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Père Noël (French pronunciation:[pɛʁnɔ.ɛl]), "Father Christmas", sometimes called 'Papa Noël' ("Dad Christmas"), is a legendarygift-bringer at Christmas inFrance and otherFrench-speaking areas, identified with theFather Christmas and/orSanta Claus of English-speaking territories. Though they were traditionally different, all of them are now the same character, with different names, and the shared characteristics of a red outfit, workshop at theNorth Pole/Lapland, and a team of reindeer.
According to tradition, onChristmas Eve children leave their shoes by the fireplace filled with carrots and treats for Père Noël's donkey, Gui (French for "Mistletoe") before they go to bed. 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.[1]
Père Noël is sometimes confused with another, older character. In Eastern France (Alsace andLorraine regions), in the Netherlands, in Belgium, in Germany, in Switzerland and in Eastern Europe (and nowadays also in the eastern states of the US) there is a parallel tradition to celebrateSaint Nicolas orSinterklaas on December 5 or 6. He is followed byLe Père Fouettard, who exists also in different parts ofGermany (Knecht Ruprecht orBelsnickel),Austria (Krampus), theNetherlands andBelgium (Zwarte Piet in Dutch,Le Père Fouettard in French).Le Père Fouettard is a sinister figure dressed in black who accompaniesSaint Nicolas and spanks children who have behaved badly.
InArgentina,Uruguay,Colombia, andBrazil, due to the influence of French culture in the 19th century, the name ofPapá Noel/Papai Noel was adopted, opposing for example the name ofPai Natal inPortugal. InTurkey there isNoel Baba.
InLouisianaCajun culture, a version of Papa Noël is modeled after Santa Claus, in which he arrives at homes in apirogue towed by eightalligators.[2] In some families, his visit is followed by the arrival of a figure calledLa Christine on New Year's Eve bearing sweets and nuts; in others, La Christine is simply another designation for Santa Claus.[3]
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