The man we know as Santa Claus has a whole history of his own, starting with St. Nicholas.

St. Nicholas was born in 280 AD in Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was known for his kindness and caring for other people. Stories of how he was such a kind soul would spread around the town.

According to  History.com, one famous story includes Nicholas saving three poor sisters from being sold into slavery and prostitution. Nicholas’ popularity spread and he became known as the protector of children and sailors. St. Nicholas’s feast day is celebrated on December 6, which was the day he died.

St. Nicholas made his first appearance into American culture towards the end of the 18th century. History.com goes on to say, “Clement Clarke Moore, an Episcopal minister, wrote a long Christmas poem for his three daughters entitled ‘An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas.’”

Because of Moore’s poem, Moore is the real reason of Santa Claus’ image. Santa is known for riding a sleigh with eight or nine reindeer, climbing down chimneys, and putting presents under Christmas trees, all from Moore’s poem, which shaped the interpretation of  modern day Santa.

In 1939, Robert L. May wrote a Christmas-themed story-poem. Using a similar rhyme pattern to Moore’s, he wrote “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” which told the story of how Rudolph with the red nose came to be as the main reindeer in present day.

The notion of Santa Claus also inspired other similar figures such as Christkind or Kris Kringle, which spread throughout the globe. However, there are different popular names for Santa in different countries. In Scandinavia, a jolly elf named Jultomten was thought to deliver gifts in a sleigh drawn by goats. But in Italy, a woman called La Befana, a kind witch who rides a broomstick down the chimneys of Italian homes, delivers toys into the stockings of lucky children.

In stories, movies, and songs, it all says how Santa Claus wants kids to be good for Christmas. This is how Santa was known for gift-giving. Kids would get presents if they were nice because St. Nicholas rewarded the good kids with something special, which is why people think it’s rewarding to be on the nice list of Santa Claus.

The thought of Santa Claus has been in little kids’ minds every Christmas Eve. As kids get older, the thought of Santa Claus is still in their hearts to spread Christmas cheer.