| The idea of Santa Claus and the gift of giving | | | | called Winterman who dressed in furs and skins and |
| associated with him is said to have originated in Asia | | | | these characteristics were also added to the portrayal |
| Minor which is now Turkey with St. Nicholas in 300 A.D. | | | | of St. Nicholas. |
| There really isn't any historical documentation that tells | | | | Over time the European Christians started giving gifts |
| us a lot about him. There are many legends that | | | | to needy children on the anniversary of St. Nicholas's |
| surround him. It is said that he was a wealthy man | | | | death calling it Saints Feast Day. The Dutch nickname |
| whose parents died and left him a fortune which he | | | | used for Saint Nicholas was "Sinter Klaas" which stood |
| gave away to the poor and needy. Legends say that | | | | for Sint Nikolaas. Children speaking English pronounced |
| he often went out at night disguised in a hooded cloak, | | | | this name as "Sainty Claus" and eventually it changed |
| to leave gifts of money, clothing or food. | | | | to Santa Claus. |
| He was very religious and became a monk and | | | | Washington Irving, an American writer, described Santa |
| eventually became bishop of the city of Myra. A well | | | | as a jolly Dutchman who wore baggy pants and rode |
| known St. Nicholas story is that he saved three poor | | | | over the treetops in a horse drawn wagon, smoking a |
| sisters from being sold into slavery and prostitution by | | | | pipe, dropping gifts down chimneys. The first truly |
| their father by providing them a dowry so they could | | | | American version of Santa Claus emerged in the |
| be married. Eventually, as his popularity grew along | | | | famous poem "The Night Before Christmas" which |
| with the legends, he became known as the protector | | | | was written by Clement C. Moore in 1821. This poem |
| of children and sailors. He earned sainthood status and | | | | was originally called "A Visit from St. Nicholas". Moore |
| had a basilica built over his tomb. | | | | described Santa Claus as the "jolly old elf, dressed all |
| St. Nicholas isn't the only early tradition tying winter | | | | in fur with a round belly" and mentions eight reindeer |
| holidays with giving that eventually evolved into Santa | | | | for the first time as well as their names. |
| Claus. The Saxons in Britain around 600 A.D. dressed | | | | The image of Santa Claus and the myths surrounding |
| an actor in a pointed cap, cloak and ivy and called him | | | | him continued to evolve over time to the modern day |
| King Frost. They then extended kindness and | | | | characterization we all know as jolly old St. Nicholas |
| gentleness to him in hopes that the approaching winter | | | | who arrives on his sleigh, with Rudolph the Reindeer |
| would be kind and gentle to them. Around 800 A.D. the | | | | leading the way on Christmas Eve delivering gifts |
| Vikings believed that their main god, Odin, dressed up | | | | down chimneys for the delight of children everywhere. |
| as a sage with a long white beard in December and | | | | Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths, Christmas |
| visited earth to distribute gifts to the needy. The Viking | | | | ornaments, nativity scenes, stockings, cookies and |
| followers of Odin changed the portrayal of Saint | | | | Santa Claus and his elves make the holidays special |
| Nicholas from having a short, dark beard to a long | | | | for everyone. |
| white beard. The Germans had a character they | | | | |