As many as 32 percent of Poles believe in Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas, while 68 percent of think that he does not exist, shows a survey by SMG/KRC.

Most of those who believe in Santa Clause’s existence refer to the historical character of Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra who lived between 270 and 346.

Saint Nicholas was also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker because of many miracles attributed to him. He had a reputation for helping the poor and secret gift-giving. Therefore he became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas.

Among those who do not believe in Santa Claus are mainly young people under 30 years of age. “Apparently, belief in Santa Clause comes with age. People start believing in Santa Claus when they are children and then regain their faith when they have children,” says Wojciech Holdakowski from SMG/KRC.

In the same survey, 75 percent of Poles said they deserved to get a Christmas gift and 18 percent had an opposite opinion. (mg)