Grandmother needs help with the question: When was Santa Claus born?

Question

It has been about 10 years or so that I have been asked this question. Now, my grandchildren, ages 6 and 8, are asking. And then when a grown man said he wanted to know when Santa was born. I wanted to laugh my you know what off, but couldn't in front of my grandchildren.
Any help to explain to them would be greatly appreciated.

I read everyone's answers and I'm having trouble choosing the best answer. There are so many best ones, I have to put this into voting.
Thanks everyone!!

Answer 1

St. Nicholas (upon whom the story of Santa Claus is based) was born in 270 CE. See the following links for more information:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_claus

Answer 2

The official "Catholic" answer is 270. Nicholas was a priest in Myra. Later promoted to Bishop (hence the red clothing.) Nicholas had an illustrious career and was allegedly an attendee at the First Nicene Council. The rest is legend that grows by the year.

The commercial answer? 1862 with Thomas Nast's rendition in the Harpers Weekly and again the 1920's when Coca Cola ran loose with the legend in the Saturday Evening Post.

But for grandchildren? 270.

How you explain the reindeer is beyond me... ;)

Answer 3

tell them "He was born a very long time ago when the world was filled sad children that had no toys to play with. Santa felt bad for all of those poor little children with nothing to play with so he wanted to do something. Then Santa when grown up all changed he would go by sled with his trusty reindeers Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph to give presents to all the good boys and girls if they were asleep and in bed. The world then became a happier and joyous place because Santa comes every Christmas to give presents to all of the little boys and girls around the world."

Answer 4

There is really no need to get to complicated with this one. Rent the movie, or buy it, Santa Clause (and part 2) with Tim Allen. They are 6 and 8. Watch it with them, you will have as much fun as they will.

Answer 5

Santa was born in a magical world. In his world giving gifts on special occasion was prohibited. He was very sad. When he come of age, he decided that he would make the happiness of other children. So she decided to leave her mother in the magical world and went on Earth. Before going her mother has given her a deer which possess magical powers. Here started the story of santa claus. Every one remember him as an old man with a fat belly, long white beard and red outfit but there was a time when santa was young. He was in habit of gifting small hand made toy to young villagers. Since then on his reputation has been well known. As he grew older, he prefer to make the delivery of gifts in his sledge.

Answer 6

there is actually a really cool childrens story called like the story of santa clause, or santa clause, or the saunta clause story. i read it when i was in about fourth grade. its a chapter book, so you might want to read it to your grandchildren. you might be able to find it on amazon. its been a long time since i read it so i dont know really anything about it. but it does explain everything about santa clause, like how he was born. how he was raised, and all of that

Answer 7

Evolves from a Man named Sinister Klass A priest that helped the poor.

Answer 8

Since the beginning of time

Answer 9

since the beginning of time

Answer 10

Tell them this *sigh* santa's not real. he's something your parents made up to make you behave and to blackmail you by saying," If ur not good i'll tell santa..." and to threaten you to be good. its the nice way of saying if you're not good, I will buy myself a new car instead of buying you presents.