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Grandfather Frost and his colleagues

Ded Moroz, or Grandfather Frost, who is Slavic version of Santa Claus marks his birthday on November 18

Photo {{sliderIndex+1}} from 14

Ded Moroz, or Grandfather Frost, the Slavic version of Santa Claus, is a key figure of the New Year celebrations in Russia. His birthday is usually marked on November 18

© ITAR-TASS/Lev Fedoseev

Photo: During a festive procession of All-Russian Father Frost on the Nevsky Prospect in Saint Petersburg

© ITAR-TASS/Ruslan Shamukov

Photo: A man portraying Santa Claus poses with children at the Maine Mall in South Portland, US

© AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty

Joulupukki is a Finnish Christmas figure. Today, Joulupukki looks and behaves mostly like his American cousin. His house is situated in the mountains of Lappland in Finland. His assistants are not elves, but are essentially human, often dwarflike

© EPA/TAMAS KOVACS

Photo: Joulupukki of Finland and his Hungarian counterpart sign a friendship treaty in the Santa Claus House

© EPA/ZSOLT SZIGETVARY

Sinterklaas from Netherlands is a traditional figure based on Saint Nicholas. Photo: Sinterklaas and a his companion Zwarte Piet in Gouda, The Netherlands, where Saint Nicolas festival is celebrated on the evening of 05 December

© EPA/REMKO DE WAAL

Befana from Italian folklore, is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to St Nicholas or Santa Claus

© EPA/ANSA/ANDREA MEROLA

Babbo Natale, or Father Christmas is Italy’s version of Santa Claus. So children get gifts from both Babbo Natale and Befana in Italy

© EPA/CLAUDIO PERI

The Polish Santa is named Mikolaj, or St. Nicholas, and it is on his feast day that children receive presents. Photo: Santa Claus in Warsaw, Poland

© AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski

In Spain and Spanish-speaking parts of the world, Three Wise Men are traditionally in charge of bringing presents to children. Photo: King Melchior, one of the Three Wise Men (or Three Kings), greets children in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. On the Epiphany (January 6), the Catholic Church marks the visit of the Three Kings to the baby Jesus in Bethlehem

© EPA/RAMON DE LA ROCHA

Photo: Police officers dressed as the Three Wise Men or Three Kings parade in Lima

© AP Photo/Martin Mejia

Photo: Santa Claus from Sweden at the annual Santa Congress at Bakken amusement park Denmark. Santas from all over the world gather in Denmark every year to discuss such important matters as when to hold Christmas and how large to make the presents

© AP Photo/John McConnico

Photo: 'Santa Christian' from Burundi takes part in the reindeer sledge competition during the Santa Claus winter games in Gaellivare, Sweden

© EPA/KENNETH PAULSSON

Photo: Indonesian Santa Claus on a three-wheeled motorized pedicab greets children during a Christmas parade in Bolaang Mongondow, Indonesia

Ded Moroz, or Grandfather Frost, the Slavic version of Santa Claus, is a key figure of the New Year celebrations in Russia. His birthday is usually marked on November 18. Santa Claus, Joulupukki, Befana and other colleagues of Grandfather Frost from all over the world - in photo gallery by TASS.

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