Patrick Courrielche
In 2015, Courrielche wrote a long form story "St. Nicholas: The Birth Of A Social Weapon" on the origin of Santa Claus and introduced the concept of a "social weapon" - a packaged idea, message, or product that is used by an individual or group to advance their cause. Courrielche argued that New York City elites crafted Santa Claus from St. Nicholas, a widely known patron saint, to stabilize a city plagued by annual misbehavior every December. Santa Claus was then used as a "social weapon" by merchants, craftsman, city rulers, parents, newspapers, and others to benefit their endeavors. The essay was added to the St. Nicholas Center's resource on the Origin of Santa Claus.
Santa Claus House
The Santa Claus House is a Christmas-themed retail store in North Pole, Alaska. It was founded as a trading post alongside the Richardson Highway in 1952 by Con and Nellie Miller, shortly after North Pole itself was founded by real estate developer Everett Dahl. The Santa Claus House served as North Pole's post office from its inception through the early 1970s. Around that same time, the business was relocated coincidental with the relocation of the Richardson Highway through North Pole. Ownership and management was passed down to sons Terry (prior to his untimely death) and Mike, who also hold the distinction of being the only brother pair who both served as president of a state senate in the United States. Santa Claus House is known for the world's largest Santa statue and its "Letters from Santa".