On the tenth day of Christmas...

...my true love sent to me,
Ten Norwegian Nisse,
Nine chestnuts roasting,
Eight men a-smoking,
Seven trees a-hanging,
Six ladies dancing,
Five g-old things,
Four merry birds,
Three W-ise Men,
Two Christmas candles,
And a cat sitting under the tree!


"The tomte (Sweden), nisse (Norway and Denmark), or tonttu (Finland) is a mythological creature from Scandinavian folklore typically associated with the winter solstice and the Christmas season. It is no taller than three feet, and has a long white beard and colorful clothes. It is known as a gift bearer and considered the Swedish version of Father Christmas.

The Tomte was preceded by another mythological creature: the Yule Goat. Based on tradition, these Yule Goats appear on Christmas Eve. Fathers dressed up as this figure and knocked on the door of their homes to hand out presents to their children.

The Yule Goat was soon replaced by the Tomte, or the Nisse, which is likened to a garden gnome. According to tradition, they secretly live in a house and act as its guardian. They protect children and animals from evil and misfortune. They also help with chores and farm work. They are known to have a temper especially when they are offended. If they are ever insulted, they usually play tricks and kill livestock.

The Tomte delivers gifts through the door, in accordance with the Swedish tradition of the visiting Santa Claus who enters homes to hand out presents. They are also commonly seen with a pig, another popular Christmas decorative piece in Sweden. People who believe in the Tomte usually leave behind a bowl of porridge with butter for the creature to eat after he leaves behind the gifts."

Wikipedia