Santa has parallels with Odin
Santa has many similarities between the King of Asgard. For one, they are both similar in appearance: white hair and a white beard. Odin was known for flying a Sleipnir, a flying eight-legged horse. Odin was a gift-giver and had gift-making elves. And during the nights of Yule, would reward the good and punish disobedient.