A Christmas Story: "All About Santa Claus"
The history of the Santa Claus tradition as we know Santa Claus today, with a red Santa suit and Santa hat, first emerged when Dutch settlers came to Manhattan on Christmas day 1624. Sinterklaas, the good saint in Holland, was named the patron of their home in America. In Holland, Sinterklaas (Santa Claus) wore a red robe while riding a white horse and carried a bag of presents to fill the children's stockings. A sinister assistant called black Pete proceeded Sinterklaasin. He sought out the naughty boys and girls who would not receive gifts. Black Pete, to the delight of all the American children, was left behind in Holland by Sinterklaas. By the late 1600s and through out the 1700s Sinterklaas would be known as Sancte Clause who would arrive on Christmas eve December 24.
It was not until the 1800s that Santa Claus, as we know Santa Claus today, started to emerge. Writers and artists depicted a lovable jolly fellow, small in size with a giving heart. Santa Claus would ride in a sleigh pulled by magical reindeer flying across the night sky. Landing on roof tops Santa Claus would drop gifts down the chimneys of the good boys and girls.
In the early 1820’s Clement Moore describes St. Nicholas as dressed in a fur lined Santa suit and red Santa hat, with rosy dimpled cheeks and a red cherry nose. Santa's face was broad with a snow-white beard. He was chubby and plump with a little round belly that shook like a bowl full of jelly.
The Santa Claus picture drawn by Thomas Nast gave Americans a Santa Claus wearing a Santa suit and Santa hat that looked and behaved like a real person. His Santa Claus image depicted Santa reading letters from children, making his delivery lists, and toys year around in Santa Claus' workshop at the north pole.
The final image of Santa Claus, as we know Santa Claus today, came in the 1931 drawing by Haddon Sundblom. His version of the Santa Claus picture was a life size figure with the spirit of an elf resembling Clement Moore's written description of Santa Claus. Santa Claus wore a red Santa suit and red Santa hat trimmed in white fur and wearing black boots, wide black belt and black gloves.
The arrival of Santa Claus on Christmas eve has become one of the most notable events of the Christmas holiday season. The Santa Claus we recognize today, wearing the red Santa suit and Santa hat, symbolizes love, caring, and gift giving of the Christmas season.
A Merry Christmas and to All a Good Night!
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