What is the difference between Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas?

Everybody loves Santa Claus. He embodies holiday cheer, happiness, fun, and gifts—warm happy aspects of the Christmas season. How do Santa Claus and St. Nicholas differ? Santa Claus belongs to childhood; St. Nicholas models for all of life. read more

Santa Claus is a fictional character that is based largely on the stories of Saint Nicholas. Over time, stories of the real St. Nicholas and the fictional Santa Claus merged to create folk stories where the two are one and the same. read more

However while Nicholas is revered as a Saint of the Catholic Church and an embodiment of generosity, Santa Claus was and remains at the core of his design a marketing tool and example of Holiday gift giving and merriment. read more

Santa Claus belongs to childhood; St. Nicholas models for all of life. Santa Claus, as we know him, developed to boost Christmas sales—the commercial Christmas message; St. Nicholas told the story of Christ and peace, goodwill toward all—the hope-filled Christmas message. Santa Claus encourages consumption; St. Nicholas encourages compassion. read more