Where does the story of Santa Claus originate from?
The story’s roots begin in Northern Europe where the Feast of St. Nicholas was celebrated on the 6th of December. St. Nicholas was an actual person who lived in Asia Minor during the fourth century. He was famous for furnishing the doweries of three Italian ladies. The symbol of three coins was later used by bankers and pawnbrokers. Northern Europeans adopted the gift giving idea for children using Saint Nicholas as the bearer of gifts. In the New World, the Dutch brought the Feast of St. Nicholas to New Amsterdam (New York)and celebrated the saint and changed his appearance to chubby red robed white bearded jolly gift giver. Dr. Clement C. Moore later would write the poem, “A visit from St. Nicholas” The first appearance of St. Nick as Santa Claus with reindeer was during the Civil War by cartoonist Thomas Nast, a German Immigrant to US. Answer originally posted in response to Where does the story of Santa Claus originate from?
