What do Santa Claus and deer symbolize at Christmas in America? Why do deer pull sledges?

Santa Claus originated from European folklore. Usually parents will explain to their children that the gifts they received at Christmas were from Santa Claus.

Santa Claus is a mysterious figure who brings gifts to children. This concept originated from Saint Nicholas. Nicholas was a kind bishop who lived in Asia Minor in the 4th century. The Dutch will imitate him in giving gifts on Saint Nicholas' Day (65438+February 6th). In North America, the Dutch and British colonists integrated this tradition into Christmas celebrations, and Dutch-speaking Sinterklaas was introduced into English to become Santa Claus, which correspondingly became the image of Santa Claus. In Anglo-American tradition, Santa Claus always comes to Christmas Eve happily in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. He climbed into the house from the chimney, left gifts for the children and ate the food left by the children. He is busy making gifts and monitoring children's behavior at other times of the year. The image similar to Santa Claus in France is Father Noel, who is almost identical to Santa Claus. His red and white clothes once inspired Coca-Cola Company to draw images of Santa Claus all over the world in the1930s. In some cultures, Santa Claus is accompanied by Knecht Ruprecht or a guy named "Zwarte Piet". In some versions, gnomes in toy workshops make holiday presents, and sometimes Santa Claus and his wife are husband and wife. During Christmas, children can ask Santa Claus for presents in many supermarkets in North America and Britain. In Icelandic legend, there is not only one Santa Claus, but nine. Everyone has different personalities, some are naughty and lively, and some are kind and gentle.

In many countries, on Christmas Eve, children will prepare empty containers so that Santa can put some small gifts, such as toys, candy or fruit. In America, children hang Christmas stockings on the fireplace on Christmas Eve, because Santa Claus said he would come down from the chimney and put presents in Christmas Eve socks. In other countries, children leave their empty shoes outdoors so that Santa can give presents on Christmas Eve (or on the eve of Saint Nicholas's Day on February 5, 65438). The description of Santa Claus in the Arctic subtly reflects people's impression of industry. At the beginning of the 20th century, some images of Santa Claus showed him making toys with his hands, just like a craftsman in a small workshop. Later, the impression became that there were many elves making toys under Santa Claus, but the toys were handmade by various elves in the traditional way. By the end of the twentieth century, the western public had fully accepted the reality of large-scale machine production. Modern people's description of Santa's residence reflects this: people humorously say that his residence is a highly mechanized production facility, equipped with the most advanced manufacturing technology, managed by elf and manager Santa Claus. There are many TV commercials that turn this scene into a company comedy, depicting the elf as a disgruntled employee, joking and playing tricks on the boss.

Place of residence:

Traditionally, Santa Claus comes from the North Pole, such as Labrin province in Finland, which is recognized by the Nordic countries. However, at the 40th world santa claus congress, Greenland, a Danish territory in North America, was renegotiated as the residence of Santa Claus, because there are actually many reindeer there.

Others:

Every year near Christmas, children (who believe in Santa Claus) always write letters to Santa Claus, telling them that they want to receive Christmas presents. In some countries, in order not to disappoint them, people will write back to these letters.

In addition, NORAD also provides "tracking Santa Claus" service for children, so that children can check the location of Santa Claus through the Internet or telephone every Christmas.