Yes, Saint Nicholas was a real person.
This author is an idiot.
I am inclined to agree, however in a weird way, I think the author does have a point to be made to Christian parents . Telling children this fantastic tale only to have it outed as a myth later on, can that hurt a child’s belief in God?
I would probably just want to venerate the real Saint Nicholas story, which is far more humble, and of course the Son of God, for whom the day is actually named.