Nuh uh! He was abandoned by his mother and dumped on the doorstep of the Berger Meister Meister Berger, who sent him to the orphanage. The guy bringing him there lost him, and he was found by some elves, the Kringles, who raised him. Sheesh! Don't you know nothin'? ; )
Great history on Santa and Old Saint Nick.
I for one am not a pessimist regarding the current state of Christmas. I think it can be a beautiful blend of giving and receiving via presents and also a celebration of Christ.
Christmas is the best time of year. Every year brings another new memory, another new tradition, etc. It also allows you to appreciate how lucky you are to have your family and friends.
It should be noted that "historically documented" does not here have the commonly accepted meaning.
The "evidence" for St Nicholas is a hagiography written half a millenia after he supposedly lived.