Santa Claus

Santa Claus

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas Sinterklaas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or simply "Santa", is a historical, legendary and mythological figure who, in many Western cultures, is said to bring gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve, December 24 or on his Feast Day, December 6 (Saint Nicholas Day).

While Saint Nicholas was originally portrayed wearning bishop's robes, today Santa Claus is generally depicated as a plump, jolly, white-bearded man wearning a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots. This image became popular in United States and Canada in the 19th century due to the significant influence of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. This image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, and films. In the United Kingdom and Europe, he is often depicated in manner identical to the American Santa Claus, but he is commonly called Father Christmas.

A well-known folk legend associated with Santa Claus says that lives in the far north, in a land of perpetual snow. The American version of Santa Claus says that he lives at his house on the North Pole, while Father Christmas is often said to reside in the mountains of Korvatunturi in Lapland Province, Finland. Santa Claus lives with his wife Mrs. Claus, a countless number of magical elves, and eight or nine flying reindeer. Another legend, popularized in the song Santa Claus Is coming to town, says that he makes a list of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior("naughty" or "nice") and that he delivers presents, including toys, candy, and other gifts to all of the good boys and girls in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve.