He answered it, "This is Colonel Shoup." And then there was a small voice that just asked: "Is this Santa Claus?" MAN: Dad was very straitlaced, very disciplined. WOMAN: He was annoyed.

by Ben Finley / Associated Press TOPICS: The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering ...

Some Christmas traditions mirror pre-Christian festivities, but some pagan influences may have been overstated.

Santa Claus’ suit may be one of his immutable features today, but he didn’t always wear red — and his closet used to be much more expansive. The legendary gift-giver’s style is just one indicator of ...

The Christmas tradition has become nearly global in scope: Children from around the world track Santa Claus as he sweeps across the earth, delivering presents and defying time. Each year ...

Santa Claus' uniform may have some variations ... charts the history of his character and challenged his oft-repeated origins as a natural import of the Netherlands' St. Nicholas, Sinterklaas.