Grayson Enterprises Ltd.					One time rights									 

 

 

 

 

	SANTA CLAUS COLLECTIBLES 

 

	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 Scandinavian countries, the pagan god Thor roared through the sky battling ice and snow. In Protestant Germany the Christ Child, Krist Kindl, (later our Kris Kringle), brought gifts on Christmas Eve.