Could mushrooms explain the Santa myth?

 

http://www.livescience.com/42077-8-ways-mushrooms-explain-santa.html?cmpid=556093

I suppose mushrooms could have been involved, but it seems speculative to me. More rooted in the facts is this is this interesting summary of the evolution and history of the santa figure:

 

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/12/131219-santa-claus-origin-history-christmas-facts-st-nicholas

 

 

Happy birthday, Isaac Newton!

Santa is nothing but St.Nicholas, by whose name a legend goes that he used to distribute gifts to children on the eve of Christ's birthday (in the night). The children used to keep stockings so as to receive gifts.

That's part of the story, but as the link in my post immediately preceding yours makes clear, it's not all.