The History Of Santa Claus: How To Introduce Your Child To A Christmas Fairytale?

It is the dream of many children to meet Santa Claus in person. In some places in Europe, it may even become a reality because Santa Claus has a home not only in the Arctic.

It is said that Santa Claus, his wife, elves, and reindeer live in a secret place somewhere at the North Pole. There he receives children's wish lists and takes care of presents. However, it seems a little lonely at the North Pole. That could be why he's found a couple of houses in the center of Europe, which he visits regularly and is happy to have visitors.

Who is Santa Claus

Both adults and children love fairy tales. One of the fairy tale characters who can make dreams come true is Santa Claus. This magical older man is capable of performing miracles. Who is Santa Claus?

Santa Claus is a modern invention. In earlier centuries, St. Nicholas brought gifts to children on memorial day, December 6.

He often came at night — then children laid out their shoes or homemade ships, which they hoped to find in the morning filled with apples, nuts, and sweets.

The Evolution of Santa Claus:

• Martin Luther invented the Christ Child. In addition to this anonymous distribution of gifts, there were also retreat customs: St. Nicholas would come to the house accompanied by his servant Ruprecht ("Krampus" in Austria) to see if the children were good and if they were learning well. The historical model for Christmas is St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra in the 4th century, considered the patron saint of schoolchildren. In the Christmas custom, the figure of St. Nicholas was appropriately portrayed as a bishop with a broad cloak and miter.
• The birth of the magician in America. It was the German immigrant Thomas Nast who had in mind when he created "Santa Claus" in the United States in 1863, a mixture of German Nikolaus, Dutch Sinterklaas, and English Santa Claus, with a big belly and a furry hat. By 1930, the idea had become so widespread in Germany that about half of the children believed in Santa Claus.
• The prototype of Santa under the brand Coca-Cola. Santa Claus has been dressed in red and white since the 1920s. This made him the perfect mascot for Coca-Cola: since 1931, graphic artist Haddon Sandblom has designed annual advertising campaigns for the beverage company that spread the new — old — Christmas character worldwide.

By the way, Santa Claus is also known by other names. He is called Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, Samichlaus in Switzerland, and Kleeschen in Luxembourg. The English call him Santa Claus, and Per Noel visits children in France.

Where to see Santa Claus?

In Rovaniemi, above the Arctic Circle in Finland, there is an entire Santa Claus Village, open year-round. There, Joelupukki, the Finnish Santa Claus, greets the children and takes pictures. These one-time appointments are free. In addition, you can also see Santa's post office and visit Mrs. Santa Claus' house.

Two thousand kilometers south of the Arctic Circle is Nysseland, the Danish Museum of Christmas Elves, which Santa Claus also regularly visits. The elves, also known as Nissen, are the essential helpers of Santa Claus in Scandinavia. They help him wrap presents and wear a white beard and red cap like him. However, they are the size of a child.

A personal meeting with Santa Claus is also possible in Switzerland. Above the town of Montreux, on the shores of Lake Geneva, is the "House of Santa Claus" on Mount Rocher de Ne. Until December 24, children can meet him there. Prior registration and booking a ticket for the mountain railroad to the summit are necessary.

The man with the clouded beard has another home near Montreux. Just over the French border and only 30 minutes from Geneva, he lives in the small village of Andilly. In winter, the theme park is completely dedicated to the festival.

Visitors meet Papia Noel and his wife and sisters, who read fairy tales to the children. Father Fuettar, Ruprecht's French servant, also lives in the park.

Santa Claus can also be found in Germany. He, too, lives in the small Brandenburg town of Himmelpforth, which is only a two-hour drive from Berlin.

Santa Claus' helpers, angels, and elves help deliver gifts and make children's wishes come true. 

Santa Claus in Portugal is also not quite usual. His name is Pai de Natal — "Father Christmas. He does have Mãe de Natal — "Mother Christmas." She is the same age as his grandfather. Portuguese cities are more lavishly decorated for New Year's Eve than the rest of Europe. For example, the main Christmas tree in Lisbon is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for its abundance of decorations. Garlands of countless colored lights make it magical and unforgettable. Not only are the main streets decorated, but everything is decorated for New Year's Eve.

As a symbolic figure, Santa Claus is very similar to like-minded gift-givers all over the world. It can be Santa Claus,  Papia Noel, the evangelical Christ Child, who today has suffered more as a Catholic, Sinterklaas, or dear Nicholas and his assistant Knecht Ruprecht. Every symbolic figurine at Christmas has only one task: to bring gifts and make children happy. This is what happens with the world of celebration in the family.