Scandinavian Santa
Country of Origin: Various

n Norwegian countries, like Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, children receive gifts from Julenisse, the Scandinavian Santa, and his pet goat Yuley on Christmas Eve.

If you have been good all year long, Yuley knocks his horns against your front door three times. When you come to answer the knock – Julenisse greets you with your gift, and a small paper basket of candy to be hung on your Christmas tree. In exchange, you should have a bowl of porridge ready for them to eat before they continue to the neighbor’s home.

Scandinavian families also circle around the beautifully decorated Christmas tree singing carols before they open their gifts. Anticipation builds as you are only allowed to open your gift after the last Christmas carol is sung.

If you have been naughty the past year or don’t have porridge for Julenisse and Yuley, they may play a trick on you by hiding after they’ve knocked, or by moving the barn animals around.

Sources for the History of Scandinavian Santa:

http://www.santas.net/norwegianchristmas.htm http://www.stavanger-web.com/jul/christma.htm
http://www.cyberclip.com/