Santa Claus
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Santa Claus is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve. Christmas elves are said to make the
1881 illustration by Thomas Nast
A 13th-century depiction of Saint Nicholas from Saint Catherine's Monastery, Sinai
The Ghost of Christmas Present as illustrated by John Leech for Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol (1843)
An 1886 depiction of the long-bearded Norse god Odin by Georg von Rosen
Santa Claus's reindeer
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In traditional Western festive legend and popular culture, Santa Claus's reindeer are said to pull a sleigh through the night sky to help Santa Claus deliver gifts to children during the night between
A parade float with a model of Santa's reindeer and sleigh in the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, 2009
Illustration to the first verse of "Old Santeclaus with Much Delight", 1821
The eight reindeer, as they appeared in a handwritten manuscript of A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement C. Moore from the 1860s