15
Santa's flying power and eight-legged reindeer (wait…one, eight-legged reindeer?!)
Source: Grossman, John. 2008. Christmas Curiosities: Odd, Dark, and Forgotten Christmas. , Image: Wikipedia
The Norse god Odin likely contributed to the development of Santa Claus. Odin would fly around on his eight-legged horse (thought to have led to Santa’s eight reindeer) Sleipnir. The god would distribute either gifts or punishment to children, all of whom were wise to fill their stockings with treats for Sleipnir.
14
The origin of Santa's red suit
Source: NBC, Image: Wikimedia
One of the primary ways Santa Claus came to wear a red suit was due to Nicholas’ religious position. As a bishop, Nicholas would wear a red bishop’s cloak. Later storytellers (see #10 to #7) kept the red robes as they fleshed out our modern-day conceptions of Santa.
13
The Dutch keep Santa alive
Source: NBC, Image: Wikipedia
While many parts of Europe were eliminating St. Nicholas in favor of the baby Jesus gift-bringer, the Netherlands kept the tradition alive with their own version of a character who brought gifts: Sinterklaas. Dutch emigrants later brought this chimney-visiting image to the United States.
12
Christmas with too much rum cake
Source: National Geographic, Image: Wikipedia
As the United States was born, most families disliked and even didn’t celebrate Christmas. The version celebrated in England and the colonies was a bacchanalian, outdoor rager where guests would become drunk and rowdy.
11
St. Nick almost on par with Jesus' mother
Source: Grossman, John. 2008. Christmas Curiosities: Odd, Dark, and Forgotten Christmas. , Image: Wikipedia
Out of all the religious saints, St. Nicholas (or Santa Claus) is depicted by artists more than any other saint except Jesus’ mother, Mary.
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