Representations of Santa vary from place to place. He is seen as a gnome, elf, troll, child, saint, fat, thin, dressed in white, dressed in red, and is sometimes... a woman.
Fortunately for children throughout the world and the centuries, Santa Claus changes with the times. He started out bestowing gifts to needy, and soon was handing out gifts to all children, but with a keen eye for those who deserved them and those who didn't. Nordic folktales had it right on the mark in saying that he was a magician who gave gifts to good children and punished the bad ones. However, thanks to the example of the patron St. Nicholas, he's very forgiving, with a kind heart and a desire to love. Thank goodness for the Cajuns, who gave Pere Noel the characteristics of wit and charm, which no doubt helped him in winning a Mrs.! Today, Santa brings gifts to all walks of life.
In much of the world, Santa Claus flies from place to place in a magical sleigh pulled by reindeer. In many countries, the reindeer get a break as he rides a mule, donkey, or white horse. Santa Claus has also traditionally been known to travel by boat. He's also been seen on the back of a camel, in trains, airplanes, and he has a driver's license in most places. He is currently trying to decide which form of space travel will suit him best.
Santa has been known to enter a house through an opened door, a chimney, an open window, and even through a keyhole.
Santa Claus enjoys handing out gifts, but is always happy to receive in return. Some of the most common things left out for him to take are cookies and milk, almonds for the Christmas fairies, straw, hay, and carrots for his animal or animals, porridge, sand kagar, hot cocoa, and coffee.
Some things that have been left for children who were naughty include switches, coal, ashes, potatoes, onions, and nothing at all! Santa isn't always so ruthless, though. In one instance he left a girl a bundle of switches that were fashioned into a small high chair for her dolls.
He is said to live in several places, among them the top of the globe, northern Canada, and Korvatunturi in Finland, not to mention many forests around the world.
