Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa

CCC of America, 1989

List: $9.99 VHS $14.99 DVD

30 minutes

Ages: 4-8

Animated story based on fact and tradition. A bit long for young ones. Also available on DVD.

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Becoming Santa

Featuring Jack Sanderson

Cinema Libre Studio, 2011

List: $19.95

93 minutes

For adults and children who have already figured things out

This documentary tells about a man who lost the Christmas spirit and decided to try to recapture it by becoming Santa for one season. He bleaches his beard, buys a Santa suit and heads off to Santa school. Along the way Santa's story is told and St. Nicholas Center helps tell about the original St. Nicholas.

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In Search of Santa Claus: the truth behind a story you thought you knew

Infinity Entertainment Group for Smithsonian Networks, 2009

Ages: youth-adult

List: $9.98, now $5.99

DVD 47 minutes

Documentary history, tracing the development of the legends, primarily focusing on Myra (Demre, Turkey), Bari, Italy, the Lido of Venice, St. Nicholas icon in Bertscheid, Germany, up through the examination of the relics in Bari and the Lido and the reconstruction of his face in 2004.

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Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving

VeggieTales, Big Idea, 2009

45 minutes

List: $14.98 DVD

Ages: 4-8

Animated story features Veggie characters in a fanciful tale. The story, taking liberties with Nicholas' tradition, portrays a lost little boy who travels to find meaning only to return home where a classic selfish villain has taken over, prohibiting all kinds of gift giving. With usual Veggie humor and appeal, there is a nice emphasis on giving. This tale may encourage further investigation to find the real story of Saint Nicholas.

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The Saints' Gallery of Heaven's Heroes—VolumeIII: Saints for All Seasons
Mary, St. Valentine, St. Patrick, St. Nicholas and others

Oblate Media, 1996

List: $19.99 DVD with Vol. III & IV

42 minutes, each segment about 8 minutes

Vol. III: Mary, Queen of Saints, Saints Patrick, Nicholas Valentine, Mary Magdalen

Vol. IV: Saints Peter, Clare of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Siena, Paul

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The Saints: St. Nicholas: They called him the Wonder-Worker
St. Nicholas, St. Haralambos, St. Anthony

Ellinas Multimedia

Ages: 7-adult

List: $24.95

DVD 30 minutes

Orthodox priests and iconographers discuss the life and significance of St. Nicholas. Find out why he is the "real Santa," what happened at the Council of Nicaea, and much more.

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How St. Nicholas Became Santa Claus: The True Story

Pauline Books & Media, 1993

28 minutes

List: $14.95 (VHS)

Ages: 6-12

Tells the story of St. Nicholas. Presentation is somewhat amateur but has good information.

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