With every destination we researched, each country seemed to claim Santa as one of their own.
Canada: When Canadians think of Santa, they think of their parade. The Santa Claus Parade in Toronto is one of the oldest and largest Santa parades in the world! It started in 1913 when Santa was pulled through the streets of Toronto. Children along the route followed Santa and marched along with him. It's been taking place for over 100 years and now is a huge event with over 25 animated floats and 2000 people taking part! It's broadcast on TV around the world. Canadians are especially proud to say that their country is the home of Santa Claus. (Although the people in Finland would disagree!)
Germany: Santa Claus or Father Christmas (der Weihnachtsmann) brings the presents on December 24th. You might also write a letter to Weihnachtsmann in other parts of Germany. December 6th is St. Nicholas' Day and "der Nikolaus" when he brings some small gifts, such as sweets and chocolate, to the children. He comes in the night between the 5th and the 6th and puts the presents into the shoes of the children, who usually place them by their doors on the previous evening. In some regions of Germany, there is a character called "Knecht Ruprecht" or "Krampus" who accompanies St. Nicholas on the 6th of December. He looks like a big horned monster who is clothed in rags and carries a birch. He will punish the children who were bad and will give them a birch as a present. He is usually the one who scares the little children. In other parts of Germany, St. Nicholas is followed by a small person called "Schwarzer Peter" (Black Peter) who carries a small whip. Black Peter also accompanies St. Nicholas or Sinterklaas in Holland. In north west Germany Santa is joined by Belsnickel a man dressed all in fur. Some people say that Santa/Father Christmas (Weihnachtsmann) brings the presents and others say he is Christ like!
Greece: Santa does exist..and he's a Greek. His alternative name, St. Nicholas, reflects his true identity. From gift-giving to red clothes, Nikolaos of Myra was a model for the modern Santa Claus. In Asia Minor at the Graeco-Roman city of Myra in about AD 300, a young man named Nikolaos was born. His generosity was born of an understanding of the potential pain of those he chose to help - Nikolaos was persecuted and imprisoned for his faith, so his compassion for the potential loss of freedom for those he helped was a very real and personal one. St. Nikolaos became the Dutch Sinterklaas, which then evolved into the modern "Santa Claus". The most renowned depiction of Santa Claus comes from "Twas the Night Before Christmas", when all through the house - whoops, sorry - whose original title is "A Visit from St. Nicholas". His "Name Day" is December 6th, the anniversary of his death, which is still a gift-giving date in many countries, though most have conformed to the 25th as the date for distributing presents. After Nikolaos' death, he was made a saint, patron of sailors and children, butchers and bakers, and judges, to name just a few. Many Greek beaches and harbors still have shrines to him. Part of the saint-making process requires attested miracles, and he accumulated plenty. While those miracles don't list traveling around the world in a single night, dropping gifts everywhere, once miracles can be managed, why should anything be impossible?
Argentina:What is the name for Santa Claus? Papa Noel In parts of Argentina, the gift bringer is called El Nino Jesus, "the infant Jesus." Santo Clós (Santa Claus) - Niño Dios - Los Reyes Magos ("The Wise Men").
Romania: In Romania during the Communist years, they used to call Santa by the name Moş Gerilă (or Old Man Frost since the word ”Christmas” wasn’t very popular during that era) instead of Moş Crăciun (Old Man Christmas) as he is traditionally known.