Was Santa Claus Invented by Coca Cola? the True History

The true story of Santa Claus remains one of thevillage children violently and stuff them up the
biggest mysteries of all time. Stories and legendschimney, or drag them away to be eaten later. A
of this jolly, red-clad symbol of kindness andsaint traps the demon with magic shackles,
Christmas cheer have been passed around forforcing him to bring the children toys and candy
centuries in countries all over the world. Someinstead, to make up for how many of them he
believe Santa Clause has his roots in Christianityate. In some stories, the demon persuades imps
while some believe that he was really based onand other creatures to help him, similar to
the mythological god, Odin. Others think that heSantas elves, and in others, he chooses to go
was invented by the Coca Cola companies in theback to Hell instead.
early 1900s to sell more pop.Britain The Brits rendition of Santa Claus, dating
Below are a few different explanations for theback to the 17th Century, is most similar to ours.
history of Santa Clause.Santa, or Father Christmas, was a bearded man
Early Christianity One story of Santa Claus, or St.in a green, fur-lined robe, that starred in the
Nicholas as he is often referred to, says that heCharles Dickens story, A Christmas Carol, as the
was a Christian bishop named Saint Nicholas ofGhost of Christmas Present  no pun
Maya. As this account has it, Saint Nicholas was aintended.
bishop who gave wedding dowries to poorEarly America America, called the melting pot of
women, allowing them to catch husbands andmodern civilization, is also the melting pot of Santa
avoid lives of prostitution. This Saint Nicholas canClaus mythology. British, Dutch and early
still be seen on German holy cards.American influences came together to give us the
Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands InSanta Claus that most of us are familiar with
Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, Santatoday: the jolly old man, distributing gifts yearly
Claus is thought to be based on the Norse godwith the help of his entourage of elves and
Odin (or Woden), god of wisdom, war and death.reindeer. The Coca Cola/Santa Claus myth stems
Legend was that Odin would throw a partyfrom when companies in the early 1900s, like
around Christmastime for other gods and deadWhite Rock Beverages and Coca Cola began
warriors, and that he would ride to the party onusing Santas image to promote their
his horse, Slepnir. Children in these countries leaveproductsand of course, his distinctive red and
straw, carrots or sugar in their shoes for Odinswhite colors didnt help dispel the rumor.
flying horse, which are replaced with treats orThe only thing were really sure of is that Santa
gifts during the night.Claus was not invented by Coca Cola, as the
Austria and Italy Early folk tales in southernurban legend states. But no matter where the real
Austria and northwest Italy tell of a holy manSanta hails from, what he stands for remains the
who reforms a hideous child-eating monster. Assame throughout every country: kindness,
the story goes, there was a large demon,goodness and the generous, giving spirit
covered in furs (known as Belsnickle, or Furryassociated with Christmas.
Nicholas) that snuck into homes at night to kill