LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Christmas Traditions: Santa Claus
built 627 days ago
Some Christmas traditions come from religious teachings while others come from different cultures. There are Christmas traditions that are special to each individual family, and some of these traditions might have been started for purely commercial reasons. There are traditions that vary from country to country. Some of these variations are slight while others may be quite different. Santa Claus might be a tradition in one country while a similar character might have a completely different name and appearance in another country. This character usually has something to do with bringing gifts to small children so the appearance and name are not as important as the duties of this usually jolly man.
Source:
In the years following the Civil War, Christmas traditions began to filter across the country. Children's books played a vital role in spreading the customs of Christmas celebrations, particularly the tradition of trimmed trees and gifts delivered by Santa Claus. Sunday School Classes encouraged participation in such celebrations. The emergence of women's magazines ... played an important part in promoting the festival of Christmas, by suggesting various ways to decorate for the holidays, as well as supplying instructions on how to make such decorations.
Source:
What may be considered as the unique Christmas traditions of Japan are Christmas Cakes, Fried Chicken, and Daiku. The cake usually is a decorated sponge cake with miniature figures of trees, flowers, and Santa Claus. Fried chicken has become the traditional meal while the Daiku, which is the Ninth Symphony of Beethoven, the favorite music of the season.
Source:
Christmas traditions in Hong Kong include attending religious services, exchanging beautifully hand-decorated cards, and adorning homes and churches with poinsettias and Nativity scenes. The Christmas tradition of Santa Claus, better known as Lan Khoong or Dun Che Lao Ren in Hong Kong... is widely celebrated.
Source:
All Christian nations have traditions which have become a part of the Christmas season. For example, England has contributed the decorations of holly and mistletoe, carolling and gift giving.The Christmas tree is a medieval German tradition and the immortal carol "Silent Night" ... comes from Germany. The United States first made Santa Claus popular in New York, popularized the Christmas card about 1846 and made the major contribution to commercializing Christmas.
Source:
Laura Lawless gives you the skinny on French Christmas Customs and Traditions. (Bet you didn't know that: "In 1962, a law was passed decreeing that all letters written to Santa would responded to with a postcard. When a class writes a letter, each student gets a response.")
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Santa Claus