Santa Clause

Santa Clause, also known as Father Christmas, Jolly old Saint Nick and a multitude of other names, is a mystical figure of good will and cheer associated with the festive season. An unusual addition to World of Kitsch in that no one is entirely sure whether he is living or dead, the scrooges at World of Kitsch have cast their cynical eyes over the evidence and it doesn't look altogether promising as to the existence of Father Christmas. However, below is a brief history as to the origin of this urban legend. You can of course make up your own mind...

Around AD 280, the monk Saint Nicholas was born in the area that is now modern day Turkey. Nicholas was a kind man who donated much of his wealth to the poor and needy of the area. Over many years, Saint Nicholas's fame spread and became know as the "protector of sailors and children". His death occurred approximately 60 years later on December 6 - a day which soon became synonymous with good fortune.

Saint Nicholas soon became the most popular saint in Europe, particularly in Holland, where he became known as Sinter Klaas, an abbreviation of Sint Nikolaas.

Sinter Klaas, entered popular US culture in 1773 after reports of the Dutch honoring the life of Sint Nikolaas. In 1809, Sinter Klaas became a familiar image as he was promoted to the patron Saint of New York, in Washington Irving's popular book, "The History of New York", where he was referred to as "Santa Clause"

It was in 1822, that Clement Clarke Moore published his poem in which he described Santa as a "right old jolly elf" who flew in a "minature sleigh". The first modern images of Santa Claus were produced by political cartoonist Thomas Nast in 1881 and it is from this that the image has been developed to include 8 reindeer, a fancy sleigh, elves and even a Mrs Clause!

Contrary to popular belief, it was not the Coca Cola compnay who invented Santa Clause - they merely embelishing his image in the 1930's to boost flagging sales. Films and television have reinforced the image of a jolly man in a red suit giving presents to children - possibly the most recognisable image of the century.

So, we have established that Santa Clause was a real person, albeit in AD 280 but his legend lives on. Does Santa still exist? We'll leave you to make your own mind up!