By Pauline Weston Thomas for Fashion-Era.com
St Nicolas History
St Nicholas was a bishop in Asia minor in Myra in the 4th century. History suggests he was a charitable, kindly man, although little is known about him. With time he became the patron saint of many people including the patron saint of children.
He became linked to the giving of gifts for good actions in the 1200s and the withdrawal of favours for bad actions hence the idea that St. Nick could tell if you'd been bad and would reward or not, good or evil accordingly.
This gift bearer's name was changed/merged in the late Victorian era around 1870 to Santa Claus and there is also some association with a similar gift bearer found in literature called Kriss Kringle. Saint Nicholas was recognized as the bearer of gifts and so Santa Claus became that same gift-bringer. Another name used was that of Father Christmas.
As mass-produced goods became more available Christmas slowly gained commercial momentum. The emergence of Father Christmas was a peculiarly British concept. He was also aligned to the then comparatively subtle mass advertising compared to today that suggested a jolly friendly tubby person was connected to the bringing of gifts.
Older Pictures of Father Christmas Wearing Blue or Green Robes
Dependant on the country, gifts to celebrate Christmas are given as early as 5 December and as late as Twelfth Night, which marks the end of Epiphany's on 6 January. The wealthy also gave boxes of gifts to servants and the less well off on the day after Christmas Day.
The 26th December once celebrated as St. Stephen's Day then became known as Boxing Day. Every day of Epiphany merited a present in times of old and this custom is recognized in the carol the Twelve days of Christmas.
Other Names for Santa Claus
While the Americans introduced the name Santa Claus in the 19th century, other countries also have names for this famous Christmas character, Saint Nicholas or San Nicolás, Père Noël, Papa Noel, Babbo Natale, Papai Noel, and Kris Kringle.
Santa Claus - Coca-Cola invention
The jolly robust icon of Santa Claus dressed in red that we know today, really was an advertisement marketing invention of Coca Cola. Mid Victorian Santa pictures are easily recognizable by children today, but some of the older pictures show Santa or more correctly St. Nicholas in green or blue robes.
