Many people believe he was invented by Coca-Cola, for others it’s just a commercially driven character.

The facts are a bit more difficult to discover. The reality that Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ has little impact on the retail world. Jesus doesn’t drive people to spend money on gifts they often can’t afford. Father Christmas fits the need to get people spending. When did you last see a picture of the baby Jesus in a shop window?


Where did this all start?

However, the origins and history of this iconic figure are often debated. Some argue that the modern image of Father Christmas is based on a marketing campaign, while others believe that the figure has roots in European folklore. Personally, I have no doubts that his routes are in commercial ‘greed’.

Is the modern image of Father Christmas based on a marketing campaign? In the 19th century, companies such as Coca-Cola used the image of Father Christmas in their advertising. The image of Father Christmas as a jolly, rotund figure in a red suit was popularised by these companies. This image has since become the dominant representation of Father Christmas. While this may seem like a trivial fact, it speaks to the power of marketing and advertising to shape cultural icons and traditions.

The origins of Father Christmas are rooted in European folklore. Father Christmas is based on figures such as Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, and Odin. These figures were associated with gift-giving and the winter solstice. The modern image of Father Christmas incorporates elements from these earlier figures, such as the gift-giving and the association with the winter season. This demonstrates the importance of cultural traditions and the ways in which they are passed down through generations.


Father Christmas adapts to meet the needs of commerce

The story of Father Christmas has evolved over time. The image is in constant adaption, all with the same objective, to get us to spend more money. That’s probably a bit harsh, but it’s not far from the truth. The earliest stories of Father Christmas were focused on gift-giving and charity. The modern story of Father Christmas includes elements such as his workshop at the North Pole and his team of reindeer. Is this stretching the imagination a bit? One Father Christmas, one sleigh, and a few poor reindeer, all delivering ‘homemade’ gifts to all corners of the World. Even more, all in one night. You may speculate that there are very few chimneys for him to climb down in this age of air conditioning and central heating.

The modern image of Father Christmas has become a ‘beloved’ cultural icon. The image of Father Christmas is recognized around the world. The image of Father Christmas apparently brings joy to children and adults alike. The image of Father Christmas has become a symbol of generosity and goodwill. This demonstrates the power of cultural icons to bring people together and create a sense of shared community. Let’s be honest, how many children these days still believe their presents are delivered by Santa Claus? Perhaps Santa Claus has done a deal with Amazon, but I doubt it.


Reindeers under threat

The Daily Mail recently wrote ‘British firm which operates 'exclusive' reindeer hunting trips over Christmas holidays blasted as 'evil' by Sir Ranulph Fiennes’. What will Father Christmas do without reindeer? Perhaps he will have to use Amazon.

The origins of Father Christmas are rooted in traditions that are still celebrated today. Many European countries still celebrate Saint Nicholas Day or Sinterklaas. The story of Father Christmas is part of a larger tradition of winter solstice celebrations. These traditions have cultural and historical significance that are celebrated. This demonstrates the importance of preserving cultural traditions and recognising their historical and cultural significance.


The many faces of Father Christmas

In conclusion, the story of Father Christmas is a complex and multifaceted one. While some may argue that the modern image of Father Christmas is based on a marketing campaign, others believe that the figure has roots in European folklore. Regardless of its origins, Father Christmas has apparently become a ‘beloved’ cultural icon that brings joy and happiness to people around the world. That’s if they actually believe all the hype.

The story of Father Christmas continues to evolve, reflecting changes in our society and the ongoing desire to create new and ‘exciting’ Christmas traditions. More to the point, he develops new ideas to encourage us to spend yet more money on gifts we may, or may not, need. It’s said that kids often play more with the box their gifts come in than the actual gift. That tells you a lot.


The colourful ‘con man’

Let’s face it, Father Christmas is a colourful ‘con man’ with little or no value other than to squeeze money out of us and drive us into the shops (or onto the internet). As a committed Christian, I wish we would remember what Christmas is really about, but that is optional. Meanwhile, see what Father Christmas really is, your kids had it worked out years ago.

Author

Resident in Portugal for 50 years, publishing and writing about Portugal since 1977. Privileged to have seen, firsthand, Portugal progress from a dictatorship (1974) into a stable democracy. 

Paul Luckman