Obviously not influenced by the temperature at Santa Claus. The average temperature in January in Moscow - 10, Kiev -6. The smallest in Kiev -33.
Although I have little interest in Ukrainian traditions, but do not understand your words "In the Ukrainian cultural tradition of its own close to Santa Claus image that's somehow not formed. You seriously think that the image of Santa Claus-conquering Russians?
As far as I know, the current festive stereotypes of Santa Claus with Christmas carols, went disguised as "ghosts" were knocking at the windows and they carried gifts. The most terrible of carols called Grandfather.
I really believe in Father Christmas carols transformed another direction:
Kolyada - god of parties and the peace that ancient Slavs celebrated the winter solstice (December 22). "Before the children were going to kolyadovat under the windows of the rich peasants, the great master in the songs, he repeated the name of Christmas Carols and asked for money, sweets. Kolyada - deity of fun, so it is touted,
clicked in the New Year holiday crowd of young people. " When, in 1935. Postyshev in Kharkov decided to impose a celebration of New Year and Christmas party system in the USSR, and agreed to the procedure based on what people in this time of year has always worked-in Christmas carols.
Ie the foundation of modern ritual - Christmas carols, which are hung Odojevs'kogo literature.
P.S. Found a scientific study of the origin of mythology with Santa Claus from the mid 19th century.
http://magazines.russ.ru/nlo/2001/47/dush.html