Père Noël

Père Noël, also known as Father Christmas or Santa Claus, is a legendary gift-bringer at Christmas in France and other French-speaking areas. He is said to live at the North Pole with his wife, Mrs. Claus, and their eight reindeer. On Christmas Eve, Père Noël flies around the world in his sleigh, delivering presents to all the good little boys and girls. In France, children leave their shoes by the fireplace on Christmas Eve filled with carrots and treats for Père Noël's donkey, Gui. Père Noël takes the offerings and, if the child has been good, leaves presents in their place. Presents are traditionally small enough to fit in the shoes; candy, money or small toys. Père Noël is sometimes confused with another character, Saint Nicolas. Saint Nicolas is celebrated on December 6th in Eastern France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Eastern Europe. He is followed by Le Père Fouettard, a sinister figure dressed in black who accompanies Saint Nicolas and spanks children who have behaved badly. In Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, due to the influence of French culture in the 19th century, the name of Papá Noel/Papai Noel was adopted. In Turkey there is Noel Baba. In Louisiana C