Was Santa Claus Born Out of Psychedelic Folklore?

When pondering the prevalence of Santa Claus in western culture, we see kitschy holiday movies, neon-lit figures in front yards, and patterned, white-bearded wrapping paper. Santa has been a widely accepted symbol of Christmas cheer for centuries, but where did the myth begin?  If you’ve read about the origins of this gift-giving character, you’ve most likely...