How Santa Came to Be! by Curtis Woods©

The Story of Santa Clause was told to the children for many generations and many countries lay claim to the Legend of the Man, who, on Christmas Eve, will bring gifts to all good little boys and girls. For hundreds of years Dutch Children would leave their shoes by the hearth on Christmas Eve for St. Nicholas. In America stockings are hung by the fire with care, hoping St Nicholas will fill them with care. In 1822 Dr. Clement Clarke Moore put the story of St Nicholas into verse titled "An account of a visit from St. Nicholas". Moore is also credited with the idea of Santa Claus coming down the chimney. Moore portrayed Santa as an elf. Thomas Nast a newspaper cartoonist, returned Santa to normal height and gave him a big round belly. His Illustrations of Santa, dressed him in a red satin suit trimmed in white ermine. He added a wide black belt, a pointed cap and leather boots. Santa Clause is depicted in literature, songs, and film. The movies of Santa Clause have provided the model for the Santa Clause celebrated around the world today.