In Poland, Santa Claus gives out gifts on December 6.
Santa has different names in countries around the world, including Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Santa Claus, and Sinterklaas.
German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast was the first to paint a definitive portrait of the present day Santa Claus in 1863.
Basil's feast day on the 1th of January is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece.
In the United Kingdom and Europe, Santa is commonly called Father Christmas.
Santa Claus lives with his wife Mrs. Claus, a countless number of magical elves, and 8 or 9 flying reindeer.
A well-known folk legend associated with Santa Claus says that he lives in the far north, in a land of perpetual snow.
St Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Sinterklaas.
The tradition of Santa Claus entering dwellings through the chimney may reach back to the tale of St Nicholas tossing coins through a window, and, in a later version of the tale, tossing coins down a chimney when he finds the window locked.
