Santa Claus

When it comes to Christmas, the indispensable figure is none other than ‘Santa Claus’ – an old man in a heartwarming red suit, dedicated to fulfilling the dreams of every child. He often appears on Christmas Eve with his sleigh, accompanied by reindeer, to journey and deliver gifts to children. Yet, despite his widespread fame, few truly know the origin of this kind-hearted old man. Today, we’ll unveil his story! If someone asked us to draw Santa Claus, we might sketch a chubby old man in a red suit and boots, seated on a sleigh alongside his reindeers. But did you know that the familiar image of Santa Clause actually originated from a 1930 Coca-Cola advertisement? They chose a kind-hearted old man dressed in red to represent their brand’s color, and since then, the depiction of Santa has stuck with us. The tale and inspiration behind Santa Clause stem from a real historical figure known as ‘Saint Nicholas’. Widely recognized for his generosity, he was so revered that the people of Holland named him ‘Sinterklaas’ as a mark of respect. Later, when they migrated to the United States, the people of Holland carried forth his culture and belief, spreading awareness of this saint. However, his name underwent a transformation from ‘Sinterklaas’ to the familiar ‘Santa Claus’ we know today. While there isn’t concrete evidence regarding the origins of Saint Nicholas, a story passed down suggests that in the 4th century, he climbed onto the roof of a poor girl’s house and dropped a bag of coins down the chimney, presenting it as a gift to her. Serendipitously, the bag of coins landed in the stockings hung by the fireplace, leading to the tradition of hanging stockings for Santa’s gifts. Although the history of Santa Claus might be a legend somewhat distorted from reality, the tale of this saint’s kindness remains remarkably impressive, evolving into a symbol of hope and the joyous celebrations we continue to cherish today.