"He's become a ubiquitous figure during the Christmas season with his white beard, red suit and prominent belly, but just how much do those celebrating the happy holiday really know about Santa Claus? Here is the whole story from the beginning from, the pre-Santas like Sinterklaas and Father Christmas to the modern version of St. Nicholas we all know and love. This publication celebrates all things Santa ranging from the much loved poem “The Night Before Christmas” to the songs, movies, images and stories that are loved by both young and old. Along the way, we’ll explore the favorite stories that have sprung up around him, including Santa’s elves, his workshop, Santa’s beloved reindeer and the legend of Mrs. Claus. We even teach readers the secret to how Santa has time to visit every house around the world in one night (a mathematician explains how it’s physically possible). **BONUS: Plus, see pictures of the North Pole abode where she and her husband make their home (for real!).**"
Santa Claus™ • the STORY behind the LEGEND
THE MAGIC OF SANTA CLAUS
ALL ABOUT SANTA • SANTA CLAUS MAY SEEM LIKE A TIMELESS FIGURE, BUT HIS LEGEND HAS EVOLVED OVER THE MILLENNIA FROM A BELOVED ST. NICHOLAS TO THE CHERISHED JOLLY, PLUMP BOWL-FULL-OF JELLY-BELLY GUY WE LOVE TODAY.
MEET MRS. CLAUS • SANTA’S WIFE ENTERS THE LEGEND.
SANTA’S HELPERS • THE ELVES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE CHRISTMAS STORY.
HOW SANTA GOT HIS REINDEER • AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE ARCTIC SLEIGH-PULLERS.
MYSTERY SOLVED • HOW DOES SANTA GET TO EVERYONE’S HOUSE TO DELIVER PRESENTS IN JUST ONE NIGHT? A COMBINATION OF SMART PLANNING, QUANTUM PHYSICS AND MAGIC!
WHY DOES SANTA DODGE THE FRONT DOOR? • THE HOLLY JOLLY HISTORY OF YOUR FAVORITE CLAUS-IAN CUSTOMS.
THE CHRONICLES OF KRIS KRINGLE • FOR CENTURIES, CREATIVE TELLINGS OF FATHER CHRISTMAS HAVE LEAPT OFF THE PAGE AND INTO OUR HEARTS.
AT HOME WITH SANTA • WE INVITE JOLLY OLD ST. NICK INTO OUR LIVING ROOMS EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE. NOW IT’S TIME TO SEE WHERE HE AND MRS. CLAUS (AND THE ELVES) CALL HOME SWEET HOME.
CHRISTMAS A TO Z • SO MANY TRADITIONS, SHOWS, SONGS, TREATS AND DECORATIONS HELP MAKE THE SEASON MAGICAL. HERE ARE A FEW FAVORITES.
THE BEST (AND WORST!) CELLULOID SANTAS • FROM CHARMING AND CHERUBIC TO CAREER CRIMINALS, NOT ALL CINEMA SANTAS FIND THEMSELVES ON THE NICE LIST COME DECEMBER 25. HERE, OUR LIST OF THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE PORTRAYALS OF ST. NICHOLAS TO HIT THE BIG SCREEN.
PICTURE PERFECT • ILLUSTRATORS AND PAINTERS THROUGHOUT THE DECADES HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN SHAPING THE BIG GUY’S IMAGE.
THE BEST OF SANTA ON THE SMALL SCREEN • FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY, FAMILIES HAVE GATHERED AROUND THE TELEVISION DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON TO WATCH THESE CLASSIC CHRISTMAS SPECIALS TOGETHER.
EVERYONE WANTS TO BE HIM • IF IMITATION IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY, SANTA CLAUS MUST BE THE MOST ADULATED OF ALL!
HOW SANTA WENT FROM LEGEND TO LEGENDARY PITCHMAN • EVERYBODY LOVES HIM AND HIS ONLY VICE IS COOKIES—SO IT’S NO WONDER SANTA CLAUS HAS APPEARED IN HUNDREDS OF ADS FOR EVERYTHING FROM CANDY TO CIGARETTES (HE PROBABLY REGRETS THOSE) TO PLAY-DOH AND IPHONES OVER THE PAST 150 YEARS.
SANTA SCHOOL BECOMING MR. CLAUS • ST. NICK DOESN’T ALLOW JUST ANYONE TO FILL IN FOR HIM AT THE MALL—EXTENSIVE TRAINING IS REQUIRED.
SING A SONG OF SANTA • CHRISTMAS MUSIC HAS PROVEN TO BE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
Toys for Girls & Boys • THE GIFTS CHILDREN EVERYWHERE HOPED TO FIND UNDER THEIR CHRISTMAS TREES OVER THE PAST 13 DECADES.
GOING GLOBAL • WHETHER YOU CALL HIM PAPAI NOEL OR BABBO NATALE—OR EVEN IF YOU ARE VISITED BY A MONK INSTEAD OF SANTA, THE MESSAGE IS THE SAME: REMEMBER TO BE GOOD!
COOKIES...
