On Christmas Eve, millions of children around the world are nestled in their beds while visions of Santa Claus dance in their heads.
But how did the jolly old elf become part of the holiday tradition?
While historians disagree on the particulars, most believe the familiar image of Santa as a fat, jolly gift-giver with a white beard, dressed in a red suit and driving a sleigh full of toys is an invention of 19th-century literary artists, but one which has ancient European roots.
Original Article: St. Nick to Santa: A jolly tale - News - Standard Speaker