Unwrapping Santa: The History Behind the Christmas Icon

Before Santa Claus was cruising the night sky every Christmas Eve with his 9 magical reindeer and classic red getup, he was a kind man whose good deeds inspired a plethora of stories we tell every holiday season. Long before the North Pole workshops, red suit, and his reindeer-led sleigh we all know and love, the story of Santa began with a humble saint whose generosity lit the first spark of wonder. As time marched forward, people added their own twists to his story, reshaping the legend until Saint Nick became the jolly figure we know today. To find out how Father Christmas became who we know him as today, we’ll be diving deep into the history of Christmas itself, tracing tradition and culture that created the heartwarming holiday hero who now defines the magic of December.

You might not think Santa originated as a real person, but you’d be wrong. The man of the hour, Saint Nicholas, was a Bishop residing in Myra, now located in modern-day Turkey. Nicholas quietly gave gifts to those who needed them, such as sneaking coins in the shoes of children on the street or helping parents get meals for their families. One famous story tells of the time he saved three poor women from being sold into slavery by providing them with a dowry, letting them marry. It is said he donated all of his inherited wealth to his philanthropic deeds. Because of these acts of charity and devotion to the faith, he was canonized as a Saint after his death. He became a patron saint for children and sailors, having a feast day in his honor on the 6th of December. These stories of goodwill spread far and wide, becoming the most popular saint in Europe.

As Nicholas gained sainthood and his story traveled beyond Myra, each region added its own colorful twist to this generous figure, and so Father Christmas emerged. This folk hero originated in 16th-century England, usually being depicted as a tall, skinny man wearing a green getup. Father Christmas mostly personified the festive season itself rather than gift giving. However, on the other side of the spectrum in Germany, arose Knecht Ruprecht, their version of Saint Nicholas. Knecht Ruprecht was depicted as a bearded man, dressed in all black and carrying a staff. He was known to punish children, often spanking or scaring kids who were naughty. These stories were forged to reinforce good behavior. Together, they wove together one of Santa's main actions today, testing if you’re naughty or nice. However, in the Netherlands, another story pertaining to the legendary Saint Nicholas was told. Sinterklaas was his name,  usually depicted as an elderly bishop wearing red robes and a tall hat, carrying a long staff. He delivered gifts to children’s stockings with the help of his assistants, known as Zwarte Piet. This legend blended the story of Saint Nicholas with old Dutch traditions of gift giving, leading us to a more modern santa that we see today!

When Europeans arrived in America, they carried their beloved holiday traditions with them, paving the path for a new American Santa. The legend of Saint Nicholas first seeped into American cultural zeitgeist in the 1700s New York, whose Dutch culture brought along our old friend Sinterklaas. This name over time eventually morphed into what we know as Santa Claus, the most popular iteration of Saint Nick. Literary works would influence Santa as time went on, such as in 1823 with Clement Clarke Moore’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” introducing us to his iconic magical sleigh with reindeer, as well as hung stockings and his jolly personality. Newspaper cartoonist Thomas Nast heavily depicted Santa Claus in his works, solidifying his stunning red suit, plump figure, and even his North Pole workshop! Through centuries of storytelling, culture, tradition, and of course, gift-giving, Santa Claus became the jolly figure who embodies the Christmas spirit and the magic and joy it brings across the world. But, who knows how Santa will change next?