The Modern Santa

When we think of Santa Claus we think of a fat man with a red cloak and a long, white beard. Surprisingly this image is only a recent one.

Much of our modern idea of Santa and his famous costume actually comes from the 19th century. One of the first examples on record is a woodcut from the year 1804 which shows Saint Nicholas surrounded by piles of toys and stuffed stockings.

Santa's real breakthrough came in 1822 when Clement Clarke Moore (or Major Henry Livingstone Jr) wrote the famous poem "A Visit From Saint Nicholas" - better known as "The Night Before Christmas". In this poem Santa is described as having a broad face and red nose, being chubby and plump and having a white beard. He carries a sack of presents on his back and travels on a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer.

Twas the night before Christmas and the modern Santa Claus had well and truly arrived. He went on to star in songs such as I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, as well as a stream of movies. There's even a town named after him in Spencer County, Indiana!