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Santa Claus
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There is a Christmas gift giver figure in more than forty different countries. In South Africa and Holland, it's Sinter Klaas who brings gifts. In Brazil, it's Papi Noel. In Italy, it's Baboo Natale. In the UK, Canada, Japan and America, it's Santa Claus. In an early description by Clement Clarke Moore, Santa Claus "was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. His eyes, how they twinkled; his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf."
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The American version of Santa Claus is most closely associated with the Dutch Sinter Klaas and arrived in the new world around 1773. In 1809, Washington Irving (writing under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker) described Santa arriving on horseback on Christmas Eve. In 1823, Clement Clarke Moore wrote "A Visit From St. Nicholas" (also commonly referred to as "The Night Before Christmas"), which detailed the physical description of Santa, as well as information about his workshop, traveling by reindeer and the delivery of Christmas gifts. Thomas Nast published pictures of Santa in Harper's Magazine from the 1860s to 1880s, which further cemented the imagery in children's minds.
Santa Claus has taken some harsh criticism over the years. While it was meant to be a celebratory figure of kindness and good cheer, not everyone approves. Some Christians say the pagan symbol takes away from the religious sentiment during the Christmas season. Some psychologists add that perpetuating this "Santa lie" can be damaging to children when they learn of the truth around age 8 and suddenly realize their parents have lied to them. Yet a third group opposes the Santa symbol because they say it personifies the rampant consumerism and commercialism they equally despise. Despite the critics, Santa continues to be one of the most widely celebrated cultural myths world-wide.
Are you looking for Santa Claus art and craft projects to make with the kids or to give as Christmas gifts? There are many great Christmas craft projects at www.christmascraftfreebies.com/santaclaus.html, including Santa quilts, Santa door hangers, Santa ornaments, Santa clay pots, Santa wreaths and Santa stockings. There are also directions for making a professional-looking Santa ornament this Christmas at www.images.scrippsweb.com/HGTV/2005/10/24/SharonMann_SantaOrn.pdf. At www.craftideas.info/html/santa_claus_crafts.html you can make wine cork Santas, wooden Santas, Santa table decorations, Santa gift tags and more. A large resource of Santa arts and craft projects can be found at www.allfreecrafts.net/christmas/santa-crafts.shtml.
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Today's Tip On Christmas
Of the many engaging things that help to bring the magic of Christmas into our homes and hearts, is the festively decorated Christmas tree. It is often the central item and focal point of the Christmas holiday decorations found in most homes.
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