Baboushka   Pre-Soviet Russia

As La Befana, her Italian counterpart, Baboushka was displeased at the interruption of her housework by the Magi in search of the manger. In her annoyance, she gave them incorrect directions! Later, out of remorse, she loaded a basket of gifts and goodies and set out to find the Magi, without success. Thereafter, Baboushka left gifts in the rooms of sleeping children on the Eve of Epiphany until the Soviet Union suppressed this tradition.