The most famous “replacement” for Santa Claus is Santa Claus, who is most popular in the United States. According to legend, he lives in Lapland, but has several residences, including at the North Pole. Santa puts gifts and sweets in colorful woolen stockings, which must be hung in advance in a prominent place.
Santa is helped by elves and gnomes (the same cheerful gnomes who brew mulled wine at Christmas markets in European and American cities). And the most famous of the flying reindeer is, of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Finland: Joulupukki, mulled wine, and honey cakes
Finland (and therefore Lapland) has its own Santa Claus, Joulupukki (“Christmas goat”), who was depicted in the 19th century with a goatskin coat and small horns. The only “replacement” is the one who has a family: his wife, Muori, is the personification of winter. She runs the household, brews excellent wines, and bakes the most delicious honey cakes. All this can be found in abundance at Finnish Christmas markets, cafes, and shops.
