Elf Holding a Big Present

About this drawing

This elf holding a present could be headed almost anywhere, but the delivery date depends on the country. Most American and British kids rush downstairs on the morning of December 25. Many families in Germany, Austria, and much of Central Europe open their gifts on the evening of December 24 instead, often after a special dinner.

Dutch and Belgian children get their turn far earlier. Sinterklaas arrives around December 5 or 6, leaving small treats and sweets in shoes set out by the fireplace. Spanish kids, on the other hand, have to wait longest of all. The Three Kings bring their gifts on the night of January 5, after big street parades, and children wake up to presents on January 6.

Italy's La Befana visits on that same night, carrying candy for the good and, supposedly, coal for the rest. Catalonia, in northeastern Spain, has one of the most surprising customs anywhere: kids sing to a smiling log called the Tió and tap it with sticks until it "delivers" candy and small gifts. Puerto Rico and much of Latin America celebrate Three Kings Day as well. Each custom has its own rules, yet all of them share one idea. In the dark of winter, someone has prepared a surprise, and a family gets to open it together.

• elf
• present
• bow
• traditions