I think that the fact that we keep giving gifts in the memory of Saint Nick is testament to at least some ephemeral existance. If he doesn't exist in person, and I don't believe that he does, he exists in our minds to the point where we practice a bit of charity at least once a year.
I personally don't give gifts on Christmas anymore. I prefer to give them on the sixth of december (saint nicks day) or the sixth of January (three kings day). Seems better to me that way. Plus I can spend Christmas with my family. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Here's some funny stuff about the physical impossibility of Santa.
http://home.uchicago.edu/~rascalzo/a...a-physics.html
And here's a webpage about the origin of Santa. I'm leaning towards the santa being pagan thing. I couldn't find anything online but I do remember reading some books and fairy tales that describe santa like people running around BCE.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/santa1.htm
DeSoya