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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/220688
The hidden power of children in Christmas traditions: Unveiling the role of secrecy and agency
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In today’s Western cultures, iconic figures such as Santa Claus, the Three Wise Men and the Befana Witch play a magical role in children’s Christmas celebrations. These
characters share standard features across various societies: they are widely celebrated, often through grand public events, and their ‘existence’ is made tangible through adultled performances. During the holiday season, individuals often dress up as these figures or their representatives to gather children’s gift wishes. Subsequently, families discreetly place the desired gifts in the home, creating the
illusion that these magical beings have delivered them.
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TORRA-MERÍN, Marti. The hidden power of children in Christmas traditions: Unveiling the role of secrecy and agency. Anthropology Today. 2023. Vol. 39, num. 6, pags. 3-5. ISSN 0268-540X. [consulted: 18 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/220688