The Untold Story of Father Christmas

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But hold your reindeer, did you know that the beloved man in red wasn’t always the jolly old elf we know and love today?

Contrary to popular belief, Santa Claus did not always exist in English folklore. It took some time for him to become the beloved character he is today. 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!It explains the role of the Post Office in helping Santa to reply to children in the UK every year. 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. Over time, stories about Saint Nicholas were passed down through generations. His lifelong charity was often celebrated by gift giving on the anniversary of his death on 6 December. Of course, Santa Claus is real! Who would say he wasn’t? Who delivers all of those presents to children around the world every year? After the Restoration in 1660, Father Christmas reappeared and became a mainstay of stage plays for the next 200 years.

In it, Father Christmas reads a story for children about how he came into being – and how he is such an iconic figure 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. The mass production of cards during the Victorian era helped to spread the festive spirit far and wide.