Santa Claus is one of the most ubiquitous figures in modern culture. A version of him is celebrated all over the world, and while some have some pretty notable differences—in the Netherlands, for instance, Santa has a sidekick named Grumpus who threatens to kidnap naughty kids—it usually boils down to the same general premise: If kids have been well-behaved throughout the year, then a magical bearded man will break into their homes at night and leave gifts.

You might think you know everything there is to know about Kris Kringle, or Jolly Old Saint Nick, or any of the dozens of different names he's called around the globe. But we're willing to bet there are a few fun facts you've never heard. Maybe you're one of those Scrooges who doesn't care about Santa Claus anymore because you think he's just a myth. Well if that's true, then you've likely never heard that since 2006 Claus hasn't been included in the "Forbes Fictional 15," an annual list of the wealthiest fictional characters, because they received too many letters from angry readers insisting he was real. "After taking into account the physical evidence–toys delivered, milk and cookies devoured," the editors explained, "we felt it was safer to remove him from consideration."And that's just the beginning. Here are 17 remarkable and curious tales from the colorful history of the most famous overweight elf who's entire business involves giving away toys to kids, ostensibly with no profit margin whatsoever, that the world has ever known.His sleigh is probably the fastest vehicle ever made.     Leave a like if not you will be on the naughty list!!