Santa Claus in Eastern Europe

Names for Russia's Santa:

• Дед Мороз (Ded Moroz - Grandfather Frost)

About the Russian Santa: Ded Moroz,or Grandfather Frost, is a stately older gentleman who is accompanied by a beautiful snow maiden named Snegurochka. They make their home in Russia's north, Veliky Ustyug.

Russia's Christmas Traditions

Names for the Czech Santa:

• Svatý Mikuláš (Saint Nicholas)
• Ježíšek (Baby Jesus)

About the Czech Santa: Saint Nicholas visits children on St. Nicholas Eve, and actors take to the streets to pass out sweets. Baby Jesus, who lives in the Czech mountains, visits on Christmas Eve and magically decorates a tree and leaves gifts for children.

Czech Christmas Traditions

Names for Hungary's Santa:

• Mikulás (Nicholas)
• Télapó (Old Man Winter)
• Jézuska or Kis Jézus (Baby Jesus)

About Hungary's Santa: Mikulas is Hungary's answer to Saint Nicholas. Baby Jesus visits on Christmas Eve.

Hungary's Christmas Traditions

Names for Croatia's Santa Claus: 

• Sveti Nikola (Saint Nicholas)
• Djed Mraz (Grandfather Frost)
• Djed Božičnjak (Grandfather Christmas)

About Croatia's Santa Claus: Sveti Nikola fills shoes with treats on St. Nicholas Eve. Djed Mraz is responsible for delivering gifts on Christmas Eve. Croatian children may also receive small gifts on St. Lucy's Day.

Croatia's Christmas Traditions

Names for Poland's Santa Claus:

• Święty Mikołaj (Saint Nicholas)
• Gwiazdor

Poland's Mikulaj sometimes stands in on St. Nicholas Day and Christmas Eve. In some regions, Gwiazdor is responsile for bringing gitfts to children.

Poland's Christmas Traditions

Names for Bosnia and Herzegovina's Santa Claus:

• Djeda Mraz (Grandfather Frost)

Names for Bulgaria's Santa Claus:

• Дядо Коледа (Dyado Koleda - Grandfather Christmas)
• Дядо Мраз (Dyado Mraz - Grandfather Frost)

Bulgaria's Christams Traditons

Names for Albania's Santa Claus:

• Babagjyshi i Krishtlindjeve (Grandfather Christmas)
• Babadimri (Grandfather Winter)

Names for Lithuania's Santa Claus:

• Senis Šaltis (Old Man Frost)
• Kalėdų Senelis (Christmas Grandfather)

Lithuania's Christmas Traditions

Names for Macedonia's Santa Claus:

• Дедо Мраз (Dedo Mraz – Grandfather Frost)

Names for Slovakia's Santa Claus:

• Mikulas
• Ježiško
• Dedo Mraz

Slovakia's Christmas Traditions

Names for Slovenia's Santa Claus:

• Sveti Nikola (Saint Nicholas
• Dedak Mraz (Grandfather Frost)

Slovenia's Christams Traditions

Names for Romania's and Moldova's Santa Claus:

• Moș Crăciun (Father Christmas)
• Moș Nicolae (Father Nicholas)
• Moș Gerilă (Father Frost) 

Romania's Christmas Traditions

Names for Serbia's Santa Claus:

• Дедa Мрaз (Deda Mraz - Grandfather Frost)
• Божић Бата (Božić Bata - Christmas Brother)

Names for Ukraine's Santa Claus:

• Svyatyy Mykolay
  Дід Мороз (Did Moroz – Grandfather Frost)

Ukraine's Christmas Traditions

Names for Latvia's Santa Claus:

• Ziemassvētku vecītis (Christmas Grandfather)

Latvia's Christmas Traditions

Names for Estonia's Santa Claus:

• Jõuluvana

Estonia's Christmas Traditions