The Untold Story of Father Christmas

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Christmas! And with that comes the joyous arrival of the other iconic festive figure – Santa Claus! Nevertheless, the festive season continues to celebrate family, generosity, and love – with the added bonus of a cheerful old man in a red suit who brings happiness to children everywhere. Is Father Christmas real? Mills' book illustrations are included in the collections of Keene State University, University of Connecticut at Storrs, and the Mazza Collection, Finlay, Ohio. By the end of the 19th century, Punch magazine had depicted two versions of the gift giver extraordinaire. ‘Father Christmas not-up-to-date’ was an outdated figure focused solely on festive food, while ‘Father Christmas up-to-date’ was a modern, car-driving figure delivering fun toys. The English Father Christmas had now almost completely evolved into the American Santa Claus in all but name.

The first known depiction of Father Christmas as a gift-giver was in a 17th-century with an image that bears a striking resemblance to the modern-day version of Father Christmas. Once plagued by boisterous behaviour led by the ‘Lord of Misrule’ and unruly children, the festivities were redefined by the Victorians as a time for children, religion and charity. According to historians, Santa first appeared in England in 1864, co-starring with Father Christmas in a story by American author Susanna Warner. In her tale, Santa brought gifts while Father Christmas appeared in a pantomime-type of play.

Before England had its beloved Father Christmas, Europe had Sinterklaas – a figure with a dark past, a legend that would eventually inspire the festive icon we know today. Santa had been ‘invented’ by New Yorkers who had in turn been inspired by their Dutch neighbours. He was then embraced by Victorians searching for a family-friendly tradition to share at Christmas. Then in 1821, a poem called ‘Old Santeclaus with Much Delight’ was published that described Santa wearing a red coat, a riding a sleigh pulled by reindeer. By now, the traditional day for the delivery of presents had moved from St Nicholas’ Day to Christmas Eve. oooOooo The Untold Story of Father Christmas How a toymaker became a father to children around the world? Since its launch over 100 thousand families have stepped through the magical doorway at Lapland UK. They help the elves prepare for Christmas Eve, and meet Eeko, Whittle and Pixie Mixie as well as Mother and Father Christmas themselves.

Two years afterwards, Clement Clark Moore embellished the legend further in his poem ‘The Night Before Christmas’. This version of Santa was very different to the others, and he was now a ‘right jolly old elf’ with old clothes damaged by soot and ashes. He also had dimples, twinkling eyes, and a white beard. From jolly old man to winter sprite, Father Christmas has taken many forms over the centuries. But how did this allegorical figure become the iconic symbol of the festivities we know and love today? Who is Father Christmas? St Nicholas’s reputation spread after 1087 when his relics were moved to Italy. Over time, the stories about generously providing gold to those in need led to the tradition of leaving gifts on the evening before St Nicholas’s Day, the 6th of December. This is also when Sinterklaas entertainers would don red bishops’ outfits to delight crowds and special markets sold toys and treats for the occasion. It’s also worth noting that it is a myth that Coca-Cola invented Santa, the fizzy-pop-pushers didn’t begin to use Santa to advertise their drinks until the 1930s.By modern standards, the Grinch – a modern day fictional character who hates Christmas – is relatively tame in comparison with the likes of the ‘Old Man Whipper’ and no-one gets kidnapped today. While St Nicholas, the man who is the source of the legend was born in the third century, the medieval period saw the origins of a Father Christmas character, when he was known as the Lord of Misrule and someone acting in his name would be appointed to oversee the festivities of the Christmas season and engage in revelry and merry making.

Starting in the Middle Ages as Sir Christmas, he is the spirit and personification of Christmas. He is part of the separate folk tradition of Yule.During the English Civil War, criticism of Christmas by Puritans increased, this led to Parliament banning Christmas altogether in 1647. Shown with a fur-trimmed, old-fashioned gown and a white beard In York, another possible precursor to Father Christmas was celebrated in a festival called the ‘Yule Ridings.’ It took place on December 21st and featured a man disguised as Yule – usually a man-sized goat – carrying meat and cake through the streets and throwing nuts into the crowd. However, in 1572, the event was banned due to complaints of ‘very rude and barbarous’ behaviour.