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  1. Santa Claus - Wikipedia

    • Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, or Santa) 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. He is said to accomplish this with the aid of Christmas elves, who make the toys in his workshop, and with the aid … See more

    Predecessor figures

    Saint Nicholas was a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop of Myra (now Demre) in the region of Lycia in the
    In … See more

    History

    Early representations of the gift-giver from Church history and folklore, especially St Nicholas, merged with the English character Father Christmas to create the mythical character known to the rest of the English-sp… See more

    Portrayed byLeedham Bantock (1912) · Edmund Gwenn (1947) · Ed Asner (1986–2014) · Tim Allen (1994–2023) · Richard Attenborough (1994) · Paul Giamatti (2007) · Kurt Russell (2018–2020) · J. K. Simmons (2024) · among others
    AssociatesElves · Reindeer
    AliasesSaint Nicholas · Saint Nick · Father Christmas · Kris Kringle
    Who is Santa Claus?
    Who is Santa Claus?
    How Santa Claus Became a Legend
    How Santa Claus Became a Legend
    In popular culture

    Elves had been portrayed as using assembly lines to produce toys early in the 20th century. That shift was reflected in the modern depiction of Santa's residence—now often humorously portrayed a… See more

    Traditions and rituals

    The tradition of Santa Claus being said to enter dwellings through the chimney is shared by many European seasonal gift-givers.
    In the United States and Canada, children may leave … See more

    Criticism

    Santa Claus has partial Christian roots in Saint Nicholas, particularly in the high church denominations that practice the veneration of him and other saints. Various Christian denominations have differing opinions S… See more

    See also

    Christianity portal
    Holidays portal
    Mythology portal
    Amu Nowruz — "Uncle New Year"; Iranian gift-bringin… See more

    Further reading

    • Joffe-Walt, Chana (19 December 2012). "Without Magic, Santa Would Need 12 Million Employees". All Things Considered. NPR. Retrieved 20 December 2012. See more

     
  1. Santa Claus - Simple English Wikipedia, the free …

    Learn about Santa Claus, a magical being from legends and folklore who brings presents to children on Christmas Eve. Find out his origin, home, reindeer, elves, and how he is tracked by various organizations and websites.

  2. Who is Santa Claus & Where did He Come From?

    More than 200 years since his public debut, Santa Claus has graced screens big and small, starring in movies, advertisements and Christmas specials. Enduring and beloved, Santa remains the embodiment of kindness, gifting joy and …

  3. Santa Claus: Real Origins & Legend - HISTORY

  4. Where Did Santa Claus Originate From? The History of Santa Claus ...

  5. Father Christmas - Wikipedia

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  7. Santa Claus | History, Legend, & Facts | Britannica

    4 days ago · 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 …

  8. What are the origins of Santa Claus? - The Conversation

    Dec 21, 2023 · Through centuries of transformation, the core values of St Nicholas – generosity, compassion, and the joy of giving – have remained intact in the figure of Santa Claus.

  9. The History of How St. Nicholas Became Santa Claus

    Dec 25, 2018 · Learn how St. Nicholas, a fourth-century Greek bishop, became the jolly, red-suited Santa Claus of modern culture. Explore the myths, legends, and traditions that shaped his transformation across time and space.

  10. Was Santa Claus a Real Person? | Britannica