Olentzero

Olentzero is a Basque Christmas character. He is known for delivering presents for children, almost like Santa Claus.

Legends
There are many variations of Olentzero's stories.

Original variations
One variation is that Olentzero is a jentillak, a mythological race of Basque giants living in the Pyrenees. Legend has it that they observed a glowing cloud in the sky one day. None of them could look at this bright cloud except for a very old, nearly blind man. When asked to examine it, he confirmed their fears and told them that it was a sign that Jesus would be born soon.

Local variations

 * In Areso, an adult would dress up as Olentzero and scare children out in the streets with a sickle.
 * In Berasteg i, if children didn't go to bed, a sickle would be thrown down the chimney and were told that Olentzero would cut their throats if they didn't go to bed.
 * In Dima, a straw puppet of Olentzero with a sickle would be hung from the church tower after midnight mas on Christmas. If children were being bad, Olentzero would come down the chimney and cut the children's throats

Modern variations
The modern version is that Olentzero is a friendly overweight character, and having a huge appetite and thrist. He is commonly wearing traditional abarketa shoes, wearin a Basque beret, and smoking a pipe. Sometimes his face is stained with charcoal. On Christmas Eve, people sing Olentzero carols and collect food and sweets.