What does the old idea of Santa Clause mean? I know that the christmas tree has an origin in the holiday of Christmas, but where and WHY did Santa Come in the picture?
2007-09-28 05:58:46 · 3 answers · asked by Hopeless Romantic 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Santa Claus originated as Sinterclaus, or Saint Nicholas. He was originally a pious figure who taught the kids that they need to be good and that it is good to give. The modern image of a fat, jolly Santa who gives kids toys, usually without moral lessons attached, evolved over the years. The first image of Santa as we know him was created by cartoonist Thomas Nast. Coca-Cola furthered the Santa image.
2007-09-28 06:13:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There was man named Nicholas who went around on Christmas (I forget in which part of the world) and left little gifts for the children of the village.
He was later called Saint Nicholas by some because he was so giving.
Over time, he developed into Santa Claus!
2007-09-28 21:04:56 · answer #2 · answered by Rebecca C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saint Nicholas was a real person who lived about the 13th century. Because back then legend of him was spread by word of mouth, no one knows for certain where he lived - I've heard Scandanavia, Turkey, Albania, Germany, etc.
He was a kind and wealthy old man who, on Christmas eve, would put treats and goodies in the poor village children's stockings or by throwing them through the window.
His altruisitic generosity became legendary and long after he died, people would honor his kindness by pretending his spirit would come and give gifts to children in the night.
Our current version of him came from an 18th-century poem that a Christian pastor wrote on a whim, and he was since commericalized.
But he was real once.
2007-09-28 13:15:27 · answer #3 · answered by KC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋