Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and the Grinch are all beloved figures during Christmas.

However, none represent the holiday quite like the cheerful man in red.

Whether you know him as Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, this iconic character is famed for delivering gifts to well-behaved children on Christmas Eve, making his rounds in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.

So, how did Santa become the emblem of Christmas? Let’s delve into the history of ol’ Saint Nick.

Santa’s Age

According to the History Channel, the origins of Santa Claus trace back to around 280 A.D. with the birth of St. Nicholas. This means Santa is around 1,744 years old today.

St. Nicholas, a monk recognized for his generosity and devotion, eventually became renowned as “the guardian of children and sailors.” His feast day on December 6 marks his anniversary and was historically viewed as a fortunate day for making significant purchases and tying the knot, as noted by the History Channel.

There are legends that tell of St. Nicholas appearing in a red bishop’s robe on his feast day, bringing sweets and gifts to good children while delivering coal and potatoes to the naughty ones, as reported by Britannica.

While certain cultures still honor St. Nicholas Day and its customs, the image of Santa Claus is predominantly linked to Christmas celebrations.

The Origin of Santa’s Name

St. Nicholas remained a cherished figure in Europe, especially in the Netherlands. The name “Santa Claus” comes from the Dutch version of his name, “Sint Nikolaas,” or shortened to “Sinter Klaas.”

Dutch settlers introduced the saint to the American populace in the late 1700s. Families in New York reportedly celebrated his feast day in December of 1773 and 1774, as reported by the History Channel.

John Pintard, involved with the New York Historical Society, played a key role in shaping modern images of Santa Claus by sharing woodcuts of St. Nicholas during the society’s 1804 meeting. These illustrations depicted stockings brimming with toys and fruits, hanging above a fireplace — a visual we still associate with Santa today.

The stories of Sinter Klaas gained popularity in 1809 through Washington Irving’s book, “The History of New York,” where he referred to Claus as “the patron saint of New York,” according to the History Channel.

The poem from 1822, “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas,” often known as “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas,” contributed to the notion of Santa as a “merry old elf” who travels in a sleigh to give presents to well-behaved children.

By 1881, cartoonist Thomas Nast depicted Santa as a large man with a white beard, dressed in a red suit and carrying a sack filled with toys, solidifying his modern image.