How Santa Claus Came to Be

Santa Claus is usually portrayed wearing a red suit and hat.

​Every wonder how Santa Claus became associated with Christmas? Confused by the references to St. Nicholas, Belsnickel and Woodland Santa? Here's a short history of the many identities  associated with the jolly old elf.

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It all began with St. Nick

​Santa Claus, the secular hero of Christmas for generations, dates back to the fourth century and the region of Asia Minor. A young man named Nicholas (also spelled “Nicolas” or Nikolas”) was orphaned and left a wealthy young man. His generous deeds led to his sainthood. The gift-giving traditions centered around St. Nicholas were later co-opted by the early Christian church, to compel pagans to worship the Christ child.

St. Nicholas became a saint in recognition of his generous deeds in the community.

Father Christmas for Grown Ups

Father Christmas, a variation on Saint Nicholas, was associated with adult revelry. The Victorian era brought a return to the idea of St. Nick as a gift giver whose purpose was to delight small children.

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Along came Belsnickel

​Belsnickel (also referred to as Belsnickle, Belznickel and Belschnickel) is a figure originating in German lore. Generally portrayed as a more serious figure than the jovial Santa Claus beloved by Americans, Belsnickel represents both the dark and the light sides of the Christmas holiday. He’s often depicted with a dour (or at least neutral) expression on his face and is known to wear simple, drab robes. He carries a branch or “switch” in one hand, which he uses to swat naughty children. He may also carry treats of candies, cakes, nuts and fruits, which he gives to well-behaved children, however, some reserve this more friendly role for Kirshkinkle (KrisKringle). His arrival comes several weeks in advance of December 25. The Belsnickel mythology was brought to the United States by the Pennsylvania Dutch, for whom the name translates to variations on Pelznickel.

Belsnickel likes to carry a switch.

American children are most familiar with Ms. Winship's interpretation of Santa Claus.

Santa Claus, the jovial elf

​Modern-day Santa Claus evolved from the re-imagining of Saint Nicholas by Washington Irving at the turn of the nineteenth century. There was a tug-of-war in the religious community, as the Puritans disapproved of pagan holidays. Literary work re-imagined Santa Claus as a gift-giving jovial elf (think Night Before Christmas, famously illustrated by Florence Sarah Winship). That imagining has persisted in our culture to this day, where Santa is in charge of toy-making elves and flying reindeer.

Woodland Santa is friends with the forest animals.

Woodland Santa is magical, too

​Woodland Santa, portrayed as a friend to animals, is another variation of Saint Nicholas. He may be dressed in brown or white robes, sometimes fur lined, but often less elegant than the ermine and red velvet garb of his counterpart. He’s frequently shown with birds perched on his arms or head and forest friends at his feet.

Which Santa do you believe in?

No matter which Santa figure you feel the most affinity for, you'll find a figure or ornament for your collection in the Cool Vintage Finds Store on eBay.  And have a very Merry Christmas, for one and for all!