| Santa Clause comes to us with several | | | | America cookies and a glass of milk, in |
| names. For some he is know as Saint | | | | England he receives mince pies and |
| Nicholas, and for others Father | | | | sherry. No wonder then that he is |
| Christmas or quite simply Santa. While | | | | perceived as a happy pot bellied |
| people interchange Santa and Father | | | | character!How then did St. Nicholas make |
| Christmas from an historical perspective | | | | the transformation from a bishop to a |
| they are two different persons.It was | | | | jolly old man with red cheeks. The |
| Saint Nicholas of Myra, who lived in the | | | | transformation did not happen all at |
| 4th century in what is now modern day | | | | once but over a period of time and goes |
| Turkey, who gave birth to the modern day | | | | back before the American revolution to |
| Santa Clause. As bishop he developed a | | | | the time when the Dutch controlled what |
| reputation for secret gift giving.In the | | | | is now New York. When the Dutch arrived |
| Western tradition the day of gift giving | | | | in America they took with them the |
| is on the 25th December while in the | | | | legend of Saint Nicholas, at this stage |
| Eastern tradition the day for gift | | | | he still dressed as a bishop.In |
| giving is New Years Day.Most of us see | | | | Washington Irving's History of New York, |
| Santa as a friendly, pot bellied sort of | | | | Sinterklaas was Americanised to "Santa |
| character who rides from house to house, | | | | Claus" but lost his bishop's apparel, |
| through the sky, on a sleigh pulled by | | | | and was at first pictured as a thick |
| reindeer. It is possible that the | | | | bellied Dutch sailor with a pipe in a |
| tradition of ridding through the sky | | | | green winter coat. Irving's book was a |
| comes from a Germanic tradition where | | | | lampoon of the Dutch culture of New |
| the god Wodam is seen riding a flying | | | | York, and much of this portrait is his |
| horse through the sky. The horse has | | | | joking invention.Santa Clauses robes |
| eight legs, the same number of reindeer | | | | changed over the years until in 1885 the |
| that Santa uses!While Santa is portrayed | | | | modern costume was born. At around this |
| as a jolly man giving out present to | | | | time his horse was converted to reindeer |
| deserving children he is also used to | | | | and a sleigh, his slaves into elves and |
| keep children in check. Traditionally | | | | the date was moved forward to coincide |
| Irish children, and a large number of | | | | with Christmas.For those interested |
| their European and American | | | | Santa's eight reindeers were given |
| counterparts, hang up a stocking for | | | | their name in the popular poem by |
| their gifts but are told that if they | | | | Clement Clarke Moore 'the Night Before |
| are not good all year round, they will | | | | Christmas.'Kevin Hart |
| receive a lump of coal instead of a | | | | - the family site for Christmas. - |
| decent present.In most traditions food | | | | an invaluable resource for creative |
| or drink are left out for him to help | | | | writers. Large data bank of writing |
| him on his journey. In Ireland it is | | | | contests. |
| traditionally a bottle of Guinness, in | | | | |