David Castleton (Author) on Nostr: Santa Claus and Father Christmas were once separate figures. Father Christmas was an ...

Santa Claus and Father Christmas were once separate figures. Father Christmas was an anti-Puritan character who emerged during the English Civil War and Interregnum, when celebrating Christmas was banned. Appearing in pamphlets, he contrasted the fun and games of the traditional Christmas with the Puritans' dour fundamentalism. Santa Claus developed in New York in the 1800s, with input from the folklore of St Nicholas, brought over by European immigrants. His global popularity got a boost when Coca-Cola used him in an advertising campaign. Coke even patented the shade of red of Santa's clothes. My article: https://www.davidcastleton.net/old-father-christmas-coca-cola-history-santa-claus/ #Christmas #folklore #history #SantaClaus #Yule #weird #Christmas2024