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According to the website www.the-north-pole.com, Santa’s American image was elaborated by illustrator Thomas Nast. He depicted Santa as a rotund fellow for Christmas issues of Harper’s magazine from the 1860s to the 1880s.
Nast created illustrations of Santa’s workshop at the North Pole and Santa’s list of the good and bad children of the world.
In addition, a human-sized version of Santa Claus, was depicted in a series of illustrations for Coca-Cola advertisements introduced in 1931. It was these ads that made Santa in a red suit the icon he is today.
In modern versions of the Santa Claus legend, only his toy-shop workers are elves. Rudolph, the ninth reindeer, with a red and shiny nose, became popular in 1939 introduced by an advertising writer for the Montgomery Ward Company.
In looking for the historical roots of Santa Claus, one must go very deep in the past. One discovers that Santa Claus as we know him is a combination of many different legends and mythical creatures.
The basis for the Christian-era Santa Claus is Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna (Izmir), in what is now Turkey. Nicholas lived in the 4th century A.D. He was very rich, generous, and loving toward children. Often he gave joy to poor children by throwing gifts in through their windows.
Recently, we asked Santa some questions. His secrets stayed intact.
Q&A
How old are you?
“I am ageless.”
Where exactly at the North Pole do you live?
“I live in the hearts and imaginations of children the world over. Where I live and have my workshop will never be revealed.”
Is there really a list of naughty and nice boys and girls?
“Yes, there really is a list. But, it seems at Christmas I am always able to find some nice in even the naughtiest of children.”
How do you get down the chimney?
“When all houses had chimneys it wasn’t a problem. But then stoves came along and not everyone had a chimney for me to climb down.
“To solve that problem, I had to call on my elf friends. They devised a clever way for me to get around that.”
So, do you walk through the walls with elf magic?
“That’s a very clever guess. But, I cannot reveal my secrets.”
Why doesn’t Mrs. Claus help you on Christmas Eve?
“Mrs. Claus is the brains behind the whole deal. You may have heard the saying, ‘Behind every great man, is a great woman.’”
“That is very true of Mrs. Claus. She helps me fatten up. She works hard to help me get the elves and plans organized.
When I leave to deliver the presents there is a terrible mess left behind. Mrs. Claus helps the elves clean up and begins getting organized for the next year. Without Mrs. Claus I don’t know what I would do.”
According to the website www.the-north-pole.com, Santa’s American image was elaborated by illustrator Thomas Nast. He depicted Santa as a rotund fellow for Christmas issues of Harper’s magazine from the 1860s to the 1880s.
Nast created illustrations of Santa’s workshop at the North Pole and Santa’s list of the good and bad children of the world.
In addition, a human-sized version of Santa Claus, was depicted in a series of illustrations for Coca-Cola advertisements introduced in 1931. It was these ads that made Santa in a red suit the icon he is today.
In modern versions of the Santa Claus legend, only his toy-shop workers are elves. Rudolph, the ninth reindeer, with a red and shiny nose, became popular in 1939 introduced by an advertising writer for the Montgomery Ward Company.
In looking for the historical roots of Santa Claus, one must go very deep in the past. One discovers that Santa Claus as we know him is a combination of many different legends and mythical creatures.
The basis for the Christian-era Santa Claus is Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna (Izmir), in what is now Turkey. Nicholas lived in the 4th century A.D. He was very rich, generous, and loving toward children. Often he gave joy to poor children by throwing gifts in through their windows.
Recently, we asked Santa some questions. His secrets stayed intact.
Q&A
How old are you?
“I am ageless.”
Where exactly at the North Pole do you live?
“I live in the hearts and imaginations of children the world over. Where I live and have my workshop will never be revealed.”
Is there really a list of naughty and nice boys and girls?
“Yes, there really is a list. But, it seems at Christmas I am always able to find some nice in even the naughtiest of children.”
How do you get down the chimney?
“When all houses had chimneys it wasn’t a problem. But then stoves came along and not everyone had a chimney for me to climb down.
“To solve that problem, I had to call on my elf friends. They devised a clever way for me to get around that.”
So, do you walk through the walls with elf magic?
“That’s a very clever guess. But, I cannot reveal my secrets.”
Why doesn’t Mrs. Claus help you on Christmas Eve?
“Mrs. Claus is the brains behind the whole deal. You may have heard the saying, ‘Behind every great man, is a great woman.’”
“That is very true of Mrs. Claus. She helps me fatten up. She works hard to help me get the elves and plans organized.
When I leave to deliver the presents there is a terrible mess left behind. Mrs. Claus helps the elves clean up and begins getting organized for the next year. Without Mrs. Claus I don’t know what I would do.”
Is There More Than One Santa Claus?
“There is only one true Santa Claus. However, Santa has many, many helpers. Some of them dress up like Santa at Christmas season to help me learn what girls and boys want.”
How long is your beard?
“It is exactly one-and-a-half times the length of a young elf.”
Why do you wear red?
“Mrs. Claus made my first suit. Mrs. Claus said she chose red because it is such a bright and cheery color.”
Do you get presents?
“Yes, indeed I do. The best gifts are smiles on the faces of the children.”
