Santa spends most of the year in the North Pole making toys for children all around the world. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the jolly bearded man starts popping up everywhere – at Christmas parties, at department stores, and at Christmas concerts, to name just a few places. He is also very well represented in Christmas decorations, as he is of course one of the most iconic figures of Christmas. So how was the legend of Santa created? The character of Santa Claus is believed to be based on the story of St Nicholas, who was born in 280AD in Asia Minor, which is now Turkey. He was a Catholic priest who devoted his life to helping others. He would often give gifts to children, but didn’t want people to know that he was the gift bearer, so children were told to go to sleep early, so the anonymous gift giver could continue his good deeds unseen. The Santa Claus that we see in popular culture and Christmas decorations today still leaves gifts for children unseen, and is usually depicted as an older gentleman, with a bushy white beard, jolly round belly, and a red suit. This Santa Claus ornament stands 94cm high, and has a red jacket with gold and white fur trim. Santa is holding a gift sack in one hand, and a present from someone very special in the other. If you appreciate Christmas decorations with detail, then you’ll love this Santa.