Like the French
In Louisiana, Santa Claus is called Papa Noel.
A highlight of the holiday season every year in New Orleans is the bonfires on the levee, built to guide Papa Noël (Santa Claus). Another spectacular yule time site is Candlelight Caroling in Jackson Square.
Santa Claus becomes Père Noël when his sleigh reaches the bayous of Cajun Country in Louisiana. His sleigh turns into a pirogue, and his reindeer turn into alligators. Père Noël and his gators follow the bonfires, built as 20 foot towers, along the levees to bring presents to les bonnes enfants.
One of Louisiana's favorite Christmas traditions is the Bonfires on the Levee, a niche staple of the River Parishes' culture. The tradition of lighting bonfires on the river levees dates back to the earliest Cajun settlers of the regions of southern Louisiana to the west and north of New Orleans.
Bread pudding, pralines, fudge candy, pound cake and divinity are some of the desserts served. There's music, laughter, and dancing as all make merry on Christmas Eve as they bring each other glad tidings. Stockings or socks are hung by the fireplace for Père Noël to leave candies, fruit, and small gifts.
Jamaicans also believe in Santa Claus and he's called Father Christmas or Kris Kringle. He usually leave gifts for children under the Christmas tree on Christmas eve.
One of them is the lighting of the bonfires along the Mississippi River on Christmas Eve. These bonfires, erected on the river levees by the keepers of this old tradition, are intended to light the way for “Papa Noël,” the Cajun Santa Claus, on his airborne journey to the area.
It is called dirty because game participants steal gifts from each other in the attempt to end up with the best possible gift. Gifts for Dirty Santa are typically something fun, new, unique, and in good taste. Unlike the White Elephant gift exchange, Dirty Santa gifts are usually items the recipients will want and use.
Nick, Kris Kringle, or Santa Claus, but in south Louisiana he takes on a different name. That name is Papa Noel, or “Pere Noel,” which means Father Christmas. Author Terri Hoover Dunham knows the tale very well. In 2006, she wrote the children's book, “The Legend of Papa Noel: A Cajun Christmas Story.”
A magazine article from 1853, describing American Christmas customs to British readers, refers to children hanging up their stockings on Christmas Eve for "a fabulous personage" whose name varies: in Pennsylvania he is usually called "Krishkinkle", but in New York he is "St. Nicholas" or "Santa Claus".
Spanish: Papa Noel (lit.
While in countries like Mexico and Venezuela, presents might also be brought by El Niñito Dios (baby Jesus) or Santo Clós (Santa Claus).
Santa Claus is called Père Noël in French or Father Christmas. Small children may also call him Papa Noël or Daddy Christmas.
In a lot of countries of Latin America he is known as Papá Noél (father Noel). Meanwhile, in Chile, he is called el Viejito Pascuero. In Venezuela, his name is San Nicolás (Saint Nicholas), and in Central America he's called Santa Clos or Santi Clo. In Costa Rica, he is known as Colacho.
Boo. A term of endearment a parent or grandparent would call a small child, presumably Cajun in origin. Sometimes refers to your sweetheart, too.
Cher (share or sha) is a term of endearment used when greeting another person. It's similar to “love” or “dear,” and is traditionally used by Cajuns. For instance, “Oh, that's some spicy hot sauce, cher!”
Some families cook up a giant ham or a turkey, while others carve a roast and serve it up with a side of mashed potatoes. Others opt for a Christmas lasagna full of cheese and tomatoes.
Of those countries in Africa and the Middle East that celebrate Christmas, Papá Noel is the most common name for Santa Claus. In South Africa Sinterklaas, Father Christmas and Santa Claus are also used.
Santa goes by a few names in South Africa, including Sinterklaas (St Nicholas) and Kersvader (Father Christmas) for those who speak Afrikaans.
Then, on December 25th, Christmas Day, Santi Clo – that's Santa Claus to those uninitiated in Cuban speak – brings us presents.
French Catholics were known for their lively feasts and celebrations, and Christmas was no exception. In France, Santa Claus is known as Père Noël, and in the French colonies of The New World, came to be called Papa Noël.
What does Africa do for Christmas? Christmas dinner is a key part of the festive ritual in Africa. In most countries, Christmas is a public holiday and people make the most of the opportunity to visit family and friends. In East Africa, goats are purchased at the local market for roasting on Christmas Day.
The heaviest snowstorm of record in the Shreveport area is 11.0 inches (280 mm) in December of 1929. This fell on the 21st and 22nd, and one-half inch remained on the ground December 25th, making this the only Christmas Day of record with snow on the ground.