Germany does not have a Santa Claus that delivers the presents, instead they have the Christkind (Christ child) which is the traditional German gift bringer. Some Germans interpret the Christkind as a angel while other think of the Christkind as baby Jesus. Children never get to see the Christkind unlike children in America who get to see Santa at the mall. On Christmas Eve the Christkind come during the day, and the room containing the tree is locked. Usually when the children return from church or later in the night, a bell is rung, signifying the Christkind has come, and the door is "magically" unlocked. Under the tree sits all the presents and just like in America everyone opens them.
Pictured above is a traditional German present that was brought to me by the Christkind, this wooden figure is hand carved and painted. It opens and you put incense in the bottom portion, light it, put the top back on, and then the smoke comes through the mouth. The Christkind ( my host parents) was very nice to bring me a Santa Claus one which was probably hard to find.
I have seen Santa figures and decorations in Germany though, not a lot but some; not to mention the American Christmas music playing sometimes mentions Santa Claus or reindeer. Almost all Germans do know about our Santa Claus and how we have to wait til Christmas day to open our presents.
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