In France, gifts are also given on December 24, but children place their shoes by the window so that Père Noël does not put the gifts under the tree, but in their shoes. Le Réveillon, a lavish midnight dinner featuring specialties such as oysters, foie gras, turkey, and Bûche de Noël (Yule log cake), is also part of the French Christmas tradition.

In Spain, the main celebration is not on December 24, but on January 6 (Día de los Reyes Magos). On the eve of this day, there are colorful street parades (“Cabalgata de Reyes”) with showers of candy. Children therefore write their wish lists not to Santa Claus, but to Melchior, Caspar, and Balthasar.

In Austria, it is not Santa Claus who comes on December 24, but the Christ Child – an angelic being with golden curls. In Switzerland, it depends on the region whether the Christ Child or Santa Claus comes.

In Hungary, Christmas presents are brought on December 24 by the “Baby Jesus” (Jézuska), not Father Christmas. There is also the Bethlehem play, a folk performance about the birth of Jesus, which is traditionally performed by children or young men in villages between Christmas and New Year.