Does Santa Claus exist?

Santa Claus is a fictional character from Christmas tradition. An amalgamation of folklore, myth and historical literature, Santa Claus is primarily based on a canonized Catholic bishop from the 4th century named Saint Nicholas.

The modern concept of Santa Claus is based primarily on the poem published in 1823 by Clement Clarke Moore, "The Night Before Christmas," which was originally titled "A Visit From Saint Nicholas." This poem contains the first references to elves, the sleigh pulled by reindeer, entering homes by chimney and the bag of toys. Since the publishing of Moore's poem, the Santa Clause legend has developed through songs, illustrations, movies and numerous other media.