In Western culture, where the holiday is characterised by the exchange of gifts among friends and family members, some of the gifts are attributed to a character called Santa Claus (also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas or St. Nikolaus, Sinterklaas, Joulupukki, Weihnachtsmann, Saint Basil and Father Frost.Santa Claus is a variation of a Dutch folk tale based on the historical figure Saint Nicholas, or Sinterklaas, who gave gifts on the eve of his feast day of December 6.

He became associated with Christmas in 19th century America, and was gradually renamed Santa Claus or Saint Nick.

In 1812, Washington Irving wrote of Saint Nicholas “riding over the tops of the trees, in that selfsame waggon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children”.

The connection between Santa Claus and Christmas was popularised by the 1822 poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” attributed to Clement Clarke Moore, which depicted Santa driving a sleigh pulled by reindeer and distributing gifts to children.

The popular image of Santa Claus was created by the German-American cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902), who drew a new image annually, beginning in 1863.

By the 1880s, Nast’s Santa had evolved into the form we now recognise.

The image was standardised by advertisers in the 1920s.

Father Christmas, who predates the Santa Claus character, was first recorded in the 15th century, but was associated with holiday merrymaking and drunkenness.

In Victorian Britain, his image was remade to match that of Santa.

The French P|0xe8|re No|0xeb|l evolved along similar lines, eventually adopting the Santa image.

In Italy, Babbo Natale acts as Santa Claus, while La Befana, is the bringer of gifts and arrives on the eve of the Epiphany.

It is said that La Befana set out to bring the baby Jesus gifts, but got lost along the way. Now, she brings gifts to all children.

In some cultures Santa Claus is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht, or Black Peter. In other versions, elves make the toys. His wife is referred to as Mrs. Claus.

The current tradition in several Latin American countries (such as Venezuela) holds that while Santa makes the toys, he then gives them to the Baby Jesus, who is the one who actually delivers them to the children’s homes.

This story is meant to be a reconciliation between traditional religious beliefs and modern day globalisation, most notably the iconography of Santa Claus imported from the United States.

In Southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria, S|0xfc|dtirol the Christkind brings the presents. The German St. Nikolaus is not identical with the Weihnachtsman (who is the German version of Santa Claus).

St. Nikolaus wears a bishop’s dress and still brings small gifts (usually candies,nuts and fruits) on December 6 and is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht.

Although many parents around the world routinely teach their children about Santa Claus, some have come to reject this practice, considering it deceptive.