The Children's Corner

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 152, 24 December 1926, Page 14

The Children's Corner

SANTA CLAUS IN OTHER LANDS

In Miily iSanfii <!h.uis iiHuunics a, J'emalo guise, nitd as Ija, Ijel'ano steals softly to ttio children's bedsideM to fill Iheir (itockingH with noasoiuible gifts. There is, too, an Italian ceremony called Zo|iatit, when, it is customary for persons to hidu presents in tho shoes and slippers of those they do honour to, "in such ntauner its may surpriiio them on the morrow when they <v.me to dress," and tliis, wo are told, is done in imitation of Bt. Nicholas, who used in tho j/ighfc time to throw purses in at the windows of poor girls for their marriage portions.

lv -Flanders and Holland it in Kntjcht Clobes who, ,-i.t dead of: night, steals in to lilt the children '» shoes and stockings with the good things r, dear to their hearts. On thu eve, of fit, iViehous'k day Austrian children put out [iluti'M mul dishes t,o receive) Ih'j caken and other delicacies which Ihe good IMiklany. will not fail to bring them in Ihe dark hours of! the night; but only if they have said their prayers properly before hi.') coming.

.In Germany on Christmas Kvo it m cutomary for Knee.ht ftupeit, disguised wil.li a long beard and wrapnd in a largo fur cloak, to cntnr the room when the children arc; gathered together. He asks them whether Ihey <:nn jiray; and if they stand the test to his satisfaction, he rewards them with apples, nub, and gingerbread; punishing, on the other hand, thorn; with whom lie is dissatisfied.