Santa Claus originally wore green – here’s how it changed forever

While the image of Santa Claus in a vibrant red suit is synonymous with Christmas, this wasn’t always the case. As the years roll by, Christmas traditions evolve, with many either fading into obscurity or becoming outdated.

For instance, during the Victorian era in Britain, exchanging simple gifts like fruit and nuts was a common Yuletide practice. Yet, several customs from this period persist today, such as adorning Christmas trees or serving a turkey as the centrepiece of the festive feast.

However, one particular image that has vanished from our modern celebrations is Father Christmas donned in a green suit, a sight that would have been commonplace in Victorian times. Interestingly, while the green attire was popular for St Nicholas, he was often depicted in an array of colours, including white, yellow, and occasionally blue.

Why is Santa now seen wearing red?

It was only at the dawn of the 20th Century that Father Christmas began to be linked with a red suit. This image firmly took root in the public’s imagination following a widely circulated Coca-Cola advertisement in the 1930s.

In 1931, the fizzy drink behemoth Coca-Cola launched a revolutionary advert. Archie Lee from the D’Arcy Advertising Agency collaborated with Coca-Cola to create an advertisement that aimed to depict Santa as a more wholesome and jovial character.

The company enlisted Haddon Sundblom, a Michigan-based illustrator, to produce a series of images featuring Santa.

From 1931 to 1964, these Coca-Cola advertisements showcased many of the iconic symbols we now associate with Father Christmas, such as delivering gifts, reading letters, and donning a vibrant red suit. These adverts graced billboards, calendars, posters, and even plush dolls, many of which, according to Coca-Cola, have become sought-after collectables.

The company reveals that Sundblom painted his original Santa image using his friend, a retired salesman, as the live model.

Santa’s evolution

While Coca-Cola’s advertising campaign is often hailed for popularising the cheery red Santa we recognise today, it’s crucial to remember that the figure has been moulded by a myriad of influences throughout history. The character we know as Santa Claus originated from Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop and patron saint of children.

The modern-day Santa Claus is largely a fusion of St Nicholas, the Dutch ‘Sinter Klaas’, and the English Father Christmas – a figure embodying the spirit of Christmas in English tradition since at least the 15th century. Some speculate that Santa’s iconic image, especially his beard and winter travels, may have been inspired by tales of the Norse god Odin.

These legends would likely have permeated British culture during the Viking invasion, which began as early as the 8th century.