Everyone knows the jolly old soul with “a broad face and a little round belly, that shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly” (Moore).  However, the history and origin of Santa Claus dates all the way back to the 17th century. All that we know about the figure Santa comes from a monk named St. Nicholas. The legend of Santa Claus made its way into American culture towards the end of the 18th century. The story was brought to New York from Holland by Dutch settlers. In the Dutch legend, Sinterklaas was Saint Nicholas’s Dutch nickname which is where we derive the name Santa Claus.

          According to the legend, Saint Nicholas was an extremely wealthy man who was very generous with his fortune.He was especially kind and loving towards young children. He would help poo rchildren by throwing gifts in their windows to lift their spirits. This is where we get our modern gift-giving traditions. 

Illustrator Thomas Nast, drew Santa Claus for Harper’s Weekly in 1862 showing him as a small,  elf-like figure who supported the Union. Nast continued to draw Santa for 30 years and along the way changed the color of his coat from tan to red. The Santa we all know came about in 1931 in the form of the famous Coca-Cola Santa Claus. In the soda ads St. Nick was pictured as a kind,jolly man in a red suit.

          A tradition developed that Santa would go to homes the night before Christmas and children would place cookies and milk in their home to welcome him. In other parts of the world kids place different types of food such as apples, nuts, and other treats of the time.Many children wanted to know where Santa Claus lived and how he got all the gifts to the children in one night. A tale began that placed Santa Claus in the North Pole. He also had a sleigh that was pulled by reindeer that help him deliver all of the gifts in one night.

All of these stories  from around the world were put together and became the  Santa we know  today.  He does not have an age and many legends say he will never die. He will continue to deliver gifts to children everywhere.