by Martin Luther, who hoped that a more religion-based holiday figure would help stamp out what he saw as the corruptible influence of St. Nicholas.
Since he is supposed to literally be the baby
Jesus, Christkind is usually depicted as a small,
saintly child with blond hair and the wings of
an angel. The influence of Christkind as the sole
holiday figure has waned with the increasing
popularity of Santa Claus, but it is still widely
celebrated, especially in the more largely
Catholic regions of South and Central America.