Does santa exist because we believe in him?

Does the act of believing in santa clause make him real. Not physically, obviously a man doesnt climb down every chimney in the world. But as a child I always believed in santa clause. I always looked forward to his visits and put some deal of faith and belief in this figure. If this figure is able to affect the lives of so many children, more children then ill ever be able to affect, then isnt he just as "real" of a being as you and me?