We’re all mostly familiar with the classic tale of Santa Claus -the old man in a red and white suit who drops off presents under your Christmas tree. But have you ever thought about how he came to be or why he’s associated with Christmas? 

It actually began centuries ago during the time of a monk named St. Nicholas who was born in 280 AD in modern-day Turkey. During the Renaissance period, he was a very popular European saint known for his acts of giving to the less fortunate. The name Santa Claus came from the shortened version of St. Nicholas’ Dutch name, Sinter Klaas. He started to gain popularity here in America during the 18th century when the Dutch living in New York got together and celebrated St Nicholas’ death during Christmas time. Soon stories about him spread all over the country and many began to participate in gift-giving for Christmas. There were many depictions of what Santa looked like, some thought he was an elf, but a Coca-Cola Christmas commercial shaped and popularized the way we see him today. We now know him as a jolly, happy character who rides a sleigh with his reindeer. He creates unforgettable memories for children. What we can take away from his origins though is the joy of gift-giving and spending time with our loved ones this holiday season. It’s a lovely tradition many get to celebrate each year.