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Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Santa, or Klaus) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve.
- The Legend of St. Nicholas: The Real Santa Claus. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around A.D.
- Sinter Klaas Comes to New York. St. Nicholas made his first inroads into American popular culture towards the end of the 18th century. In December 1773, and again in 1774, a New York newspaper reported that groups of Dutch families had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death.
- Shopping Mall Santas. Gift-giving, mainly centered around children, has been an important part of the Christmas celebration since the holiday’s rejuvenation in the early 19th century.
- ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore, an Episcopal minister, wrote a long Christmas poem for his three daughters entitled “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas,” more popularly known as “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.”
May 28, 2024 · Santa Claus, legendary figure who is the traditional patron of Christmas in the United States and other countries, bringing gifts to children. His popular image is based on traditions associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian saint.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Today’s most common depiction of Santa Claus is of a portly white-bearded gentleman dressed in a red suit with a black belt and white fur trim, bla...
- Santa Claus is said to live at the North Pole with his wife, where he spends the year making toys with the help of his elves. There he receives let...
- The Dutch are credited with transporting the legend of St. Nicholas (Sinterklaas) to New Amsterdam (now New York City), along with the custom of gi...
- It is said that on Christmas Eve Santa Claus loads his sleigh with toys and flies around the world, drawn by nine reindeer. Stopping at each child’...
- While it is tough to catch Santa Claus on Christmas Eve when he is said to come down the chimney, it is possible to spot Santa in shopping malls an...
Dec 22, 2020 · The story of Santa Claus seems to be a tale as old as time, but the Christmas icon actually has his roots in a real-life person—the Catholic figure of St. Nicholas.
Dec 25, 2018 · Learn how the historical figure of St. Nicholas, a fourth-century bishop from Turkey, became the modern icon of Christmas. Explore the origins, evolution, and cultural variations of Santa Claus across time and place.
- 3 min
- Brian Handwerk
Explore, play and learn with Santa's elves all December long.
Learn how Santa Claus evolved from St. Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop who performed miracles for the poor, to a white-bearded, red-capped figure who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve. Explore the myths, stories and facts behind the legendary figure and the tradition of gift giving.
