Asheville, NC, November 2, 2022 — Santa Claus, St. Nick, Belsnickle and Kris Kringle are all used to describe the celebrated jolly old Elf. But these monikers, and a host of others from around the world, have vastly different origin stories. In his award-winning book, Santa Claus Worldwide: A History of St. Nicholas and Other Holiday Gift-Bringers, researcher and author Tom Jerman sets the record straight on America’s version of Santa Claus and treats readers to a comprehensive history of the world’s midwinter gift-givers, showcasing the extreme diversity in their depictions as well as the many traits and functions these characters share. Jerman began collecting Santa Claus figurines in the 1980s…