Orphaned protagonist raised communally by Lapland families for one year each. He carves wooden toys as Christmas gifts for his caretakers. After a village blight, he becomes apprentice to Iisakki, gradually embodying the Christmas spirit and eventually becoming Santa Claus.
Nikolas learns carpentry under Iisakki's demanding guidance.
After the village families can no longer support Nikolas, Iisakki takes him in and makes him his apprentice carpenter.
Aada is Nikolas's younger sister, and her death becomes the tragedy that changes his life.
The plot identifies Aada as Nikolas's younger sister. She dies alongside their parents in the accident that leaves Nikolas orphaned.
Explore the full interactive character relationship map of Christmas Story