One small exception Russian empire turned a figure from Pagan mythology into a St Claus like figure https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ded_Moroz https://en.wikipedi

One small exception Russian empire turned a figure from Pagan mythology into a St Claus like figure https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ded_Moroz https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ded_Moroz But my understanding is that him handing out gifts didn't come from Pagan traditions and was a result of largely copying Santa Claus traits. Later during Soviet times secularish Christmas traditions including Ded Moroz were moved to New Year's.