}`DRAFT} Grayson Enterprises Ltd. ΄”   „   „œ   „    „€  One time rights „„   „   „Œ   „   „”   „   „œ   „    „€        jj! SANTA CLAUS COLLECTIBLES   ΚΚ! Written and photographed by June Grayson    „„  Yes, Virginia, not only is there a Santa, but there are   thousands and thousands and thousands of Santas. And in line   with the dictum that too many are not enough, each Christmas   season brings more versions of that jolly old elf in his red   velvet suit for eager collectors. Santa arrangements spread   holiday cheer throughout the house, arranged on tables, mantels,   everywhere.  „„  The present-day American Santa Claus evolved from 1700 years   of history and legends. Pagan cultures had holidays on which   gifts were exchanged. Later, St. Nicholas of Myra in Asia Minor,   a 4th Century Catholic Biship, became known as a miracle worker   and the patron saint of children. The day of his death, December   6th, was celebrated as St.Nicholas Day and children received   gifts during the night by an old man with a long white beard.  „„  As the custom spread to other countries, the legend was   changed to reflect the local customs and language. In the Scan  dinavian countries, the pagan god Thor roared through the sky  π73 Š battling ice and snow. In Protestant Germany the Christ Child,   Krist Kindl, (later our Kris Kringle), brought gifts on Christ  mas Eve.