TRP Adventskalender 14 – Santa Claus

14

In 10 days we celebrate Christmas. Unlike in America, the Christ Child brings presents on December 24th. In the USA and Canada, Santa Claus is in charge of this. The presents are also given there either in the evening of the 24th or in the morning hours of the 25th of December. But where does this traditional figure actually come from?

The origin of the Santa Claus

Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, finds its origin in the western culture. Children who have behaved well throughout the year receive their gifts from him on Christmas Eve. It is also quite common to hang up the traditional Christmas stockings on the evening of the 24th, which are intended for small gifts. Milk and cookies are then provided for Santa - after all, the man with the white beard has to eat a lot during so many house calls. The presents are then given the following day. But first of all, of course, it has to be checked whether the provisions have disappeared!

„Christmas Eve“ J. Hoover & Son, 1878

The basis for the figure of the bearded man comes from the Northern European countries. There a certain Sinterclaas brings the gifts. This custom was finally brought to America by settlers from this European region. Sinterclaas became Santa Claus .

It is claimed that Dutch colonialists revived the Sinterclaas tradition during the American War of Independence. Originally, the day of Sinterclaas is December 06. It actually corresponds to the St. Nicholas Day that we know.