Santa Claus
Appearance

Santa is generally depicted as a portly, jolly, white- bearded man, often with spectacles, wearing a red outfit consisting of jacket, trousers and hat all trimmed with white fur, accessorized with black leather belt and boots, and carrying a bag full of gifts for children. The 1823 poem " A Visit from St. Nicholas " popularized this image in North America during the 19th century. Caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast also played a role in the creation of Santa's image.

The traditional 1823 Christmas poem A Visit from St. Nicholas relates that Santa has:

"a little round belly That shook when he laugh'd, like a bowl full of jelly"

Though most often portrayed as white, Santa is also depicted as black or of other races. His race or colour is sometimes a subject of controversy.
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