History of Santa Claus dates back to third century

Known also as Saint Nicholas or Kris Kringle, Santa Claus' history dates back to the third century, according to www.history.com.

The legend begins around 280 B.C. in what is now the country of Turkey. There was a monk named St. Nicholas who was considered pious, generous and kind. It was said he traveled around helping those in need and ill. His popularity spread throughout Europe over the years. The anniversary of his death on Dec. 6 was celebrated as a feast day.

St. Nick made his way to America in the late 1700s when there were reports in a newspaper in New York about Dutch families celebrating his feast day. His Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, evolved into Santa Claus.

History.com said, “In 1804 John Pintard, a member of the New York Historical Society, distributed woodcuts of St. Nicholas at the society’s annual meeting. The background of the engraving contains now-familiar Santa images including stockings filled with toys and fruit hung over a fireplace.”

Gift giving, initially centered mostly around children, gained popularity from 1820-40. Images of Santa began appearing in holiday advertisements for Christmas shopping. A Philadelphia shop displayed a life-sized model of Santa Claus in 1841, which led to having “real” Santas in department stores.

“In the early 1890s, The Salvation Army needed money to pay for the free Christmas meals they provided to needy families,” History.com said. “They began dressing up unemployed men in Santa Claus suits and sending them into the streets of New York to solicit donations. Those familiar Salvation Army Santas have been ringing bells on the street corners of American cities ever since.”