Which 1823 poem helped create the American image of Santa with a sleigh and reindeer?

The Night Before New Year's Day

Santas Around the World Quiz: Holiday Gift-Bringers

This Santas around the world quiz meets the holiday gift-bringers of many countries, from Sinterklaas and Italy's La Befana to Krampus, Russia's Ded Moroz, Iceland's Yule Lads, Finland's Joulupukki, Spain's Three Kings and Saint Nicholas of Myra. Ten questions, 90 seconds.

Start Santas Around the World Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 90 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 90s

Netherlands
Which gift-bringer arrives in the Netherlands by steamboat from Spain each November?
Italy
In Italy, which kind old witch brings gifts on the night before Epiphany?
Alps
Which horned creature punishes naughty children in Alpine folklore?
Russia
Ded Moroz, Russia's Grandfather Frost, is helped by his granddaughter. What is her name?
Iceland
How many mischievous Yule Lads visit Icelandic children before Christmas?
Origins
Which saint inspired the modern figure of Santa Claus?
Finland
Joulupukki, whose name means Yule goat, is the name for Santa in which country?
Spain
In Spain, who traditionally brings children's presents on January 6?
United States
Which 1823 poem helped create the American image of Santa with a sleigh and reindeer?
Sweden
In which country is the gnome-like Christmas gift-bringer called Jultomten?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which gift-bringer arrives in the Netherlands by steamboat from Spain each November?
Answer: Sinterklaas
Sinterklaas arrives in mid-November and brings gifts on the evening of December 5. Dutch settlers carried the tradition to New York, where his name helped inspire Santa Claus.
Q2: In Italy, which kind old witch brings gifts on the night before Epiphany?
Answer: La Befana
La Befana flies on a broomstick on January 5, leaving sweets for good children and coal for naughty ones. Legend says she sweeps the floor before she leaves.
Q3: Which horned creature punishes naughty children in Alpine folklore?
Answer: Krampus
Krampus appears on December 5, the night before Saint Nicholas Day, in Austria and parts of Germany. Parades of people in Krampus costumes are popular today.
Q4: Ded Moroz, Russia's Grandfather Frost, is helped by his granddaughter. What is her name?
Answer: Snegurochka
Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden, helps Ded Moroz deliver gifts on New Year's Eve. In Russia, the main gift-giving day is New Year rather than Christmas.
Q5: How many mischievous Yule Lads visit Icelandic children before Christmas?
Answer: 13
The 13 Yule Lads arrive one per night from December 12 and leave small gifts in shoes on windowsills. Each has a name describing his trick, such as Spoon-Licker and Door-Slammer.
Q6: Which saint inspired the modern figure of Santa Claus?
Answer: Saint Nicholas
Saint Nicholas was a fourth-century bishop of Myra, in today's Demre in southern Turkey. Stories of his secret gifts to the poor made him a patron saint of children.
Q7: Joulupukki, whose name means Yule goat, is the name for Santa in which country?
Answer: Finland
Joulupukki is said to live in Korvatunturi in Finnish Lapland. Unlike many Santas, he knocks on the door and asks whether there are any good children inside.
Q8: In Spain, who traditionally brings children's presents on January 6?
Answer: The Three Kings
The Reyes Magos parade through Spanish towns on the evening of January 5, throwing sweets to crowds. Children leave out shoes and treats for the kings' camels.
Q9: Which 1823 poem helped create the American image of Santa with a sleigh and reindeer?
Answer: A Visit from St. Nicholas
The poem, often called The Night Before Christmas, named eight reindeer, including Dasher and Dancer. It is usually credited to Clement Clarke Moore.
Q10: In which country is the gnome-like Christmas gift-bringer called Jultomten?
Answer: Sweden
Jultomten grew out of the tomte, a small farm spirit from Scandinavian folklore. Families leave him a bowl of porridge to keep him happy.

Santas Around the World Quiz – Who Brings the Presents?

Santa Claus, with his red suit and reindeer, is known almost everywhere, but he is just one of many gift-bringers around the world. Different countries have their own characters, some kind, some mischievous and some a little frightening. They arrive on different days, travel in different ways and reward children for good behavior in their own style.

Many of these figures trace back to Saint Nicholas, a fourth-century bishop of Myra, in what is now southern Turkey. Stories of his generosity spread across Europe, and he became Sinterklaas in the Netherlands. Dutch settlers carried Sinterklaas to New York, where writers and illustrators turned him into the jolly American Santa Claus.

Other traditions developed separately. Italy's La Befana is a friendly witch, Russia's Ded Moroz brings presents at New Year with his granddaughter Snegurochka, and in Spain the Three Kings arrive on January 6. Iceland has thirteen playful Yule Lads, while the Alps have Krampus, a horned figure who frightens naughty children.

Scandinavia offers its own versions too: Finland's Joulupukki, the Yule goat, and Sweden's Jultomten, who grew out of old farmhouse spirits. Together these traditions show how one simple idea, bringing joy to children in the darkest time of year, has taken many different shapes.

This quiz introduces the gift-bringers and the customs that go with them.

What This Quiz Teaches

This quiz is perfect for families, teachers and anyone curious about holiday traditions in other countries.

How Saint Nicholas of Myra inspired Santa Claus
How Sinterklaas arrives in the Netherlands
Who La Befana, Ded Moroz and Joulupukki are
What Krampus and the Yule Lads do
Why Spanish children wait for the Three Kings
How a poem shaped the American Santa

Quick Facts About Holiday Gift-Bringers

Coca-Cola's 1930s advertisements helped popularize the image of a large, jolly Santa in red.
In Germany and Austria, the Christkind, a child-like angel, brings presents in many regions.
Children in Brazil call Santa Papai Noel.
In Japan, a Christmas meal of fried chicken has become a popular tradition.
The Saint Nicholas Church in Demre, Turkey, attracts visitors from around the world.
NORAD has tracked Santa's sleigh for children every Christmas Eve since 1955.