The Green Beginnings of Santa

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When we picture Santa Claus today, we see a jolly, stout man in a bright crimson suit trimmed with white fur. It feels as though he has always dressed this way, but the "traditional" red suit is actually a relatively modern invention—the result of centuries of evolving folklore, artistic interpretation, and clever marketing.

​The Green Beginnings

​The historical inspiration for Santa, St. Nicholas of Myra, lived in the 4th century. As a Greek bishop, he would have worn traditional clerical robes, likely in shades of white, gold, or muted reds.  

​Fast forward to the 17th century in England, and we find Father Christmas. He wasn't a gift-bringer then, but a spirit of peace and feasting. In early illustrations, he was often depicted in a long, loose green robe lined with fur, symbolizing the coming of spring and the resilience of nature during winter.  

​The Shift to Red

​The transition to red began in the 19th century. In 1823, the poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (better known as "The Night Before Christmas") described him wearing fur, but didn't specify a color. However, political cartoonist Thomas Nast is the man who truly "painted" Santa red.

​Beginning in the 1860s, Nast drew a series of illustrations for Harper’s Weekly. Over 20 years, he transformed Santa from a small, elfish figure into a large, grandfatherly man. While he occasionally drew Santa in tan or green, he eventually settled on red, likely because it stood out against the white snow and green trees of his illustrations.  

​The Coca-Cola Myth

​There is a popular myth that Coca-Cola invented the red suit to match their brand colors. While this isn't strictly true—Santa was appearing in red magazines and postcards decades before—Coca-Cola certainly standardized the look.

​In 1931, the company commissioned artist Haddon Sundblom to create a "wholesome" Santa for their advertisements. Sundblom’s paintings were so widely distributed in magazines and on billboards that they cemented the image of the red-and-white suit in the global consciousness.  

​Why Red Works

​Red was a practical choice for the holiday. It represents:

​The Bishop's Robes: A nod to the original St. Nicholas.

​Warmth: A visual contrast to the cold winter landscape.

​Joy: A vibrant, festive color that signals celebration.

​Today, the red suit is the universal uniform of Christmas, proving that the image of Santa is as much a work of art as it is a work of history.

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