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CHRISTMAS

Sweden beats China to win Santa world cup

Two Swedes have claimed the coveted prize of being named best Santas in the world after winning a Santa Claus world cup in Swedish Lapland.

Sweden beats China to win Santa world cup
Harmångernissan (left) and Santa Jocke (right) are now Sants world champions. Photo: TT

The Santa Winter Games takes place every year in Gällivare, a small town 100km north of the Arctic Circle, and has been held since 2003.

It's serious business for Kris Kringles across the world, with past winners travelling from as far as Colombia, Hong Kong and China. Yet despite the ease of location home competitors failed to win in the first 12 years. 

Thanks to Santa Jocke and his helper Harmångernissen, home fortunes have changed. The Swedish duo beat competition from China, Hong Kong, France and Germany in tasks like dressing the Christmas tree, present wrapping, lasso throwing and a dance-off in order to take top prize.

“It feels really great. It wasn’t at all what we had imagined,” a delighted Harmångernissen told Swedish radio station Sveriges Radio.

Among Santa Jocke’s skills are dancing the jitterbug and playing the piano, while Harmångernissen is a dab hand at the accordion, according to the Santa Winter Games website.

Santa Jim and Santa Johnny, two skilled carol singers from China, placed second, while Santa Kiwi and Santa Apple from Hong Kong came third.

If it wasn't already apparent that the festive season is in full swing in Sweden, the Santa Winter Games took place on the same weekend as 1,500 Santas ran through central Stockholm in the city's annual Santa Run.

CHRISTMAS

Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

A significant increase in families have sought Christmas help from the Danish Red Cross compared to last winter.

Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

Higher process for food, electricity, gas and fuel are being felt by vulnerable families in Denmark, driving more to apply for Christmas packages offered by the Red Cross, broadcaster DR writes.

The NGO said in a statement that more people than ever before have applied for its Christmas help or julehjælp assistance for vulnerable families.

While 15,000 people applied for the charity last year, the number has already reached 20,000 in 2022.

“We are in an extraordinary situation this year where a lot more people have to account for every single krone to make their finances work,” Danish Red Cross general secretary Anders Ladekarl said in the press statement.

“For many more, their finances no longer work, and this is unfortunately reflected by these numbers,” he said.

The Red Cross Christmas assistance consists of a voucher worth 900 kroner redeemable at Coop stores or, in some stores, a hamper consisting of products.

READ ALSO: These are Denmark’s deadlines for sending international mail in time for Christmas

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