It's hard to imagine Santa Claus as anything except the benevolent old man we know today with twinkling eyes and jolly laughter. Santa, as we know him, is the doing of Haddon Sundblom, a commercial artist who worked for a brand that, like Santa, has an inextricable connection with the colour red -- Coca-Cola. Santa before Coca-ColaToday's Santa Claus is a combination of the Dutch Sinterklaas and the British Father Christmas—both of whom are based on the 4th-century Christian saint Saint Nicholas of Myra who was known for giving gifts. St NicholasDepictions of Saint Nicholas had little to nothing in common with the portly, bearded gentleman we know today. Today we know Santa as a grandfather-figure, tall, portly with a big belly laugh and a face that radiates kindness.

Source: Daily Nation December 22, 2022 04:08 UTC