Father Christmas or Santa Claus is based on St. Nicholas, who was a Christian bishop in the fourth century. He was famous because he was generous and kind. People started giving presents on his day in the Christian calendar,6 December. Gradually this custom of giving presents moved to Christmas. But in England it was Father Christmas. In the 18th century Dutch settlers took the tradition of Sinterlaaas ("saint Nicholas" in Dutch) to New York. The pronunciation of "Sinterlass" gradually became "Santa Claus", and Santa Claus and Father Christmas became the same person.The American cartoonist Thomas Nast created the modern image of Santa Claus in 1863. He is a happy old man with a white beard, wearing a red suit. He drives a sleigh pulled by reindeer, and comes down the chimney with toys for children.Before American and British children go to bed on Christmas Eve, they leave mince pies,biscuits and something to drink for Father Christmas. They also leave a Christmas stocking, where Father Christmas puts their presents.