We, as parents, make our children believe in Santa Claus – the famous “HO, HO, HO” fat uncle with a long white beard and a round, fat belly from eating too much cookies and drinking too much milk.
Where does the idea of Santa Claus come from though? Long, long ago in 280 AD in Patara, that is now known as Turkey, St Nicholas was known as the protector of children and sailors, and for his kindness and piety. One well-known tale of St Nicolas was that he saved three girls out of slavery or prostitution. In 1773, St Nicholas made his way to America and was popular at the end of the 18th century.
In 1774, a group of Dutch families gathered to honour the anniversary of his death. The name Santa Claus evolved from Nick’s Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaus, shortened from Saint Nikolaas.
After that, Santa Claus started evolving into what we know him as today. The media didn’t take long to capitalize on the jolly old fellow and the evolution of Santa started!
