Most people will agree Santa is the ultimate representation of Christmas. For generations young children have been putting out brandy and carrots on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus and his reindeer when he climbs down the chimney and hopefully brings a plethora of presents. But how did all this come about?

The legend of Santa can be traced back as early as the 12th century, but back then he was more of a religious symbol, being depicted as the Norse god Odin among others. The name "Santa Claus" is an American spin on the European "Saint Nicolas", who did pretty much the same thing. In the UK, Santa is commonly known as Father Christmas.

The traditional image of Santa as a big, plump man with rosy cheeks and a white beard who dresses in red became popular in the 19th century in the USA. This image proved so popular it stuck and has been mass reproduced ever since. Santa is now a cultural icon and can be found in pretty much and popular discourse.

For the festive season, the costume item most in demand is the Santa hat. These are available in a huge range of designs and styles, from the traditional red with white trim, to Santa cowboy hats and even Christmas style earmuffs! Of course Santa hats always look better when combined with the entire Santa costume, however wearing the hat by itself is also acceptable.

No matter what age or gender you are, anyone can buy a Santa hat. Costume manufacturers have become savvy to the fact that everyone wants to resemble the big man in red, and therefore make a big push to get their products to the shops in time. That's why you're bound to see a sea of red and white heads walking down the high street during the holiday season. From adults to children and even university students, everyone loves a Santa hat!

The point is this- good old Saint Nick represents all that's great about Christmas, so why not celebrate the festive season while keeping your head warm in the style of the big man? Merry Christmas!

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