Decades later, artist Thomas Nast popularized Santa ... old to help support his family after his mother died. Beyond Santa Claus: Exploring Christmas traditions from around the world Instead ...

Today, Allentown’s Art Museum has a building of its own (see cut) and a 52-piece Samuel Kress Memorial Collection, dedicated to the Santa Claus born almost a century ago ten miles away.

Santa Claus’ suit may be one of his immutable features today, but he didn’t always wear red — and his closet used to be much more expansive. The legendary gift-giver’s style is just one indicator of ...

An example of the card is even in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection. It’s fascinating to see Santa Claus’ evolution from how he was depicted back then compared to today.

author of "Santa Claus: A Biography," in a phone interview. "It took about 80 years for American artists to settle on Santa's outfit. Up to that time you could have put them in any color ...