Because Santa Claus has the extraordinary ability to visit homes all around the world in a single night, it’s only logical that multiple locations claim to be his abode. Santa is widely believed to originate from the chilly North Pole, but people in Finland will tell you that he also calls Finland home. To demonstrate this, the Finns will even invite you to visit Santa Claus in his workshop before Christmas or during the year, where you may speak with him as he and his assistants prepare for their annual Christmas journey across the world.
Clement Clarke Moore’s poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,’ written in 1822, is credited for popularising the image and legend of Santa Claus in America today. Moore portrayed St. Nicholas as a cheerful person who travelled from house to house in a sleigh carried by reindeers, waiting for children to go to bed on Christmas Eve before bringing Christmas gifts down the chimney.
Between 1863 and 1886, the prominent magazine Harper’s Weekly published cartoons by Thomas Nast picturing Santa as a joyful fellow with a large round belly and long white beard who wore a bright red suit trimmed with white fur, following the publication of that poem. In such animations, Santa also carried a sack full of gifts for boys and girls over his shoulder. Santa Claus was seen in the cartoons reading letters from good boys and girls, working in his workshop with his elves, checking his list to make sure he had everything he needed, and even his wife, Mrs. Claus.
Santa Claus, on the other hand, was brought to America by Dutch immigrants who settled in what was then known as New Amsterdam, New York City. The true St. Nicholas is said to be a minor saint from the fourth century who was noted for his charity and kindness, which led to legends of many miracles he did for the poor and destitute. St. Nicholas is said to have saved three poor sisters from their father’s plan to sell them into slavery or prostitution, according to mythology. According to legend, Santa Claus gave the girls a dowry so they may marry.
As a result of his legend, hundreds of people became devoted to St. Nicholas, and thousands of European churches were dedicated to him. During the Protestant Reformation, however, widespread devotion to St. Nicholas died out in Protestant European countries, with the exception of Holland, where the legend of St. Nicholas has endured. St. Nicholas’ original name was Sint Nikolaas, which was later abbreviated to Sinter Klaas.
Dutch immigrants brought Sinter Klaas to New York City, where he was given the English name Santa Claus. The Dutch tradition of the benevolent saint was finally blended with old Nordic folktales about a magician who punished evil children and rewarded good ones with presents, giving rise to the modern Santa Claus traditions.
Santa Claus’ red and white-trimmed clothing is supposed to reflect the colours that the original St. Nicholas wore because red and white were the colours of previous bishops’ robes. Between 1931 and 1964, the Coca-Cola Company is said to have inspired today’s famous picture of Santa Claus by including illustrations by artist Haddon Sundblom in some of the company’s advertising.
