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In Armenia the traditional Christmas tree was not a fir tree. It had fruit-bearing branches, symbolized the tree of life  and was decorated with dried fruit, raisins and seeds.


The ancient Armenians called Santa Claus Khaghand Pap.

Ethnographer Hasmik Baghramyan says that the image of Armenian Santa Clause was meant to encourage children to practice abstinence during a fast. Kaghand Pap would come silently, bring gifts and leave. He was said to have been able to work wonders in a silent, magic atmosphere.
“Tonatsuyts’ national theatre has invented a fairy tale that our Kaghand Pap lives on the top of Mount Ararat, not in Lapland.

“I would like every child to believe in Santa Claus. It is psychologically important because in the eyes of a small child, a parent – especially the mother - is God. Children have a feeling of dependence on the parents and it is essential for them to believe that in addition to the parents, there is also someone else – a mysterious, kind-hearted and generous creature – in their life.  This will prepare the child to experience the presence of God in life,” Fr. Ruben Zargaryan of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin said about Santa Claus.

New Year celebrations became popular in the Soviet time.  According to ethnographer Svetlana Poghosyan, Christmas was celebrated with pomp  in the traditional society. “During that period preparations for Christmas would begin in the summer and continue in the autumn,” she recalled.