Santa Claus

Other Names: Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, St. Nikolaus, Sinterklaas, Kris Kringle, Weihnachtsmann, Saint Basil, Father Frost, Kerstman, a la Pere Noel, Papai Noel, Winter Grandfather, Julemanden (Denmark), Jõuluvana (Estonia), Joulupukki (Finland), Weihnachtsmann (Germany meaning Christmas man), Mikulás (Hungary meaning Nicolas), Jézuska or Kis Jézus (Hungary meaning child Jesus), Babbo Natale (Italy meaning Father Christmas), La Befana (Italy), Julenissen (Norway), Swiety Mikolaj (Poland), Pai Natal (Porugal meaning Father Christmas), Ded Moroz (Russia meaning Grandfather Frost), Jultomten (Sweden)

The image of Santa was created by Thomas Nast a German-American cartoonist (1840-1902)

The red and white outfit was created by Haddon Sundblom for the Coca-Cola Company

Black Peter or Elves may help Santa

The original Santa was probably a man named Nicolas from Myra in modern day Turkey in 4AD. He wished to give money to the poor but was shy and wanted to be unseen. One day he dropped money down a chimney and it landed in a stocking that had been hung there to dry. He later became Saint Nicholas the patron saint of children.

Later adults dressed as St Nicholas and went from door to door asking in children had been good. Children would clean their shoes and leave them by the door in order for them to be filled with treats.

Finnish people believe Santa lives in a part of their country called Korvatunturi

Father Christmas originated in Anglo Saxon times and was a mixture of St Nicolas and the Gods Odin, Thor and Saturn as Earth based gods. He dressed in holly and ivy and brought gifts to the good children and threatened those who had not been good.

His reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Donder, Blitzen, Cupid and Comet

If Santa travels east to west he would have 31 hours in which to complete his journey due to different time zones and the earth's rotation