More than 100 years ago, the North American Santa was first described by writer Washington Irving.  he said Santa was a chubby old man who rode about in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.  In 1866, a magazine artist drew a picture of a jolly old man in his workshop.  Ever since then, we have imagined the bearded Santa in his red suit.  Over the years, the North American Santa tradition has grown to include Mrs. Claus and Santa's helper elves.

Sheryl's Holiday Site: Merry Christmas  - This site contains Christmas and other December holidays.

Mystical World Wide Web – Christmas Special  - Christmas Origins and Folklore.