What does Santa Claus mean to you?
Santa Claus brings joy, happiness and excitement in life. Sometimes, Santa Claus dreams may bring negative news too. For instance, a dream in which people see Santa Claus in dirty dress is a sign or hardships. It means you will receive your rewards after a lot of hardship.
What are the different names for Santa Clause?
What are the different names for Santa Claus? Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary character originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts on Christmas Eve of toys and candy to well-behaved children, and either coal or nothing to naughty children.
What are some facts about Santa Claus?
Santa Claus is a very special figure, especially during the Christmas period. Also known as Father Christmas, Santa Claus is tasked with rewarding well-behaved children, especially on Christmas Day. The figure of Santa Claus is modeled after Saint Nicholas, who was a fourth century Greek bishop in the early church. Here are some facts that you ...
Where did Santa Claus originate from?
Where did Santa Claus come from? The Dutch are credited with transporting the legend of St. Nicholas (Sinterklaas) to New Amsterdam (now New York City), along with the custom of giving gifts and sweets to children on his feast day, December 6.
Who is Santa Claus in the Netherlands?
See also: Sinterklaas and Saint Nicholas. In the Netherlands and Belgium, the character of Santa Claus has to compete with that of Sinterklaas/Saint Nicolas, Santa's presumed progenitor. Santa Claus is known as de Kerstman in Dutch ("the Christmas man") and Père Noël ("Father Christmas") in French.
Who is Santa Claus based on?
The modern character of Santa Claus was based on traditions surrounding the historical Saint Nicholas (a fourth-century Greek bishop and gift-giver of Myra ), the English figure of Father Christmas, and the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas (also based on Saint Nicholas).
Why is Santa Claus a benevolent character?
The image of Santa Claus as a benevolent character became reinforced with its association with charity and philanthropy, particularly by organizations such as the Salvation Army. Volunteers dressed as Santa Claus typically became part of fundraising drives to aid needy families at Christmas time.
Why is Santa Claus red and white?
The popularity of the image spawned urban legends that Santa Claus was invented by The Coca-Cola Company or that Santa wears red and white because they are the colors used to promote the Coca-Cola brand. Coca-Cola's competitor Pepsi-Cola used similar Santa Claus paintings in its advertisements in the 1940s and 1950s. Historically, Coca-Cola was not the first soft drink company to utilize the modern image of Santa Claus in its advertising— White Rock Beverages had already used a red and white Santa to sell mineral water in 1915 and then in advertisements for its ginger ale in 1923. Earlier still, Santa Claus had appeared dressed in red and white and essentially in his current form on several covers of Puck magazine in the first few years of the 20th century.
Why were Christmas celebrations banned in the Soviet Union?
Under the Marxist–Leninist doctrine of state atheism in the Soviet Union after its foundation in 1917, Christmas celebrations —along with other religious holidays—were prohibited as a result of the Soviet antireligious campaign. The League of Militant Atheists encouraged school pupils to campaign against Christmas traditions, among them being Santa Claus and the Christmas tree, as well as other Christian holidays including Easter; the League established an antireligious holiday to be the 31st of each month as a replacement.
How does Santa enter a house?
In the Italian Befana tradition, the gift-giving witch is perpetually covered with soot from her trips down the chimneys of children's homes. In the tale of Saint Nicholas, the saint tossed coins through a window, and, in a later version of the tale, down a chimney when he finds the window locked. In Dutch artist Jan Steen 's painting, The Feast of Saint Nicholas, adults and toddlers are glancing up a chimney with amazement on their faces while other children play with their toys. The hearth was held sacred in primitive belief as a source of beneficence, and popular belief had elves and fairies bringing gifts to the house through this portal. Santa's entrance into homes on Christmas Eve via the chimney was made part of American tradition through the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" where the author described him as an elf.
What is Santa Claus's coat?
Santa Claus is generally depicted as a portly, jolly, white- bearded man, often with spectacles, wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs, white-fur-cuffed red trousers, red hat with white fur, and black leather belt and boots, carrying a bag full of gifts for children.
What do people call Santa Claus?
Santa Claus has many names across the world. Here is a huge list of what people call him from around the world. Georgia – Tovlis Papa [This is the country, not the state!] Iceland Yule Lads. The Yule Lads, Yuletide-lads, or Yulemen (Icelandic: jólasveinarnir or jólasveinar)
How many names are there for Santa Claus?
Check out this list of over 70 names for Santa around the world. #SantaClaus Click To Tweet
What does Santa Claus wear?
Also in some countries, he wears green while other countries he wears red. Some tid-bit info there. Here are what other countries call “Santa Claus“ Remember Christmas isn’t about Santa, or whatever name he goes by as listed below, but it is about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
When does Santa come?
Some countries Santa comes December 24, Christmas Eve or early Christmas Morning on December 25. In other countries he comes on January 6, Day of Epiphany. I even read where in Serbia he comes on CHRISTmas Eve.
Why did Jesus die on the cross?
Jesus Christ obediently died on the cross to save us from our sins. He arose three days later and now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. The Christmas Story. The Christmas Story – Courageous Christian Father.
How did Santa Claus get his name?
The name Santa Claus evolved from Nick’s Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for Saint Nicholas). In 1804, John Pintard, a member of the New York Historical Society, distributed woodcuts of St. Nicholas at the society’s annual meeting. The background of the engraving contains now-familiar Santa images including stockings filled with toys and fruit hung over a fireplace. In 1809, Washington Irving helped to popularize the Sinter Klaas stories when he referred to St. Nicholas as the patron saint of New York in his book, The History of New York. As his prominence grew, Sinter Klaas was described as everything from a “rascal” with a blue three-cornered hat, red waistcoat, and yellow stockings to a man wearing a broad-brimmed hat and a “huge pair of Flemish trunk hose.”
Who is the real Santa Claus?
Perhaps the most iconic department store Santa is Kris Kringle in the 1947 classic Santa Claus movie “Miracle on 34 Street.”. A young Natalie Wood played a little girl who believes Kris Kringle (played by Edmund Gwenn, who won an Oscar for the role) when he says he is the real Santa Claus.
What is Santa Claus's sleigh?
In the United States, Santa Claus is often depicted as flying from his home to home on Christmas Eve to deliver toys to children. He flies on his magic sleigh led by his reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph. Santa enters each home through the chimney, which is why empty Christmas stockings—once empty socks, now often dedicated stockings made for the occasion—are “hung by the Chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there,” as Clement Clarke Moore wrote in his famous poem. Stockings can be filled with candy canes and other treats or small toys.
When did Santa Claus become popular?
St. Nicholas made his first inroads into American popular culture towards the end of the 18th century. In December 1773, and again in 1774, a New York newspaper reported that groups of Dutch families had gathered to honor the anniversary of his death. The name Santa Claus evolved from Nick’s Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, ...
What is Nicholas' feast day?
His feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death, December 6. This was traditionally considered a lucky day to make large purchases or to get married.
What are the Christmas traditions in the United States?
Christmas Traditions in the United States. The Ninth Reindeer, Rudolph. Santa Claus—otherwise known as Saint Nicholas or Kris Kringle—has a long history steeped in Christmas traditions. Today, he is thought of mainly as the jolly man in red who brings toys to good girls and boys on Christmas Eve, but his story stretches all the way back to ...
When did Santa Claus start advertising?
Stores began to advertise Christmas shopping in 1820, and by the 1840s, newspapers were creating separate sections for holiday advertisements, which often featured images of the newly-popular Santa Claus. In 1841, thousands of children visited a Philadelphia shop to see a life-size Santa Claus model.
Where did Santa Claus originate?
The concept actually originated from Saint Nicholas, a patron saint famous for giving generous gifts to the poor. The pronunciation of Saint Nicholasin Dutch is Sinnterklaas,which is where the name Santa Clauscame from! Bet you never knew that, eh?
How many different names are there for Santa Claus?
So there you have it – 10 different names for Santa Claus from around the world, plus a bunch of traditions and interpretations of him.
What do you leave for Santa?
Some families will leave a snack for him for his travels. In the UK, it’s common to leave a mince pie (a traditional festive pastry) and a glass of whisky / sherry for Santa, and a carrot for the reindeer!
When does Santa Claus give out presents?
The man behind the Spanish name for Santa Claus is commonly known to give out presents on 24th December or 25th December (from Papa Noel), or on 6th January (from the Three Kings).
When does Santa come down the chimney?
He comes down the chimney the night before Christmas (between 24 and 25 December), leaving presents for children under the Christmas tree! Children often leave Christmas stockings by the fireplace that Santa can fill with small gifts and sweets.
Where does the name Kris Kringle come from?
In the US and Canada, some people call him Kris Kringle, which originates from the German word Christkind(Christ child).
What is the Chinese name for Santa Claus?
Dun Che Lao Ren (China) Dun Che Lao Ren is the primary name used for Santa Claus in Chinese Christmas traditions. This name translates into old Christmas man. Children hang stockings made of muslin for Dun Che Lao Ren to fill with presents. Alternately, some people in China refer to Santa as Lan Khoong-Khoong, which means nice old father.
What is the Hawaiian word for Santa Claus?
Kanakaloka ( Hawaii) Kanakaloka is the Hawaiian language word for Santa Claus. Hawaii isn’t the best place to travel by sleigh wearing a heavy fur suit, so Kanakaloka does things a bit differently than Santa Claus. He travels via a canoe with outriggers rather than in a sleigh.
What does Santa Claus do in Finland?
Joulupukki visits homes to distribute presents to children, but doesn’t do it in secret. Instead, Joulupukki knocks on the front door or rings the doorbell to signal his arrival. Families often serenade him with Christmas carols. He travels by a reindeer-pulled sleigh, but his reindeer don’t fly.
What is Santa Claus called in Portugal?
In Portugal, Santa Claus is called Pai Noel . The story of Pai Noel closely follows other Santa Claus traditions, with Pai Noel making a furtive visit to homes on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to children once they are soundly sleeping.
What is Santa Claus' cloak called?
In France, Santa Claus is called Père Noël, He is typically depicted in a white fur cloak with an attached hood, which he typically wears pulled up over his head. He travels by reindeer-pulled sleigh and visits homes to secretly leave presents for children. He doesn’t fill stockings, but rather places goodies in children’s slippers or shoes, which they leave out for him before going to bed on Christmas Eve. Rather than leaving milk for Santa to drink, French children are likely to pour him a glass of wine.
What is Babbo Natale?
Babbo Natale (Italy) Translated as Daddy Christmas, Babbo Natale is the Italian name for Santa Claus. Per Italian Christmas tradition, Babbo Natale visits homes on Christmas Eve to leave presents, but he is not the only giver of secret gifts associated with the Christmas season in that country. On January 5, which is the night before ...
What is the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus?
Ded Moroz (Russia) The Russian equivalent of Santa Claus is Ded Moroz, which translates to English as grandfather frost. Ded Moroz carries a staff and is accompanied by horses instead of reindeer. He most commonly appears in a blue robe lined in fur, though he is sometimes shown in a red or metallic robe.
What does Holly Claus wear?
She is a beautiful woman with pretty white hair and rosy cheeks. She wears glasses and speaks in a gentle, loving tone. Those who have met Holly Claus say she is very kind and funny.
Why is a holly tree considered sacred?
Before the plant was hung as a Christmas decoration, it was considered a sacred tree because it remained green and healthy even when other trees wilted in the winter weather.
Who wrote Santa Claus and his old lady?
In 1971, comedy duo Cheech and Chong released their take on Mr. and Mrs. Claus in a skit entitled " Santa Claus and His Old Lady ," in which Cheech is trying to write his version of a classic Hispanic Christmas song, and explains (in his own way) the origin of Santa and Mrs. Claus to his always-stoned friend, Chong.
Where did the story of Santa Claus' wife come from?
Origin. The wife of Santa Claus is first mentioned in the short story "A Christmas Legend" (1849), by James Rees, a Philadelphia -based Christian missionary. In the story, an old man and woman, both carrying a bundle on the back, are given shelter in a home on Christmas Eve as weary travelers.
How the Saints saved Christmas DLC?
In Saints Row IV How the Saints Saved Christmas DLC, Mrs. Claus appears along with her husband. Her first name is revealed to be Janine. While she is mostly Santa's sweet, caring, and devoted wife, she is also a tough, capable fighter ("decking the halls" as Santa puts it), and unlike her husband quick to reveal the truth behind the nature of the "North Pole", the changes in to standards of what is considered Naughty, what happened the one time Santa let someone else drive the sleigh with his reindeer, among other things. Her personality and attitude earn Mrs. Claus some respect from the Saints Boss.
When did Lill travel to Santa Claus Land?
Lill's Travels in Santa Claus Land, 1878, at Project Gutenberg. Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh-Ride, 1889, by Katherine Lee Bates, original edition and text. The Origin of American Christmas Myth and Customs. v.
Why does Tim Allen marry in The Santa Clause 2?
The 2002 movie The Santa Clause 2 centers on Tim Allen 's character being forced to marry in order to continue his role as Santa. The "Mrs. Clause" confirms why every Santa has had a Mrs. Claus, because it is part of the Santa Clause. He ultimately finds genuine love in Carol Newman ( Elizabeth Mitchell ), the principal of his son Charlie's school, and in The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, she deals with being Mrs. Claus, having a baby, and being separated from her family.
Who wrote Annalina the Untold Story of Mrs Claus?
Annalina: The Untold Story of Mrs. Claus by Adam Greenwood , 2011, tells the tale of the young woman who will one day become Mrs Claus. It has been adapted into a storybook for young children with coloring pictures and serves as the pilot for a series of novellas about various different characters from the story.
Who is the actress in the ad for Mrs Claus?
The ad was directed by Academy-award winner Tom Hooper with Mrs Claus played by British actress Janet McTeer. Music was composed by Rachel Portman. The ad was created for Marks & Spencer by advertising agency Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe, a London-based division of Young & Rubican .
Overview
Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a legendary character originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring children gifts on Christmas Eve of toys and candy or coal or nothing, depending on whether they are "naughty or nice". He supposedly accomplishes this with the aid of Christmas elves, who make the toys in his wo…
Predecessor figures
History
In popular culture
Traditions and rituals
Criticism
See also
• Amu Nowruz
• Ayaz Ata — Grandfather Frost in Turkic folklore
• Badalisc
• Befana — a friendly witch who delivers gifts to children on 5 January.
Further reading
• Joffe-Walt, Chana (19 December 2012). "Without Magic, Santa Would Need 12 Million Employees". All Things Considered. NPR. Retrieved 20 December 2012.