lately I included the keyword "New year "  for some of my father xmas files .IS reviewers  found these irrelevant and removed  the kws. I wonder if they realise that Santa Claus is the  symbol of new year  for  many non-Christian countries?

I've never heard that Santa is associated with the new year.

Russia, there HE is called "Father Frost" and they traditionally do not have Christmas but a new years celebration.

Santa Claus and Father Frost are not the same. In communist regimes lather one was popularized by communist parties to eliminate Christian tradition of Christmas. Originally Father Frost comes from pagan god of Winter who was kidnapping kids and asking parents for presents in exchange. Later it was "converted" and started giving presents like Saint Nicholas :-)

The wikipedia article for Santa Claus is interesting.
"A nearly identical story is attributed by Greek and Byzantine folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil's feast day on January 1 is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus

Interesting information but would the symbology be the same?  How is Father Frost traditionally depicted?

Quote from: sharpshot on December 17, 2009, 00:14
The wikipedia article for Santa Claus is interesting.
"A nearly identical story is attributed by Greek and Byzantine folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil's feast day on January 1 is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus

Well, as you can see from the name Santa Claus is derived from Saint Nicolas - who has his holiday on December 6 (which is celebrated in some countries). Only the mixture of pagan and Christian values have moved him to Xmas in the first place. But in no way, he is bringing any presents on New Year's.

I am aware that Slavian countries are celebrating New Year's more in the way of exchanging gifts like we celebrate Christmas in the west. But as far as I know this again is not in any way considered to be Christmas. From my understanding, the Orthodox church calendar is about two weeks behind of the Catholic/Protestant calendar and Orthodox Christmas is being celebrated on January 7.

So however you turn it, Santa Claus or Christmas in general can not be connected to New Year's.

Just my personal opinion, of course.

Quote from: MichaelJay on December 17, 2009, 00:42
So however you turn it, Santa Claus or Christmas in general can not be connected to New Year's.

Just my personal opinion, of course.

No offence intended I can understand  if you look from a Christian point of view Santa is no way related to new year but   as a matter of fact ,like I said before, it is (may be even  falsely) but still perceived as symbol of new year in some countries like in Turkey and suppose in many others as well. advertisers use  Santa as the symbol  for advertising new year's events . in such places not many people even know what and when Xmas is. Actual background could be different and  I appreciate that but I was talking about actual  facts and how it is perceived in some countries who doesn't traditionally celebrate Christmas.so I don't think ,including this keyword should be considered as keyword spamming .  not surprising  if you search for Santa+ new year SS returns with 16,698 results    DT  12574  StockXpert 9663    FT  8600 results  I think this numbers prove people are clearly relating it to new year.

Quote from: stokfoto on December 16, 2009, 22:39
lately I included the keyword "New year "  for some of my father xmas files .IS reviewers  found these irrelevant and removed  the kws. I wonder if they realise that Santa Claus is the  symbol of new year  for  many non-Christian countries?

Image of Santas is only associated with wannabe "CocaCola" copycats as I can see...
In illustrative bizarre illustrative sense are very similar and if somebody of iStock reviewers can show me difference between St. Nicholas, St. Claus or Father Frost whatever and why other exclusive member have this additional "New year" keyword in this holly crap thing which is approved?
So if you are not exclusive you must have best lubricant any how for puking or for from other side.
If you will gonna to comply and maybe expect nonsense answer after few months youre image will be maybe visible at Chinese new year. 
Marry Christmas too all of you, even to iStock and G(r)ee(d)y images...