Santa Claus is the most universally recognised figure around the world, adopted by differing cultures, many of which never see snow from year to year. He is becoming more popular in Italy for gift giving on Christmas Day but La Befana, … Saint Rita of Cascia is often called “the saint of the impossible”. The other pre-Christmas Day observance of the season, at least in some places, is Santa Lucia, on December 13. The names of Santa varies because of diversity in cultures and traditions across the world. She was born in 1381 near the city of Cascia and, although she wished to enter a convent, she was married off under obedience to her parent’s wishes at the age of 16. It is fascinating to know that the legendary Santa Claus is called by countless names in different countries. St. Rita’s story is one of the power of prayer and of faith. One of them is children writing letters of love to their parents instead of making a wish list for Santa Claus. The closest modern version of an Italian Santa Claus is Babbo Natale, but there’s a Santa-like figure that goes back even further. Italy is also home to plenty of unique traditions. 70+ Names of Santa Claus Across the World Also, did you know in some countries he is skinny while other countries he is overweight. At that point, titles were recognized to all who held them according to the law of so-called pre-unitarian States. Then ‘ la befana’ , an old lady, comes in search to the houses for search of the Christ Child. La Befana, the old woman who delivers gifts on Epiphany, January 6 is still the more popular Italian Christmas figure. Father Christmas or Santa Claus, dates back in the 16 th century and is associated with several historical figures, depending on the region. According to the tradition, the European Santa Claus comes from a Finish village, called Korvatunturi in Lapland Province. Babbo Natale, or Father Christmas is gaining popularity in Italy. Figures of this character are sold in shops in Italy around January 6. Since the 700s, an Italian witch named La Befana has flown around the region on a broom giving treats to good children and coal to the bad. In Italian folklore, Befana (pronounced ) is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to St. Nicholas or Santa Claus. She is usually portrayed as an old woman who wears a black shawl and rides a broomstick. They call him by a different name. Consequently, the Kingdom of Italy had several different nobility traditions, one for each pre-unitarian State and one for the unified … In Italy, La Befana is loved as much as Santa Claus. According to tradition, Santa Lucia was a martyr who took food to persecuted Christians held in the catacombs. Also in some countries, he wears green while other countries he wears red. One of the reasons for his, or her, popularity is the ability to merge with local gift-giving customs, resulting in a multitude of hybrids with their own unique traits. Italy, as a single nation state, began only in 1861, after the Piedmont-based Kingdom of Sardinia conquered most of present-day Italy. This note is often kept under the plate of the head of the family (usually father) and read out immediately after the Christmas Eve dinner. Babbo Natale, Italy’s version of Santa Claus, is becoming more popular and gift giving on Christmas day is becoming more common. About Epiphany in Other Countries Read more about Epiphany. Names of Santa Claus – Did you know that who we call Santa Claus is different in other countries. Some popular names of Santa Claus according to countries are given below: : Babbo Natale, the Italian Santa Claus But as in true Italian style, gifts are exchanged only on January 6 that is the day of Epiphany. Italian children call Santa Claus ‘Babbo Natale’. 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