In Japan, Santa's equivalent is a Buddhist Monk called Hotei Osho who was said to have eyes in the back of his head so he could see naughty children.

In Hawaii, Santa Claus is said to arrive by boat. In Greece, Santa is said to be an old sailor who smells of fish. On Christmas Eve the Polish spread hay around the kitchen and set two extra places for Mary and Joseph.

Christians in Iraq build a great Christmas bonfire, while in Australia, thousands gather on Bondi Beach to eat lunch in temperatures up to 100 Fahrenheit

Santa can't be everywhere, so in Sweden, despite Santa's close proximity to his base in Lapland, he sends elves to deilver the presents for him.

Even Father Christmas is getting into outsourcing...