Saint Nick to Santa, the MOST extreme makeover?

It's the holiday season, and the first thing that comes to so many minds is presents, and who better to deliver these presents than Jolly Saint Nick himself. Chris Cringle, Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, etc. etc. But who is this roly poly elf that sneaks around the living room each year? Where did he come from? And -watch out kids- is he real!? In this article you'll see how Santa went from thin and worshiped to pudgy and present-giving.

The first Europeans brought with them to the new World Saint Nicholas, and Columbus even named a Haitian port for the saint in 1492. Even the city now known as Jacksonville, Florida, was once known as Saint Nicholas Ferry. However, during the sixteenth century, there was a protestant reformation which took a low liking to saints. Although everyone tried to get rid of Saint Nick-related activity and custom, only the English traditions of Christmas were permanently altered. Since so many common people still liked Saint Nick, 'he' continued to place nuts, apples and sweets in any shoes left on the hearth, windowsill, or beside a bed.

The colonists coming to America in the 1500's were mainly Puritans, and Protestant reformers who didn't bring Saint Nicholas with them. And although many think that the Dutch brought Saint Nicholas to New Amsterdam, scholors have little evidence of this. Germans in present-day Pennsylvania, however, held the feast of Saint Nicholas and several accounts tell that Saint Nick Himself visited the feast.

In 1773, another Saint Nick-based occurance happened with the forming of the Sons of Saint Nicholas by the patriots. This, however was not to honor the bishop, but to blow a raspberry to the English St. George society. After the American Revolution, New Yorkers thought about their proud Dutch roots. John Pintard promoted St. Nicholas as the patron saint of Society and City. St. Nicholas as mentioned in "The knickerbocker's History of New York" was an elfin Dutch burgher with a pipe. These imaginative thoughts are the source of many New Amsterdam St. Nick legends, such as that the first Ductch emigrant ship had St. Nick as a figurehead, that St. Nicholas day was observed in the colony, that the first church was dedicated to him, and that St. Nick comes down chimneys with heaping sacks of presents.

The NY historical society held its first St. Nick Anniversary dinner in 1810, on December 6. John Pintard commissioned Alexander Anderson to create an American image of St. Nick for the occasion. St. Nick was depicted as a gift-giver, with treats stuffed into stockings hanging at the fireplace. An accompanying poem read "Saint Nicholas, my dear good friend! To serve you ever was my end, If you will, now, me something give, I'll serve you ever while I live." The elfin idea of Santa got a boost in 1823 when a poem was written: "A visit from Saint Nicholas". Later to be known as "The night before Christmas."

"He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf. . . ."

There are arguments between the writer being Clement Clark Moore, and Henry Livingston, who wrote humerous verse for children. Many artists continued the progression to Sancte Claus, or Santa Claus, which was very much unlike the Bishop Nicholas. A series of drawings in 'Harper's Weekly', by Thomas Nast, based on descriptions of Washington Irving's work, further showed Santa with his furry garb and bag of toys. It was, however, Haddon Sundblom who solidified the Santa Image with thirty-five years of Coca-Cola commercials featuring Santa as the Rotund, Red-suited, Full-bellied, white-haired fellow we know today. Santa has become so familiar that he has spread around the world and could possibly threaten Europe's Saint Nicholas, who is still a Christian Bishop and Saint.

Hi. I'm coconut, or WS from http://www.cococomics.net . I often write articles such as this about things like alchemy, medusa, etc. I started my site in September 2003, and it has grown a lot. That's pretty much all I can think to say.

---

Dress To Impress! Find Your Sexy Halloween Costume And Shake What Your Mamma Gave You

Everyone loves to look and feel good, right? Well, why... Read More

Holiday Beauty Dos and Donts

Why is it that whenever you go to a holiday... Read More

The History And Origin Of Valentines Day

The oldest Valentine card still in existence was sent in... Read More

Halloween & Hounds

Halloween is "fright night" for humans not dogs. Screaming, running,... Read More

Kids Halloween Costumes! Your Pint-sized Witches And Goblins Can Look Their Spookiest & Cutest Ever

It's not only the candy that puts smiles on kids'... Read More

The Last Laugh: Parental Pranks for April 1

The exact origin of April Fool's Day is uncertain, but... Read More

SALOME and HERODIAS, A Curious Mothers Day Story, Part 1 of 2 Parts

First, a disclaimer:This article requires information about John the Baptist,... Read More

Happy Holidays? It?s Up To You

The Holiday Season. Does time seem to compress, or is... Read More

Keeping Christmas Spirit Alive: Christmas Just Isn?t The Same Without Santa Claus!

Holidays may come and go but some holidays, like Christmas,... Read More

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - How to Tap in to the Holiday Publicity Bonanza

If your product or service can be given as a... Read More

It?s Time to Start Thinking about Mothers Day

Mother's Day is approaching fast. This year it falls on... Read More

Glorious Holiday Decorating (Without Breaking the Bank or Losing Your Sanity)

Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally... Read More

FIREWORKS--OR, OOH, AAH, How Do They Do That?

One of my earliest memories involves a Fourth of July... Read More

Tropical Christmas

I can recall from my days in England, watching television... Read More

Seven Great Holiday Decorating Tips--Without Breaking the Bank

If you're looking for great ways to decorate your home... Read More

Keepsake Christmas Album

Do you hate throwing your Christmas cards away every year... Read More

Low On Cash For Christmas? Try Gifts in a Jar

Time is money, and right now you don't have either... Read More

The Only Way to Turn New Year Resolutions Into Reality!

So you ate, drank and spent too much over the... Read More

Fathers Day Origins and Inspiration

While mothers have had their special day since 1914, fathers... Read More

Rubber Stamping and Scrapbooking will Bring the Family Together During The Holidays

No matter what celebration you and your family will rejoice... Read More

Creating Your Own Holiday Traditions

I love this time of year -- decorations on the... Read More

10 Steps to a Relaxing Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Family, friends, good food ?... Read More

Jeweled Shamrock Pendant

March 17th is St. Patrick's Day and according to tradition... Read More

Mothers Day: 5 Gift Ideas Guaranteed To Make Any New Mom Happy

Sure, you can call it a Hallmark holiday. But don't... Read More

Christmas Decorating Ideas - Edible Ornaments

Although it is now more decades away than I care... Read More

Valentines Day Flowers

Flowers & Valentine's Day go hand in hand. Your Valentine... Read More

Celebrate Parks Day, Everyday this Summer!

Canada's Parks Day falls on July 16'th this year. First... Read More

Creative And Inexpensive Gift Ideas

I have a friend who works at a loan company.... Read More

A Simple Little Holiday Plan

The Thanksgiving leftovers have all been eaten and the gift-buying... Read More

10 Ways to Keep Your Expectations From Making You Crazy This Christmas

Christmas is a wonderful time! Everyone is full of good... Read More

Samanthas Bay Leaf Ritual for the New Year

HI would like to share with you a ritual I... Read More

Fireplace Decorating Tips for Easter: Give Your Rooms Natural Focal Point an Easter Look

Sure you decorate your fireplace and mantel for the winter... Read More

How to Put Some Sizzle in Your Summer Parties: 5 Ways to be a Gracious Host and a Great Guest

Now that the hot weather is finally here, we are... Read More