Arguing, Children, and Christmas: Children dressed in Santa Claus costumes wave as they participate in Christmas celebrations at a school in Chandigarh, India. Many people believe that the modern image of Santa comes from the work of Thomas Nast, an artist who drew for the magazine Harpers Weekly. He painted Santa from 1863 to 1886 and in 1869 illustrated a book called Santa Claus and His Works. The book showed how Santa manufactured toys for boys and girls at his home at the North Pole. The colours of his suit are widely thought to derive from the original Saint Nicholas, who was the Bishop of Myra in the 4th Century. Red and white were the hues of traditional bishop robes, although some historians argue that he originally dressed in different colours. PHOTO: Ajay Verma- REUTERS BBCSnapshot photography costume santa santaclaus Chirstmas