The modern Father Christmas is based on loads of different people.
One of the most important was a Turkish bishop called St Nicholas who lived around 280AD, and was especially kind to children.
He became so popular that nuns decided to honour him by giving gifts on St Nicholas's Day, on 6 December.
By the 12th century, lots of Europeans were doing this, so it was decided to join St Nicholas's Day with Christmas Day.
Around the world
Different countries have other ideas about Father Christmas.
French children call him Pere Noel, and the Dutch refer to him as an elf called Sinta Klaas or Kris Kringle, who drops down chimneys. Some believe Santa arrives on Christmas Eve, others on Christmas Day.
Another important figure was Wodin, a Norse who lived in the icy North. He rode from roof to roof on a white stag.
From this, Santa and his reindeer developed. Many people think he lived in the North Pole, Greenland or Finland.
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