I remember reading somewhere that the name Santa Claus (from St. Nicholas) was actually first given in Coca Cola ads... I have seen Coca Cola greeting cards with pictures of Santa. Can somebody confirm or deny this? I don't want funny answers to this one please...
2006-07-16 04:10:29 · 7 answers · asked by Wrobinhood 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
Santa Claus is a variation of a European folk tale based on the historical figure Saint Nicholas, a bishop from the region that is now present-day Turkey, who gave presents to the poor. This inspired the mythical figure of Sinterklaas, the subject of a major celebration in the Netherlands and Belgium, Germany (where his alleged date of death, December 6, is celebrated the evening before on December 5), which in turn inspired both the myth and the name of Santa Claus (actually a mispronunciation of the Dutch word "Sinterklaas" by the English settlers of New Amsterdam (later renamed New York)), in those countries Saint Nicholas is celebrated as a distinct character with a religious touch, Santa Claus is also celebrated on Christmas eve.
There is also the urban folk legend that the red-suited Santa was created by Coke. The modern Santa had "elbowed aside all comers" long before the 1940s, and well before Coca-Cola co-opted him as their wintertime advertising symbol.
2006-07-16 04:14:38 · answer #1 · answered by Rjmail 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Santa Claus was not invented by Coca-Cola. It comes from "Sinterklaas" which is from the Netherlands. Thomas Nast created the modern traditional look of Santa Claus in the 1800s.
2006-07-16 21:07:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Didn't it have something to do with Kris Kringle in Germany or seomthing? ANd then we Americanized it into our Santa Claus. I've never heard the coca cola thing.
2006-07-16 04:15:16 · answer #3 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The real St.Nick was born over a thousand years ago in the Middle East, near Bethlehem.
He was a very religious man who became the Bishop of Turkey.
He was a kind man and had a deep love for children.
The story goes that there were 3 poor girls. They had no money to get married. Their own dad was going to put them out in the streets.
When Nick heard this he decided to help. He went and threw a bag w/ gold coins in it in the house. One daughter got married.
He did it again and when the 2nd girl fell in love she was able to marry.
When the 3rd girl was to get married the father decided to keep watch to see who was so kind to pay for the weddings.
St.Nick climbed up on the roof, sight unseen and threw the gold down the chimney. It landed in a stocking hanging up to dry.
That is why we hang Christmas stockings today!
2006-07-17 01:19:54 · answer #4 · answered by Spay-n-Neuter-Your-Pets 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Instead of copy and pasting an answer here direct from a website and claiming it as my wn (which so many people do) I am going to give you a link that will tell you everything you'd like to know about Santa...plus some. I hope this help! :)
http://antiques.about.com/od/holiday/a/aa120400.htm
2006-07-16 04:17:21 · answer #5 · answered by silent.peace 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
santa clause does not exist even though his origin had to come from somewhere id say hes a wifes tale,besides christmas is a paigan holiday
signed your lord and master
gungrave0207
2006-07-17 00:09:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Um, no. Try to go even further.
It started with some Catholic priest who had too much money and decided to donate money and whatnot to the orphans. One thing led to another, and he's suddenly the fat Christmas father who won't stop hohoho-ing.
2006-07-16 04:14:43 · answer #7 · answered by batman 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋