Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint
Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary character
originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts to
the homes of well-behaved children on the night of Christmas Eve (24
December) or during the early morning hours of Christmas Day (25
December). The modern character of Santa Claus was based on traditions
surrounding the historical Saint Nicholas (a fourth-century Greek
bishop and gift-giver of Myra), the British figure of Father
Christmas, and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas (himself also based on
Saint Nicholas). Some maintain Santa Claus also absorbed elements of
the Germanic deity Wodan, who was associated with the pagan midwinter
event of Yule and led the Wild Hunt, a ghostly procession through the
sky.Santa Claus is generally depicted as a portly, jolly,
white-bearded manâ€"sometimes with spectaclesâ€"wearing a red coat
with white fur collar and cuffs, white-fur-cuffed red trousers, red
hat with white fur, and black leather belt and boots and carrying a
bag full of gifts for children. This image became popular in the
United States and Canada in the 19th century due to the significant
influence of the 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" and
caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. This image has been
maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children's
books, films, and advertising.In modern folklore, Santa Claus is said
to make lists of children throughout the world, categorizing them
according to their behavior, and to deliver presents, including toys
and candy, to all of the well-behaved children in the world, and coal
to all the misbehaving children, on the night of Christmas Eve. He is
said to accomplish this feat with the aid of his elves, who make the
toys in his workshop at the North Pole, and his flying reindeer, who
pull his sleigh. He is commonly portrayed as living at the North Pole,
and laughing in a way that sounds like "ho ho ho". Santa Claus Biography, NetWorth, Height, Age, Weight, Family, Married, Son, Daughter