Christmas is all about bringing joy to children and the young at heart alike and the father figure of the tradition is Saint Nick himself.
But remarkably little is, in truth, known by some about the origins of Santa Claus.
So, as the most magical time of the year approaches, Newsweek presents some of the most fantastic Santa facts, from his apparent age to his claimed birth town.
How Old Is Santa?
Laura Steele, of education resource experts PlanBee, told Newsweek: "His BMI score might be a cause for concern, but he seems affable and the kids love him.
The center for all things Christmas EmailSanta.com claims to have calculated the age of Saint Nick.
The site reads: "So just how old is Santa Claus right now, in 2021, anyway? The answer might surprise you! (I hope you're sitting down.)
"The quick answer is that Santa Claus is 1,751 years old (but that is a young age for an elf! Even for a grumpy old elf like me!)"
What Is The Story Behind Santa?
The Elf added by explaining Santa Claus' origins can be traced right back to the monk Saint Nicholas, who was born between 260 and 280AD in the village Patara, now in modern-day Turkey.
The author said: "As he grew older, he became very well-known for helping others. Perhaps it was his generosity or kind heart that turned him into Saint Nick on December 6th, 343 AD.
"Because he looked old when he became Saint Nicholas, he never changed again."
He is reputed to have helped a poor family by secretly dropping a bag of gold down the chimney for them to find. It landed in a stocking that had been hung to dry by the fire!
By the 12th century, the legend of St Nicholas was well-known across Europe. The tradition of giving children gifts on the evening of 5th December (the day before St Nicholas' Day) became popular.
Steele added there are compelling claims to suggest Santa Claus is the same as our modern-day idea of Father Christmas.
She said: "In the Netherlands, markets selling toys and treats became popular, and people dressed up in red bishop's costumes to impersonate St Nicholas (in Dutch his name was 'Sint Nikolaas', which evolved into the nickname 'Sinterklaas'.)
"It was said that Sinterklaas could pass through locked doors or climb down chimneys to leave presents in shoes and stockings."
The idea of Sinterklaas arrived in the U.S. via the Dutch in the 17th century, where his name was changed to Santa Claus and his story was quickly assimilated into the culture.
Laura Steele added: "By the 19th century, he had become the figure that we are familiar with today, thanks to an illustrated poem in 1821 that described Santa's red coat, reindeer and sleigh, and changed the evening of gift-giving from the 5th to the 24th December.
"Two years later in 1823, Clement Clark Moore wrote the now-famous poem that we know as 'Twas the Night before Christmas', in which the idea of Santa Claus as a jolly old man (rather than a bishop) was cemented."
Consequently, by the 1880s, Santa Claus and Father Christmas had all but merged into the much-loved modern-day festive figure recognized the world over.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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