A little web wandering puts the lie to your timeline as well.
How St. Nicholas Became Santa Claus
In the 16th Century in northern Europe, after the reformation, the stories and traditions about St. Nicholas became unpopular.
But someone had to deliver presents to children at Christmas, so in the UK, particularly in England, he became ‘Father Christmas’ or ‘Old Man Christmas’, an old character from stories plays during the middle ages in the UK and parts of northern Europe. In France, he was then known as ‘Père Nöel’.
In some countries including parts of Austria and Germany, present giver became the ‘Christkind’ a golden-haired baby, with wings, who symbolizes the new born baby Jesus.
In the early USA his name was ‘Kris Kringle’ (from the Christkind). Later, Dutch settlers in the USA took the old stories of St. Nicholas with them and Kris Kringle and St Nicholas became ‘Sinterklaas’ or as we now say ‘Santa Claus’!
Many countries, especially ones in Europe, celebrate St. Nicholas’ Day on 6th December. In Holland and some other European Countries, children leave clogs or shoes out on the 5th December (St. Nicholas Eve) to be filled with presents. They also believe that if they leave some hay and carrots in their shoes for Sinterklaas’s horse, they will be left some sweets.
St. Nicholas became popular again in the Victorian era when writers, poets and artists rediscovered the old stories.
It wasn't a lie my friend. I just didn't present enough information in order for you to understand my point. I responded from my tablet this morning and couldn't properly address it.
What I was trying to say about the 18th century was that it was time when various writers pulled together various myths nd legends from around the world and molded them into the coherent "Christmas" myth that is observed in America (and elsewhere) today. I'm talking about the prototypical American myth of Santa Claus living at the North Pole with elves and making toys all year long. The taking a sleigh with flying reindeers and delivering presents to kids all over the world. Christmas trees, stockings, etc etc.
I would also postulate that the modern "spirit of Christmas" you referred to earlier was either invented by or at least brought into public consciousness by Charles Dickens in "A Christmas Carol". In that book he used the device of the three "spirits of Christmas" in order to tell the tale of Ebenezer Scrooges change of heart.