Yes, of course there is a Santa. How else could the world’s change one of the two holiest days in Christendom into a pagan ritual? Just look at how well the pagan Easter bunny suplanted the resurrection of Jesus.
Good one! Today’s modern Christmas/Holiday Season came about through Hollyweird during WW2 to boost morale on the home front. Bing Crosby’s White Christmas was a push. Before that, Christmas was a more private affair with no “25 days before Christmas so get your shopping done” and started a countdown to it.