Everyone loves Santa Claus during the holidays. However, the history behind the red suit is surprisingly complex. For instance, he did not always wear red clothing. Furthermore, he has an official Canadian passport. Consequently, these holiday secrets will change how you see Christmas. Therefore, grab some milk and cookies for this festive journey. You will definitely learn something new.
Santa Claus
Santa Claus did not always wear red. Originally, artists depicted him in green, brown, or tan suits. However, Coca-Cola ads popularized the red version.
St. Nicholas was a real person. In fact, he lived in modern-day Turkey during the fourth century. Famously, he gave gold to the people.
He has an official pilot license. Specifically, the US government gave Santa Claus a license in 1927. Thus, he travels the skies legally.
Canada gave him a real passport. Moreover, his citizenship is officially Canadian. Therefore, he can cross borders easily on Christmas Eve.
Santa Claus has his own postal code. For example, kids in Canada send letters to H0H 0H0. Consequently, volunteers answer these letters every year.
The Dutch originally called him Sinterklaas. Eventually, this name morphed into the English name we use today. Thus, it sounds very similar.
He did not always have reindeer. Instead, in early poems, he drove a simple wagon. However, the reindeer appeared in literature much later.
Rudolph was actually a marketing gimmick. Specifically, a copywriter created the red-nosed reindeer in 1939 to sell books. As a result, it became a hit.
Santa Claus was a bachelor for centuries. In fact, Mrs. Claus only appeared in stories in the mid-1800s. Therefore, she arrived quite late.
He receives millions of letters annually. Uniquely, the French postal service responds to every letter addressed to him. Thus, they are very efficient.
Odin influenced the Santa myth. Historically, the Norse god flew through the sky on an eight-legged horse. Consequently, this likely inspired the sleigh.
He visits 822 homes per second. To do this, Santa Claus must travel at supersonic speeds. Therefore, he defies normal physics.
Bad kids used to get coal. However, in Italy, a witch named La Befana leaves garlic instead. Thus, it is a pungent punishment.
He goes by many different names. For instance, in England, he is Father Christmas. Meanwhile, French children call him Père Noël.
Finally, Santa Claus was once banned. For example, Puritans outlawed Christmas in the 1600s because they disliked the festivities.
