Description: Hans Christian Anderson, Author. Mini boxes for tiny treasures.
Measurement: 2in h
Interior Design: Mermaid (From "The Little Mermaid")
Manufacturer: Harmony Ball
Material: Crushed Marble, with look and feel of antique ivory

Santa Claus is a composite of Saint Nicholas and Father Christmas. Nicholas of Myra, 4th century bishop of Byzantine Anatolia in present day Turkey, was famous for his generous gifts to the poor. Father Christmas dates back to 17th century Britain and typified the spirit of good cheer at Christmas. He was portrayed by Charles Dickens in the "Spirit of Christmas Present" from A Christmas Carol. Children worldwide believe in Santa Claus. In Germany, he is named Sankt Nikolaus, Sinterklaas in Holland, Pere Noël in France, Julenissen in Scandinavia, Father Christmas in England, Papai Noel in Brazil, Viejo Pasquero in Chile, Ded Moroz in Slavic countries, and Joulupukki in Finland. Whatever his moniker, he is beloved and anticipated wherever he travels. The American version of Santa Claus was brought by Dutch settlers to New York in the 17th century. American author Washington Irving gave the country its first detailed information about the Dutch version of Saint Nicholas. Saint Nick achieved his fully Americanized form in 1823 in the poem The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore. One of the first artists to capture Santa’s image as we know him today was Thomas Nast, an American cartoonist of the 19th century, who in 1862 illustrated him for Harper's Weekly. Another popularization is A History of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum, author of the Wizard of Oz. Even though Santa would have to travel at a velocity of 8 million meters per second to visit all of the world’s households, we invite your imagination to conjure special memories of this round-bellied bearer of happiness.