Use the name “Santa Claus” in a sentence, and images of a happy little fat guy dressed in red and hanging out with a sleigh full of reindeer will immediately flood the brains of whoever happens to be listening. But that wasn't always the case. Believe it or not, Christmastime's most philanthropic mascot is a relatively new invention, one whose iconic appearance was fine-tuned with the help of legendary artists such as Thomas Nast and Norman Rockwell.
We're looking back more than 325 years to uncover 12 Different Ways Santa Claus Has Been Depicted Around the World.
RELATED: Holiday Gift Guide: 25 Awesome Prints We Want This Holiday Season
RELATED: Holiday Gift Guide: 25 Grown-Up Toys We Want This Holiday Season