These 5 Inch Metal Santa Ornaments
are wearing long red cloaks with a green and gold hem that is blown to the right. The Santa Ornaments are holding a large holly branch with spiraled tips in his right hand and a black lantern with gold hearts in his left hand, both dressed in blue mittens. The Santa Claus Hats and sleeve cuffs are trimmed in green and gold and white fur. The jolly Santa Ornaments hang by a gold lame cord. Select to see a complete listing of our Christmas Decorations Ideas.

History of the Modern American Santa Claus.
Born in the United States of mixed ethnic and religious heritage, Santa Claus embodies the American ideal of the nation as a great melting pot of cultural identities. Santa Claus became an important folk figure in the second half of the nineteenth century, about the time when Americans were beginning to celebrate Christmas in large numbers. Santa Claus bears a good deal of resemblance to his closest relative, the old European gift bringer St. Nicholas. Indeed “St. Nick” serves as one of Santa’s nicknames.
Many popular songs tell of his North Pole and Christmas Eve activities. Nearly every American child can tell you that Santa is a plump, old man with a white beard who wears a baggy red suit and cap trimmed with white fur. Many send letters to his North Pole workshop describing the gifts they would like to receive for Christmas. They eagerly await Christmas Eve, when he loads his sled with Unique Christmas Gifts for good girls and boys and flies around the world, sliding down chimneys to place the presents under decorated Christmas trees. As if to confirm this Christmas fairy tale, men in Santa suits regularly appear on street corners, at office parties, and in department and toy stores around Christmas time. Check out our large variety of Unique Christmas Ornaments.

Santa of the Year Award.
In 1995 the Santa Claus of Greenland Foundation instituted the Santa of the Year Award to be given each Christmas “to an individual person, who is internationally recognized for humanistic views and deeds and who is committed to furthering awareness of the need for improvements in the welfare of children throughout the world.” That year President Nelson Mandela of South Africa was given the award by the premier of Greenland, along with $100,000 to be used for children’s charities. Select to see a complete listing of our Snowman Christmas Ornament.