You may know him by many names—but the truth is, Santa was once a boy named Chris. This site is where you'll discover his secret past—hidden in books, videos, letters, and messages passed down from previous generations.
The Kringle family has always been a mystery. But now, their secrets are ready to be shared. Santa's birth name was Christopher Clause Kringle—and for the first time, he's opening up about his life. Every "Santa Secret" will be revealed... including why "Claus" sometimes has an "-e" and why "Chris" is often "Kris."
As a boy, Christopher didn’t know he was a descendant of St. Nicholas of Myra—born in Greece, AD 270 to AD 343—known as the patron saint of children.
St. Nicholas became famous for secretly giving gifts to those who were kind.
Over time, his story became the foundation for the boy who would one day become Santa Claus.
Sadly, 125 years ago, there were no shopping malls, no toy stores—and definitely no credit cards. Christmas was mostly a holy day when families gathered, shared meals, and told stories.
Children didn’t expect piles of presents. If they were lucky—and very good—they might receive a penny… or a single piece of fruit.
… he wanted to do something nice for his family.
His parents often said, “It’s better to give than to receive.” So one year, Christopher secretly gave the very first gifts—to his new brother and parents. No one knew how important those first gifts would be. This tradition became a Kringle family secret—until now.
New Amsterdam—a Dutch settlement until 1665.
Santa’s dad, Luke, once found an old map of the original fort that stood where lower Manhattan is today. The northern wall of wooden posts? Its name never changed: Wall Street.
That wide road running north to south on the map? That’s Broadway. Still there. Still famous.
Just north of where the old Dutch fort once stood, this neighborhood became home to thousands of immigrant families.
The Kringles lived in a tenement on Bayard Street—half a block west of Mulberry.
This is where young Christopher learned kindness. And where his story—and Wally’s—truly begins.
Most people don’t know Santa even had a big brother. Wally has been a Kringle family secret for years — and for good reason.
Ask yourself this: Why would Christopher Kringle, one of the kindest boys in the world, keep his brother a mystery?
The answer has been in plain sight all along.
And their story will amaze you.
Chris and Wally want everyone to understand one thing: The world needs more peace.
It doesn’t matter where you live, what you believe, or what you look like. Hair color, skin shade, eye color—none of it matters.
They just want us to be kind. To help each other. To give. Because kindness always leads to something greater.
A: After World War II, Santa divided the globe into 8 delivery regions called Drop Zones. Each Drop Zone has secret locations where gifts are hidden ahead of time.
Deliveries begin in Drop Zone #1 (Russia) and finish in Drop Zone #8 (Western US, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska).
Thanks to the rotation of the Earth, Santa has a full 24 hours to complete his mission.
It’s a process not so different from how FedEx works — where packages “absolutely, positively have to be there overnight.” Santa and his North Pole team have followed this Drop Zone Theory since 1955, when the number of children grew rapidly during the baby boom.
A: Chris Kringle’s life mission has always been about creating peace, ending hate, and treating people with kindness and respect.
Throughout history, others have tried to do the same — people like Jesus Christ, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and John F. Kennedy. They stood for truth, compassion, and unity. Sadly, many of those men were hurt or even killed for trying to make the world a better place.
That’s why the Kringle family lives in hiding. The North Pole is one of the safest — and most magical — places on Earth.
There is a group of powerful men who live in the shadows. They call themselves the Confraters. These men have existed since ancient times, and they don’t like peace — especially when it comes from people like Santa.
The Confraters want control. Santa wants freedom. And that’s why the North Pole must remain hidden… for now.
A: That’s a great question, Roald — and one I hear a lot.
The short answer is: not always. Millions of families around the world don’t have chimneys. Some live in apartments, others in warm places where fireplaces aren’t needed. Some families live on boats, in shelters, or travel during the holidays. So no — the chimney isn’t the only way I deliver gifts.
Here’s the real answer: I always look for the path of least resistance — the safest, quietest, most respectful way to enter a home and leave a little joy behind. Sometimes that means the chimney. Other times, it’s a back door, a window left open just a crack, or a key hidden beneath the doormat (I’m very good at finding those!).
What matters most isn’t how I get in — it’s the preparation before I ever arrive. That’s why I make lists. That’s why I check them twice. That’s why Wally and I have a 364-day planning calendar, full of check-ins with elves, delivery maps, toy audits, and global weather briefings.
December 25th isn’t just a magical day — it’s a masterclass in preparation, precision, and care.
Santa Secret:
Wally and I sometimes joke that I always use the chimney — mostly because it makes for a fun story and a great drawing. But the truth? We adapt. That’s what makes it magic.
So whether your house has a chimney, a cat door, or no door at all… if you’re kind, giving, and full of wonder, I’ll find a way inside.
A: Great question, Madison — and one I’m happy to answer honestly.
As a child, I was actually smaller than most kids my age. I didn’t eat a lot, and I was always on the move — helping out on the farm, exploring the world around me, or chasing after my older brother, Wally in Columbus Park.
But things changed when I got older. After I married Mrs. Claus and moved permanently to the North Pole, my body adapted to the cold. Just like people in the Arctic, the human body naturally stores more warmth and energy when living in extreme winter environments. It’s science — not just cookies!
Still, I stay very active. You might be surprised to learn I’m actually in pretty good shape. Delivering presents around the world in a single night isn’t easy — it takes endurance, focus, and strength. I treat it like a marathon every year.
Santa Secret:
In my 20s and 30s, I was especially strong — and had to be. There were moments when I had to protect myself against the Confraters. (That part of the story comes later…)
So no, I haven’t always been chubby. But I’ve always tried to stay balanced, joyful, and ready to help others — which, in my opinion, is the healthiest way to live. Teddy Roosevelt once told me, "Eat when you're hungry. Drink while you're thirsty. Sleep when you're tired. But don't let anyone tell you not to run around and play, because exercise is the best form of medicine for children."
