Canada

Santa’s right at home in Canada—a winter wonderland right next door to the North Pole. Home to a mix of cultures, Canada is big enough to include them all in the Christmas festivities, but two of the largest groups are those with English or French backgrounds.

English-speaking families open their presents on Christmas Day and serve a traditional roast turkey dinner. Francophones enjoy their gifts on Christmas Eve before midnight Mass and have a special dinner called “réveillon” (awakening) afterward. All groups seem to recognize Santa Claus as a most welcome bringer of gifts!

Inspired by native materials and arts, Santa’s cloak resembles birch bark combined with quillwork. He carries a basket painted with a bright red Canadian maple leaf. Inside the basket are mandarin oranges, whose arrival often symbolizes the start of the holiday season to many Canadians.

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