Father Christmas Facts

In many countries Children go to bed on Christmas Eve (the 24th of December) awaiting the arrival of Father Christmas and their gifts.

Father Christmas is known by different names in different countries and the tradition and folklore surrounding this figure differs from place to place. Other names include Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas and Kris Kringle.

Father Christmas is often depicted in red clothes with black boots and a black belt but that has not always been the case. Before 1931, Santa had always been shown in black and white, green and white or an array of other colours. It was only when Coca Cola created an image (see picture on the left) of Father Christmas in red and white as part of an advertising campaign that he became known as the man in red with a white beard!

Wikipedia have some interesting information on the origins of Father Christmas in different countries and here there are some old pictures depicting him in colours other than red.