{"id":104330,"date":"2019-12-24T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-24T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/?p=104330"},"modified":"2026-09-27T21:47:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T19:47:19","slug":"fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/","title":{"rendered":"Facts about Santa Claus \u2013 15 things you (maybe) didn&#039;t know"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ta_ads_container\" class=\"takeover-container has-clientside-condition loading run-count-0\" data-ttl=\"86400\"><div class=\"takeover-bar\"><a class=\"blog-logo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/\" title=\"FREEDOMtravel - Sweden&#039;s largest travel magazine - \" rel=\"home\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/FREEDOMtravel-resemagasin.png\" alt=\"FREEDOMtravel - Sveriges mesta resemagasin\"><\/a><a class=\"home-link close-takeover\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/\">Go to FREEDOMtravel<\/a><\/div><div class=\"takeover-content\"><div class=\"label\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-3723558226\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/se.adria-mobil.com\/husvagnar\/alpina\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"adria-freedom-computer-1920x900px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-300x141.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-1024x480.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-768x360.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-224x105.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-600x281.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-1536x720.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-18x8.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-433x203.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-dator-1920x900px-1200x563.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" width=\"1920\" height=\"900\"   \/><\/a><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {if( advads.get_cookie( \"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709_timeout\" ) ) {if( advads.get_cookie( \"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709\" ) ) {var advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709 = parseInt( advads.get_cookie( \"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709\" ) ) + 1;} else { var advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709 = 1; }} else {var advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709 = 1;advads.set_cookie_sec(\"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709_timeout\", \"true\", 86400 );}advads.set_cookie_sec(\"advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709\", advanced_ads_ad_impressions_317709, 86400 );});<\/script><\/div><\/div>\n<h3 id=\"h-skribent-helena-bergstrom\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Writer: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Updated: September 2026<\/em> | Who is Santa Claus really? A canonized bishop from modern-day Turkey, a little Swedish farm elf or a big bearded American who flies around with reindeer? The answer is actually: a little bit of everything. Today&#039;s Santa Claus is a strange international mix of old traditions, literature, illustrations and advertising. Here are 15 facts about Santa Claus \u2013 from Saint Nicholas and the Yule Goat to Rudolf and Iceland&#039;s 13 Christmas elves.<\/p><div class=\"sharethis-buttons\"><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"twitter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/twitter.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Tweet<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"facebook\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/facebook.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"linkedin\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/linkedin.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"pinterest\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/pinterest.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Pin<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"reddit\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/reddit.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><div class=\"st-custom-button\" data-network=\"digg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/platform-cdn.sharethis.com\/img\/digg.svg\"><span class=\"label\">Share<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ace3ff29a0e3\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6ace3ff29a0e3\" checked aria-label=\"toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#1_Jultomten_har_inte_ett_enda_ursprung\" >1. Santa Claus does not have a single origin<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#2_Sankt_Nikolaus_blev_en_forebild_for_den_givmilde_tomten\" >2. Saint Nicholas became a role model for the generous Santa Claus<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#3_Sinterklaas_blev_Santa_Claus_i_Amerika\" >3. Sinterklaas became Santa Claus in America<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#4_En_dikt_gav_tomten_atta_renar_och_en_skorsten\" >4. A poem gave Santa eight reindeer and a chimney<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#5_En_tecknare_placerade_tomtens_verkstad_pa_Nordpolen\" >5. An artist placed Santa&#039;s workshop at the North Pole<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#6_Den_svenska_gardstomten_gav_inga_julklappar_%E2%80%93_han_ville_ha_grot\" >6. The Swedish farm elf didn&#039;t give any Christmas presents \u2013 he wanted porridge<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#7_Julbocken_hade_jobbet_fore_jultomten\" >7. The Christmas goat had the job before Santa Claus<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#8_Viktor_Rydberg_och_Jenny_Nystrom_formade_den_svenska_jultomten\" >8. Viktor Rydberg and Jenny Nystr\u00f6m shaped the Swedish Santa Claus<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#9_Den_svenska_jultomten_blev_en_blandning_av_flera_figurer\" >9. The Swedish Santa Claus became a mixture of several figures<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#10_Coca-Cola_skapade_inte_den_roda_jultomten\" >10. Coca-Cola didn&#039;t create the red Santa Claus<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#11_Haddon_Sundblom_gjorde_Coca-Cola-tomten_varldsberomd\" >11. Haddon Sundblom made the Coca-Cola Santa world famous<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#12_Rudolf_med_roda_mulen_skapades_som_reklam\" >12. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created as an advertisement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#13_Tomtens_renar_kan_vara_honor_%E2%80%93_aven_Rudolf\" >13. Santa&#039;s reindeer can be female \u2013 even Rudolph<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#14_Jultomten_kan_heta_julgubben_%E2%80%93_eller_julbissen\" >14. Santa Claus can be called Santa Claus \u2013 or Santa Claus<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#15_Pa_Island_kommer_13_jolasveinar_till_jul\" >15. In Iceland, 13 Santa Clauses come to Christmas<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#Vem_ar_jultomten_egentligen\" >Who is Santa Claus really?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/#Prenumerera_pa_vart_nyhetsbrev\" >Subscribe to our newsletter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Jultomten_har_inte_ett_enda_ursprung\"><\/span>1. Santa Claus does not have a single origin<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#039;s easy to imagine Santa Claus as an ancient figure who has changed little over the centuries. It&#039;s not that simple. The Santa we know today has emerged through the blending of several completely different traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here you will find the Christian saint Saint Nicholas, the Dutch Sinterklaas, the Nordic farm gnome and the Swedish Christmas goat, among others. Then add American poems and illustrations, Viktor Rydberg and Jenny Nystr\u00f6m, Coca-Cola commercials and a bunch of flying reindeer.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-i-blogginlagg freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-551742497\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88752\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-3235092518 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-375395006\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ullbadden.se\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ullbadden_588x158_feb_2026-1-433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-719646820\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/se.adria-mobil.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"adria-freedom-top-banner-588x158px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-toppbanner-588x158px.gif\" alt=\"\"  width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider3235092518 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-3235092518\" );$freedslider3235092518.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider3235092518.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider3235092518.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider3235092518.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider3235092518.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The result was the red-clad, white-bearded figure that now feels natural at Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_9023-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-280163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_9023-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_9023-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_9023-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_9023-224x126.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_9023-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_9023-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_9023-590x332.jpg 590w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_9023-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/batch_IMG_9023.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Peter and Helena from FREEDOMtravel.se, as Santa Claus and Santa Claus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Sankt_Nikolaus_blev_en_forebild_for_den_givmilde_tomten\"><\/span>2. Saint Nicholas became a role model for the generous Santa Claus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of Santa Claus&#039; most important predecessors is Saint Nicholas, a Christian bishop who lived in the 4th century in Myra in Lycia, in present-day Turkey.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-i-blogginlagg-2 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-2923038879\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88753\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-557975410 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-2917118696\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.elmia.se\/husvagn\/for-besokare\/biljetter\/?utm_source=freedomtravel&#038;utm_medium=banner&#038;utm_campaign=elmiahusvagn_kop_biljett_mars-sep\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ElmiaHusvagnHusbil_2026_FREEDOMtravel_vi_ses_2027_588x158-433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-682141351\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husbilslandet.com\/i-lager?amount=-1&#038;vehicle_type=camper&#038;price=219000%2C8874149&#038;y=2005%2C2027&#038;weight=1000%2C18000&#038;rea=true\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Demo sale (588 x 158 px)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px-.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px-.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--300x81.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--224x60.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--18x5.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Demoutforsaljning-588-x-158-px--433x116.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"158\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider557975410 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-557975410\" );$freedslider557975410.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider557975410.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider557975410.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider557975410.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider557975410.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many legends about his generosity. The most famous tells of a poor man who could not afford dowries for his three daughters. Nicholas is said to have secretly given the family money. Of course, exactly what really happened is impossible to know this long after, but the stories helped to make Nicholas a saint associated with children and gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th, and in several European countries traditions surrounding the saint still survive.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-stora-banner freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-3123564280\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-3269786252\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/firstcamp.se\/bra-att-veta\/incheckning-efter-stangning?utm_source=display&#038;utm_medium=Freedom-Travel&#038;utm_campaign=Freedom-Travel-sommar-2026\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-300x143.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-224x107.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-18x9.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Dropin_freedom_travel_588x280_SE_final-433x206.jpg 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"280\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jultomte-Kroatien-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1201\" height=\"740\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jultomte-Kroatien-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jultomte-Kroatien-1.jpg 1201w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jultomte-Kroatien-1-600x370.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jultomte-Kroatien-1-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jultomte-Kroatien-1-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jultomte-Kroatien-1-1024x631.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jultomte-Kroatien-1-1200x739.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1201px) 100vw, 1201px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Saint Nicholas at the Christmas market in Zagreb.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Sinterklaas_blev_Santa_Claus_i_Amerika\"><\/span>3. Sinterklaas became Santa Claus in America<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the Netherlands, Saint Nicholas developed into <strong>Santa Claus<\/strong>, a bishop-like figure who brings gifts to children in early December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dutch immigrants brought the traditions to North America, where the name Sinterklaas eventually changed to <strong>Santa Claus<\/strong>. But the American Santa Claus would eventually take on a rather different appearance than the solemn European bishop. It is therefore no coincidence that <em>Santa Claus<\/em> and <em>Saint Nicholas<\/em> sounds a bit similar.<\/p><div class=\"freed-grupp-stora-banners-i-blogginlagg-2 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-4228467623\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-3269415555\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/wifi.se\/produkt\/hybrid-traveller-portabel-5g-router-med-backup-batteri-i-over-6-timmar-usb\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"freedom\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/freedom.gif\" alt=\"\"  width=\"588\" height=\"288\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-the-daphne-lens-2151762624-35006707-1024x769.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315898\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-the-daphne-lens-2151762624-35006707-1024x769.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-the-daphne-lens-2151762624-35006707-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-the-daphne-lens-2151762624-35006707-768x577.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-the-daphne-lens-2151762624-35006707-224x168.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-the-daphne-lens-2151762624-35006707-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-the-daphne-lens-2151762624-35006707-433x325.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-the-daphne-lens-2151762624-35006707-1200x901.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-the-daphne-lens-2151762624-35006707-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-the-daphne-lens-2151762624-35006707.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sinterklaas. Photo: The Daphne Lens \/ Pexels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_En_dikt_gav_tomten_atta_renar_och_en_skorsten\"><\/span>4. A poem gave Santa eight reindeer and a chimney<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1823 the poem was published <em>A Visit from St. Nicholas<\/em>, also known as <em>\u2019&#039;Twas the Night Before Christmas<\/em>. The poem had enormous significance for how the American Santa Claus came to be imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here Saint Nicholas arrives in a flying sleigh pulled by <strong>eight reindeer<\/strong>, comes down the chimney and fills the Christmas stockings with gifts. The reindeer also have names. In modern versions they are usually called Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. What about Rudolf? No, we have to wait more than a hundred years for him.<\/p><div class=\"freed-placering-11 freed-entity-placement\" style=\"text-align: center;\" id=\"freed-2153727649\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><div id=\"freed-slider-88783\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-2925590630 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-1042784088\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husvagnsbranschen.se\/medlemmar\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"HRF new xl 2026-9\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HRF-nya-xl-2026-9-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-2741383280\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a 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https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/oaddtrip-Kabe-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-2904321950\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unityline.se\/erbjudande\/erbjudande-for-individuella\/polsca-hosterbjudande\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/polsca_grafika_jesienna_propozycje_588x588pxfreedomtravel-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider2925590630 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-2925590630\" );$freedslider2925590630.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider2925590630.unslider({ delay:4000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider2925590630.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider2925590630.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider2925590630.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/samusic-santa-9242062_1280-1024x574.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315895\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/samusic-santa-9242062_1280-1024x574.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/samusic-santa-9242062_1280-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/samusic-santa-9242062_1280-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/samusic-santa-9242062_1280-224x125.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/samusic-santa-9242062_1280-600x336.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/samusic-santa-9242062_1280-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/samusic-santa-9242062_1280-433x243.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/samusic-santa-9242062_1280-590x332.jpg 590w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/samusic-santa-9242062_1280-1200x672.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/samusic-santa-9242062_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Santa and two of his reindeer. Image source: SAMusic \/ Pixabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_En_tecknare_placerade_tomtens_verkstad_pa_Nordpolen\"><\/span>5. An artist placed Santa&#039;s workshop at the North Pole<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the second half of the 19th century, the American plot continued to develop through the cartoonist <strong>Thomas Nast<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his popular illustrations, Nast built on the story of Santa Claus and contributed, among other things, to the notion that Santa lives and has his workshop on <strong>North Pole<\/strong>. It was a practical choice. The North Pole was far away, mysterious, and belonged to no single country. There, a magical Santa Claus could work undisturbed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since then, other places have of course laid claim to Santa Claus. In Finland, Korvatunturi and Rovaniemi are primarily associated with him, while the Danish Santa Claus is often placed in Greenland.<\/p><div class=\"freed-stor-banner-plats-14 freed-entity-placement\" id=\"freed-3922453268\"><div id=\"freed-slider-88782\" class=\"custom-slider freed-slider-3795659310 freed-slider\"><ul><li><div id=\"freed-2460614375\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/husbilslandet.com\/i-lager?amount=-1&#038;vehicle_type=camper&#038;price=219000%2C8874149&#038;y=2005%2C2027&#038;weight=1000%2C18000&#038;rea=true\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Demo sale 588x588px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Demoutforsaljning-588x588px-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><li><div id=\"freed-3823582387\" class=\"method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/se.adria-mobil.com\/husvagnar\/alpina\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"adria-freedom-XL-588x588px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px.jpg\" alt=\"\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px.jpg 588w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-224x224.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-12x12.jpg 12w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-325x325.jpg 325w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-520x520.jpg 520w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/adria-freedom-XL-588x588px-120x120.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 588px) 100vw, 588px\" width=\"588\" height=\"588\"   \/><\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $freedslider3795659310 = jQuery( \".freed-slider-3795659310\" );$freedslider3795659310.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$freedslider3795659310.unslider({ delay:5000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$freedslider3795659310.on(\"mouseover\", function() {$freedslider3795659310.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$freedslider3795659310.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterbug26-arrow-1238842_1280-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterbug26-arrow-1238842_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterbug26-arrow-1238842_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterbug26-arrow-1238842_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterbug26-arrow-1238842_1280-224x149.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterbug26-arrow-1238842_1280-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterbug26-arrow-1238842_1280-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterbug26-arrow-1238842_1280-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterbug26-arrow-1238842_1280-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/shutterbug26-arrow-1238842_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image source: Shutterbug26 \/ Pixabay.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Den_svenska_gardstomten_gav_inga_julklappar_%E2%80%93_han_ville_ha_grot\"><\/span>6. The Swedish farm elf didn&#039;t give any Christmas presents \u2013 he wanted porridge<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Nordic <strong>the farmyard<\/strong>, or farm gnomes, were originally something completely different from today&#039;s Santa Claus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He was thought to be a small supernatural creature who kept a watchful eye over the farm and the animals. If the people behaved well, he could help \u2013 but if he was mistreated, it could have unpleasant consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So it was important to keep up with Santa. For Christmas he could get a bowl of porridge, and according to later tradition the porridge would have a generous dollop of butter. However, he didn&#039;t bring any packages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_50_37-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-308406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_50_37-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_50_37-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_50_37-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_50_37-224x149.png 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_50_37-18x12.png 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_50_37-433x289.png 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_50_37-1200x800.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_50_37-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_50_37.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">AI-generated image of porridge-loving elf.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Julbocken_hade_jobbet_fore_jultomten\"><\/span>7. The Christmas goat had the job before Santa Claus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before Santa Claus took over, <strong>Yule goat<\/strong> bring Christmas presents in Sweden. The Christmas goat has a long and rather checkered history and has appeared in several different roles in Nordic Christmas celebrations. During the 19th century, it became common in bourgeois homes for someone to dress up as a Christmas goat and hand out presents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eventually, the goat was outcompeted by Santa Claus. Nowadays, he has been demoted from Christmas gift-giver to Christmas decoration \u2013 unless he happens to be a giant straw goat in G\u00e4vle, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/emil-palren-XWyPLOfVleU-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-279555\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/emil-palren-XWyPLOfVleU-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/emil-palren-XWyPLOfVleU-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/emil-palren-XWyPLOfVleU-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/emil-palren-XWyPLOfVleU-unsplash-224x149.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/emil-palren-XWyPLOfVleU-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/emil-palren-XWyPLOfVleU-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/emil-palren-XWyPLOfVleU-unsplash-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/emil-palren-XWyPLOfVleU-unsplash-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/emil-palren-XWyPLOfVleU-unsplash-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/emil-palren-XWyPLOfVleU-unsplash-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A cat peeks into a straw Christmas tree. Photo: Emil Palr\u00e9n \/ Unsplash.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Viktor_Rydberg_och_Jenny_Nystrom_formade_den_svenska_jultomten\"><\/span>8. Viktor Rydberg and Jenny Nystr\u00f6m shaped the Swedish Santa Claus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two people were particularly important for the image of the Swedish Santa Claus: the author <strong>Viktor Rydberg<\/strong> and the illustrator <strong>Jenny Nystrom<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rydberg wrote, among other things, <em>Little Vigg's adventures on Christmas Eve<\/em> and the famous poem <em>plots<\/em>, which begins with the words \u201dMidwinter&#039;s night&#039;s cold is fierce.\u201d Jenny Nystr\u00f6m illustrated his stories and then continued for many years to draw elves on Christmas cards and other items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her elves were often small, bearded figures in a Nordic setting \u2013 much closer to the farm elves than the American Santa Claus. Neither Rydberg nor Nystr\u00f6m \u201dinvented\u201d the Swedish Santa Claus, but they contributed greatly to how we came to imagine him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jenny-Nystrom-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-143130\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jenny-Nystrom-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jenny-Nystrom-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jenny-Nystrom-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jenny-Nystrom-433x243.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jenny-Nystrom-600x337.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jenny-Nystrom.jpg 1201w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Home with elves in the exhibition about Jenny Nystr\u00f6m, at Kalmar County Museum.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Den_svenska_jultomten_blev_en_blandning_av_flera_figurer\"><\/span>9. The Swedish Santa Claus became a mixture of several figures<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When Santa Claus became popular as a Christmas present-giver in Sweden around the turn of the last century, several traditions came together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We had our old farm gnome. We had the Christmas goat. From the continent came the traditions of Saint Nicholas, and from the English-speaking world came the increasingly popular Santa Claus. The Swedish Santa Claus therefore became something of a <strong>hybrid<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maybe that&#039;s why he can feel both like a little elf who belongs on a Swedish farm and like a big red-clad gentleman who travels through the air with reindeer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tomte-i-S\u00e4len-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-59114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tomte-i-S\u00e4len-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tomte-i-S\u00e4len-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tomte-i-S\u00e4len-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tomte-i-S\u00e4len-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tomte-i-S\u00e4len.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A Santa Claus handing out Christmas presents during a visit to S\u00e4len. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Coca-Cola_skapade_inte_den_roda_jultomten\"><\/span>10. Coca-Cola didn&#039;t create the red Santa Claus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A persistent myth says that Coca-Cola invented the modern, red-robed Santa Claus. The company didn&#039;t. Santa Claus had been depicted as a round, bearded figure\u2014sometimes in red\u2014long before Coca-Cola&#039;s famous advertising campaigns began in the 1930s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, the advertisement received very wide distribution and helped to solidify the version of Santa Claus that we know so well today: big, cheerful, dressed in red, rosy cheeks and with a substantial white beard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-capotina-35605616-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-capotina-35605616-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-capotina-35605616-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-capotina-35605616-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-capotina-35605616-224x149.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-capotina-35605616-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-capotina-35605616-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-capotina-35605616-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-capotina-35605616-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-capotina-35605616.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Santa Claus dressed in red. Photo: Capotina Entretenimientos \/ Pexels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Haddon_Sundblom_gjorde_Coca-Cola-tomten_varldsberomd\"><\/span>11. Haddon Sundblom made the Coca-Cola Santa world famous<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The man behind Coca-Cola&#039;s famous Santa Claus images was named <strong>Haddon Sundblom<\/strong>. He was born in the United States in 1899 and had Nordic roots: his mother was Swedish and his father came from \u00c5land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From 1931 and for several decades, Sundblom painted Coca-Cola&#039;s Santa Claus. The images were enormously popular and became an important part of the visual history of the modern Santa Claus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And Haddon Sundblom actually has a small personal connection to us at FREEDOMtravel. I (Helena) worked with him for many years. <strong>Elinor Sundblom<\/strong>, a relative of Haddon, who lives on \u00c5land. Sometimes the world \u2013 and apparently also the world of elves \u2013 is quite small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/museum-2-21-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-206548\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/museum-2-21-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/museum-2-21-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/museum-2-21-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/museum-2-21-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/museum-2-21-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/museum-2-21-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/museum-2-21.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">About Haddon Sundblom at the museum in F\u00f6gl\u00f6, \u00c5land.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Rudolf_med_roda_mulen_skapades_som_reklam\"><\/span>12. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created as an advertisement<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most famous of Santa&#039;s reindeer was not among the original eight. <strong>Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer<\/strong>, or <em>Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer<\/em>, was created in 1939 by Robert L. May on behalf of the American department store Montgomery Ward. The story was published as an advertising product for children and became a huge success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There were several name suggestions before Rudolf received his final name \u2013 including Reginald and Rollo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Later, May&#039;s brother-in-law Johnny Marks wrote the song <em>Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer<\/em>, and when Gene Autry recorded it in 1949, Rudolf became a serious part of Christmas popular culture. Suddenly, Santa had nine reindeer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-mateusz-feliksik-1896604-13464193-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315911\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-mateusz-feliksik-1896604-13464193-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-mateusz-feliksik-1896604-13464193-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-mateusz-feliksik-1896604-13464193-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-mateusz-feliksik-1896604-13464193-224x149.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-mateusz-feliksik-1896604-13464193-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-mateusz-feliksik-1896604-13464193-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-mateusz-feliksik-1896604-13464193-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-mateusz-feliksik-1896604-13464193-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-mateusz-feliksik-1896604-13464193.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Mateusz Feliksik \/ Pexels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_Tomtens_renar_kan_vara_honor_%E2%80%93_aven_Rudolf\"><\/span>13. Santa&#039;s reindeer can be female \u2013 even Rudolph<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is a biological detail that makes Santa&#039;s reindeer even more interesting. Reindeer get <strong>both male and female horns<\/strong>. Adult males usually shed their antlers after the autumn rut, often before or around winter, while pregnant females normally retain their antlers longer and only shed them in the spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This means that reindeer running around with big antlers on Christmas Eve could very well be <strong>females<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, this can&#039;t be used as evidence for the gender of a bunch of fictional flying reindeer, but the next time you see Rudolph, Dasher, and Blitzen depicted with magnificent antlers on Christmas Eve, you can at least think about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2020\/12\/fakta-om-renar\/\">25 facts about reindeer - beautiful animals in the mountains<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-efrem-efre-2786187-31330361-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315913\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-efrem-efre-2786187-31330361-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-efrem-efre-2786187-31330361-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-efrem-efre-2786187-31330361-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-efrem-efre-2786187-31330361-224x149.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-efrem-efre-2786187-31330361-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-efrem-efre-2786187-31330361-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-efrem-efre-2786187-31330361-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-efrem-efre-2786187-31330361-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-efrem-efre-2786187-31330361.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo: Efrem Efre \/ Pexels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_Jultomten_kan_heta_julgubben_%E2%80%93_eller_julbissen\"><\/span>14. Santa Claus can be called Santa Claus \u2013 or Santa Claus<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Santa Claus is not called the same everywhere. In Finnish Swedish, the word is often used <strong>Santa Claus<\/strong>, which corresponds to Finnish <em>Santa Claus<\/em>. The Finnish word literally means \u201dChristmas goat\u201d \u2013 another trace of older Nordic Christmas traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In \u00c5land you can also come across the dialectal word <strong>Christmas Eve<\/strong>. In Finland, Santa Claus is associated with Korvatunturi in Lapland, while Rovaniemi has built up an entire Santa Claus world where you can meet him all year round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-tomten-28870226-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-315915\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-tomten-28870226-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-tomten-28870226-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-tomten-28870226-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-tomten-28870226-224x149.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-tomten-28870226-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-tomten-28870226-433x289.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-tomten-28870226-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-tomten-28870226-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/pexels-tomten-28870226.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image source: Santa Liljeblad \/ Pexels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_Pa_Island_kommer_13_jolasveinar_till_jul\"><\/span>15. In Iceland, 13 Santa Clauses come to Christmas<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Iceland, one Santa Claus is not enough. Here there is <strong>13 Christmas gifts<\/strong>, Christmas figures that descend from the mountains one by one in the run-up to Christmas. The first one arrives on December 12th and then another one arrives every day until Christmas Eve. They are named after their various quirks and antics \u2013 like licking bowls, stealing sausages or slamming doors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their mother is also the sorceress <strong>Gr\u00fdla<\/strong>, who according to old folk belief is not a particularly pleasant acquaintance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We know the Icelandic j\u00f3lasveinar a little bit better. Helena has lived in Iceland and for many years had a calendar with all thirteen elves. In our separate report we tell you more about them, their names and the Icelandic Christmas traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2009\/12\/pa-island-finns-13-jultomtar\/\">There are 13 Santas in Iceland<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-1024x683.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-308396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-224x149.png 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-18x12.png 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-433x289.png 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-1200x800.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/ChatGPT-Image-22-aug.-2026-17_26_10.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">AI-generated illustration of the 13 Icelandic Santas.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Vem_ar_jultomten_egentligen\"><\/span>Who is Santa Claus really?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So who is he, the man with the white beard? There really is no simple answer. Today&#039;s Santa Claus bears traces of a bishop who lived about 1,700 years ago, Dutch traditions, American poems and drawings, Nordic folk beliefs, the Swedish Yule goat, Viktor Rydberg, Jenny Nystr\u00f6m and Haddon Sundblom&#039;s Coca-Cola commercials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And somewhere along the way he got a flying sleigh, a workshop at the North Pole, eight reindeer \u2013 and finally a ninth one with a bright red muzzle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In other words, Santa Claus is not an old tradition. He is many old and new traditions that have merged into one and the same figure. And perhaps that is precisely why he has managed to become such an obvious part of Christmas in so many different parts of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/batch_IMG_E8540-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Jul\" class=\"wp-image-255265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/batch_IMG_E8540-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/batch_IMG_E8540-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/batch_IMG_E8540-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/batch_IMG_E8540-224x126.jpg 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/batch_IMG_E8540-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/batch_IMG_E8540-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/batch_IMG_E8540-433x244.jpg 433w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/batch_IMG_E8540.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Peter and Helena from FREEDOMtravel.se<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"freed-146097063\" class=\"hide-label freed-after-content_2 freed-entity-placement method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><form method=\"post\" id=\"ft_newsletter_subscribe\" action=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/\" class=\"ft-newsletter\" data-ajax-url=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php\" data-trp-original-action=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/2019\/12\/fakta-om-jultomten-10-saker-du-kanske-inte-visste\/\">\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"stage\" value=\"subscribe\" \/>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prenumerera_pa_vart_nyhetsbrev\"><\/span>Subscribe to our newsletter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"form-field\" data-missing=\"This field is required.\" data-invalid=\"Please enter a valid email address.\">\n<label for=\"ft_newsletter_email\">Email address<\/label>\n<input id=\"ft_newsletter_email\" name=\"ft_newsletter_email\" type=\"email\" value=\"\" placeholder=\"Enter your email address\" aria-required=\"true\" \/>\n<\/p>\n<input class=\"signup button newsletter-meta-button\" type=\"submit\"  name=\"subscribe\" value=\"Subscribe\">\n<div style=\"position: absolute; left: -4200px;\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ft-newsletter-protect\"><input type=\"text\" name=\"98d0b92c63fae1c39c28d2024aa82be8e0ab74fe\" tabindex=\"-1\" value=\"\"><\/div>\n<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"trp-form-language\" value=\"en\"\/><\/form><\/div><div id=\"freed-1355400987\" class=\"hide-label freed-after-content_3 freed-entity-placement method-missing not-front type-post not-theme-page\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 35px;\"><div class=\"freed-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><a data-no-instant=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"a2t-link\" aria-label=\"FREEDOMtravel Exit\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel.png\" alt=\"FREEDOMtravel Avslut\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-1024x341.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-768x256.png 768w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-224x75.png 224w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-600x200.png 600w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-18x6.png 18w, https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/FREEDOMtravel-433x144.png 433w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" width=\"1200\" height=\"400\"   \/><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>G\u00e5 vidare till FREEDOMtravel Advertisement Annons Skribent: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m Uppdaterad: september 2026 | Vem \u00e4r jultomten egentligen? En helgonf\u00f6rklarad biskop fr\u00e5n dagens Turkiet, en liten svensk g\u00e5rdstomte eller en stor sk\u00e4ggig amerikan som flyger omkring med renar? Svaret \u00e4r faktiskt: lite av varje. Dagens jultomte \u00e4r en m\u00e4rklig internationell blandning av gamla traditioner, litteratur, illustrationer [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":104374,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[88823,103,399],"class_list":["post-104330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vardag-och-fest","tag-fakta-om","tag-hogtid","tag-jul","has-featured-image"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280.jpg",1200,677,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280-300x169.jpg",300,169,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280-768x433.jpg",700,395,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280-1024x578.jpg",700,395,true],"influencer":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280.jpg",224,126,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280.jpg",1200,677,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280.jpg",1200,677,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280.jpg",18,10,false],"startpage_08":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280-433x244.jpg",433,244,true],"popular_product":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280.jpg",520,293,false],"startpage_camping_08":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280-433x677.jpg",433,677,true],"campervan_food":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280.jpg",588,332,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280.jpg",1200,677,false],"woocommerce_thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280-320x320.jpg",320,320,true],"woocommerce_single":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280-600x339.jpg",600,339,true],"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280-100x100.jpg",100,100,true],"yarpp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280.jpg",120,68,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Helena","author_link":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/author\/admin\/"},"uagb_comment_info":21,"uagb_excerpt":"G\u00e5 vidare till FREEDOMtravel Advertisement Annons Skribent: Helena Bergstr\u00f6m Uppdaterad: september 2026 | Vem \u00e4r jultomten egentligen? En helgonf\u00f6rklarad biskop fr\u00e5n dagens Turkiet, en liten svensk g\u00e5rdstomte eller en stor sk\u00e4ggig amerikan som flyger omkring med renar? Svaret \u00e4r faktiskt: lite av varje. Dagens jultomte \u00e4r en m\u00e4rklig internationell blandning av gamla traditioner, litteratur, illustrationer&hellip;","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/santa-claus-2899291_1280.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104330"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":315919,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104330\/revisions\/315919"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.freedomtravel.se\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}