SOME FACTS ABOUT SANTA CLAUS

• 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.