Many children all over the world anticipate Santa Claus’s arrival on Christmas Eve. Some leave cookies or other treats before going to bed. They’re told they must be sound asleep otherwise Santa won’t come. The next morning, the children wake up to find the cookies gone and presents under the tree. Somehow, Santa knew just what they wanted.

Parents keeping the magic of Santa alive are more likely to rely on the magic of Amazon Prime than on North Pole-manufactured toys delivered by flying sleigh. They sneak the presents into the house and wrap them behind the children’s backs. Elderly couples dress up as Santa and Mrs. Claus to meet with children at malls or Christmas parties, or to ring bells for the Salvation Army.

Where did this tradition of Santa Claus come from? While many other Christmas traditions have pagan origins, Santa Claus is of Christian origin.[i]

St Nicholas

Today, Saint Nicholas and Saint Nick are considered alternative names for Santa Claus. However, the legends of St Nicholas predate those of Santa Claus. A man named Nicholas was a bishop in the 4th century, in Myra (now Demre, Turkey). Scholars believe he lived from 280 to 343 AD. Little historical fact is known about him, but legends abound, including many accounts of him saving children and young people.[ii]

One popular legend is the story of the three maidens. A father was so poor that he had no dowries for his three daughters, so they were unable to marry. The father feared he’d have to sell them into prostitution. Nicholas anonymously delivered bags of gold three times, each serving as a dowry for one of the sisters.[iii]

According to tradition, St Nicholas died on December 6^th; therefore, December 6^th is his feast day. He was a popular saint throughout Europe and was influential in the spread of Christianity.[iv] Greece and Russia claimed him as their patron saint. He was also considered the patron saint of seafarers, children, students, bankers, pawnbrokers, sailors, dock workers, brewers, coopers, tailors, pilgrims, thieves, maidens, orphans, and unsuccessful litigants.[v

St Nicholas had different assistants in different countries. For the most part, these were demons St Nicholas had captured and forced to work with him. In the Netherlands, this was known as Black Peter (Zwarte Piet).[vii] In Czechoslovakia, his assistant was Cert.[viii] In Germany, Knecht Ruprecht, meaning “Knight Servant,” assists St Nicholas. This helper is known as Krampus or Bartel in Austria. Other names include Han Muff, Butz, Hans Trapp, Brampus, Blaubauf, Bullerklas, Pulterklas, Schimmelreiter, and Pelz Nicholas. The latter was Anglicized to Belsnickel upon its introduction to America.[ix]  All of these helpers carry gifts for the good children, and rods for naughty children. Some are allowed to put very naughty children in their sacks and carry them away.

Other gift bringers

St Nicholas was not the only one delivering gifts during the Christmas season in Europe. The originals were the wise men mentioned in the bible, in Matthew Chapter 2.[x]

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

And [Herod] sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. [xi]

Note that the Bible account gives little detail about the wise men, or magi. Ancient history scholars have been able to extrapolate additional information about them. They were famous for their knowledge of astronomy, astrology, dream interpretation, philosophy & religious ritual. The magi practiced an ancient religion that believed a savior would be born to a virgin mother.[xii]

Like St Nicholas, many legends of the wise men have sprung up over the centuries. Eastern Christian traditions speculate that there were 12, whereas Western Christian traditions speculate that there were three, based on the three gifts. Further traditions have made them kings and assigned them ethnicities, ages, and names. The most common names from tradition are Balthazar, Caspar (Gaspar), and Melchior.[xiii]

The wise men are influential in the legends of Babushka and Befana, the female gift-bringers from Russia and Italy, respectively. They have similar stories, each with variations. Both begin as lonely old ladies. In one version, the wise men came seeking directions to Bethlehem to find the Christ child. In another, the wise men invited her to join them on their journey. In another, the Holy Family asked for directions to Egypt. In all cases, she rejects them or deceives them, and later regrets her actions. Then she gathers trinkets and searches for the Christ child, leaving gifts in every home with children.[xiv]

The wise men, Befana, and Babushka all deliver gifts on Epiphany Eve, January 5^th. This is also known as Three Kings Day in some countries.

In other countries, spirits have evolved from mischievous to benevolent gift-bringers over the centuries. This includes the Grome-like Jultomten of Scandinavia, the leprechaun-like Christmas lads of Iceland, the Frost (later Grandfather Frost) of Russia, and the Elves of the British Isles. People would leave offerings to appease their spirits, hoping to prevent mischief. When Grandfather Frost became the main gift-bringer in Russia, he was accompanied by his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden, and delivered gifts on New Year’s.[xv]

[xvi]

Some figures were impersonations of the Christmas season rather than gift bringers. This includes Father Christmas in England and the Christmas Man (Weihnachtsmann) in Germany.[xvii] Father Christmas is now another nickname for Santa Claus.

The Protestant Reformation brought opposition to the veneration of saints, including St. Nicholas. Protestant church leaders wanted to focus on Christ rather than saints. The Germans, unwilling to abandon their gift-giving tradition, changed their gift-bearer. Instead of St Nicholas bringing gifts on St Nicholas Eve, the Christ Child—Christkindl—brought gifts on Christmas Eve. Families would leave a window open for the Christ child to come through.[xviii] When the Germans brought Christkindl to America, the name was anglicized to Kriss Kringle, which became another nickname for Santa Claus.[xix]

Evolution of Santa

The Dutch name for St Nicholas is Sinterklaas, which was anglicized as Santeclaus, then Santa Claus.[xxi] The New York Historical Society reinstated celebrations of St Nicholas Day to remember their Dutch roots.[xxii] Clement Clarke Moore and Thomas Nast were influential in transforming the Dutch Sinterklaas into the modern Santa Claus.

Clement Clarke Moore recited a poem about St Nick to his children in 1822, and it was anonymously published in newspapers. That poem became popular and was later illustrated in children’s books. Many families have a tradition of reading this poem together during Christmas time. The poem was originally titled “A Visit from St Nicholas” and is now known as “The Night Before Christmas”.[xxiii]

The Night Before Christmas introduced or popularized many now-familiar details about Santa Claus. Although not the first work to portray Santa in a reindeer-pulled sleigh, this was more popular and therefore more influential in spreading that idea. It also named the reindeer. Additionally, Santa is portrayed as a jolly, lovable elf, wearing fur that suggests he comes from a distant northern region.[xxiv]

Thomas Nast was an illustrator for Harper’s Weekly from the 1860s to the 1880s.[xxvi] His 30 years of illustrations defined the appearance of Santa Claus, which had previously been contested. He enlarged Santa to Human size, when Moore had described him as a small elf. He portrayed Santa as looking kind, gentle, and jolly, whereas St Nicholas of old had looked stern. The details he added to Santa included ledgers of the naughty and nice lists, Santa’s workshop, cookies being left for Santa, elves as Santa’s helpers, and his home in the North Pole.[xxvii]  

Santa Claus has been portrayed in many Christmas movies over the decades. These continue to enhance the lore around Santa Claus, which was introduced in the 19^th century by Clement Clarke Moore and Thomas Nast.

My siblings and I have dared to make up our own Santa lore. The craziest idea I remember is that of him spying on people through ceiling fans. Alas, many of my friends have agreed that Santa would have to be a spy or a stalker to know who’s naughty and nice. After reading all the lore about Santa Claus and his predecessors, I have come to believe that he’s as real as any fictional character. As a budding fiction writer, I would argue that fictional characters are real. The characters I create are real in my imagination. The characters I read (if they’re written well) become real in my imagination. Santa Claus is real in this same way—in the imaginations of those who love Christmas.

Merry Christmas from Price Genealogy!

Katie

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Photos:

1. Unsplash, with permission published on January 27, 2023, (https://unsplash.com/photos/a-man-dressed-as-santa-claus-sitting-in-a-chair-V4lM6DxG99g).
2. Unsplash, with permission published Septermber 29, 2025, (https://unsplash.com/photos/stone-relief-of-mary-holding-baby-jesus-with-two-kings-thkAeaE3zRc).
3. Unsplash, with permission, published on December 23, 2015, (https://unsplash.com/photos/silhouette-of-people-riding-on-camels-NhlKx6Uvm3E).
4. Unsplash, with permission, published December 11, 2021, (https://unsplash.com/photos/a-santa-clause-figurine-sitting-on-top-of-a-pile-of-presents-jhi93b50zZQ).
5. Unsplash, with permission, published December 8, 2020, (https://unsplash.com/photos/red-and-brown-ceramic-figurine-XMZopxzy4vI).

[i] Collins, A. (2003). Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas (pp. 159–172) Zondervan.

[ii] Bruce David Forbes. (2008). Christmas : a candid history. University Of California Press, Chapter 4;

Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entry for St Nicholas.

[iii] Ibid.

[iv] “‘Saint Nicholas’ – wooden statue by Iacopo della Quercia (Siena about 1374-Siena 1438) – ‘Museo dell’Opera del Duomo’ at Siena” by Carlo Raso is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

[v] Bruce David Forbes. (2008). Christmas : a candid history. University Of California Press, Chapter 4; Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entry for St Nicholas; Sampsom, W. (1968). A Book of Christmas (p. 100-103) McGraw-Hill Book Company; Collins, A. (2003). Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas (pp. 159–172) Zondervan.

[vi] Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entry for St Nicholas day.

[vii] Bruce David Forbes. (2008). Christmas : a candid history. University Of California Press, Chapter 4.

[viii] Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entry for Cert.

[ix] Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entry for Knecht Ruprecht.

[x] “The Three Wise Men” by schneeludwig is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

[xi] Matthew 2:1-3,8,11; KJV.

[xii] Sampsom, W. (1968). A Book of Christmas (p. 114-115) McGraw-Hill Book Company; Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entry for Magi, wise men, three kings.

[xiii] Ibid.

[xiv] Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entries for Befana and Babuskka.

[xv] Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entries for Christmas Lads, Elves, Jultomten, Grandfather Frost, Snow Maiden.

[xvi] Winter walking the streets as the Christmas man, by Mortiz von Schwind; taken from Sampsom, W. (1968). A Book of Christmas (p. 110) McGraw-Hill Book Company.

[xvii] Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entries for Father Christmas and Christmas Man.

[xviii] Sampsom, W. (1968). A Book of Christmas (p. 103) McGraw-Hill Book Company; Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entry for St Nicholas.

[xix] Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entry for Santa Claus.

[xx] The Christ Child by Thomas Nast, 1889; taken from Sampsom, W. (1968). A Book of Christmas (p. 103) McGraw-Hill Book Company.

[xxi] Bruce David Forbes. (2008). Christmas : a candid history. University Of California Press, Chapter 4.

[xxii] Ibid.

[xxiii] Bruce David Forbes. (2008). Christmas : a candid history. University Of California Press, Chapter 4; Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entries for North Pole and reindeer.

[xxiv] Ibid.

[xxv] An Early pre-Nast version of St Nick (1814) from Clement C. Moore’s A Visit from St Nicholas, taken from Sampsom, W. (1968). A Book of Christmas (p. 100) McGraw-Hill Book Company.

[xxvi] The Coming of Santa Claus, by Thomas Nast, 1889; taken from Sampsom, W. (1968). A Book of Christmas (p. 115) McGraw-Hill Book Company.

[xxvii] Bruce David Forbes. (2008). Christmas : a candid history. University Of California Press, Chapter 4; Gulevich, T. (2000). Encyclopedia of Christmas, entries for Elves, Santa Claus, Children’s Letters and North Pole; Sampsom, W. (1968). A Book of Christmas (p. 107) McGraw-Hill Book Company.