Ever wondered why Santa wears a red and white suit? Discover the surprising history behind his iconic look and how it became a holiday tradition we all love.

Have you ever wondered why Santa Claus, the beloved gift-giving figure, is always dressed in red and white? Surprisingly, this wasn’t always his signature look. Over the years, Santa’s outfit has been shaped by various influences, with one of the most significant being St. Nicholas, the historical figure who often wore red robes and inspired the modern-day Santa. Let’s explore how the image of Santa Claus in a red suit has been shaped by various influences throughout history. (Also read: Merry Christmas Wishes 2024: Top 50 best wishes, images, messages, WhatsApp and Facebook status to share with loved ones )

Where does Santa’s look come from?
Santa Claus’ roots can be traced back to several predecessors, including the Dutch Sinterklaas, the hooded French figure Père Noël, and the German Christkindl, who was a gift-bringing Baby Jesus. According to historical accounts and literature, the modern American version of Santa began taking shape in the 1820s, influenced by poetry, editorial illustrations, and advertisements.

Santa Claus’ iconic image of a bearded man in fur, riding a sleigh pulled by reindeer became widely recognised after the 1823 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore, along with an earlier 1821 poem that introduced him as ‘Santeclaus.’ Early interpretations of Santa depicted him as a small, mischievous figure, with one 1864 illustration showing him in a yellow suit and fur cap and an 1837 oil painting depicting him in a fur-lined red cape, as per CNN.

Other depictions of Santa differed: a 1850 PT Barnum ad for singer Jenny Lind portrayed him as a beardless Revolutionary War figure, while a 1902 cover for L. Frank Baum’s The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus showed him in a dark frock with animal print fur trim and bold red boots. Thomas Nast was crucial in shaping Santa’s image.

Global influences on Santa’s iconic look
In 1863, during the Civil War, he depicted Santa in stars and stripes, handing out presents to Union soldiers. His most enduring image, from 1881, featured Santa in a red buckled suit, nearly identical to the modern version, although the original political message supporting military wages faded over time, according to the Smithsonian. Nast, a Harper’s Weekly cartoonist, also popularised the symbols of the donkey for Democrats and the elephant for Republicans.

Artists Norman Rockwell and J.C. Leyendecker continued Nast’s legacy, depicting Santa in his iconic suit for The Saturday Evening Post in the early 20th century. In his 1988 book The Battle for Christmas, historian Stephen Nissenbaum challenges the popular belief that Santa’s origins stem from the Netherlands’ Sinterklaas. Tracing Santa’s style influences is tricky, as they come from various global sources. His hat, for example, draws from the ancient Phrygian cap, the papal camauro, and others but has become a unique and irreplaceable part of his identity.

Coca-Cola’s influence on Santa’s style
In 1931, Coca-Cola hired artist Haddon Sundblom to create images of Santa Claus for their Christmas advertisements. Sundblom’s version of Santa, with rosy cheeks, a white beard, twinkling eyes, and laugh lines, became the epitome of warmth and friendliness.

Interestingly, the model for Sundblom’s Santa was a retired salesman and personal friend of the artist. His portrayal became hugely popular, solidifying the modern image of Santa we recognise today. Historian Gerry Bowler, author of Santa Claus: A Biography, clarifies, “Many believe that Coca-Cola was responsible for establishing Santa’s red-and-white costume, but that’s not true. His iconic look had already been established decades earlier.”

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Alia Bhatt poses with Ranbir Kapoor and little Raha in stunning red dress worth just ₹6000 for Christmas brunch

Alia Bhatt stuns in a vibrant red dress as she arrives with Ranbir Kapoor and their daughter Raha for a Christmas brunch at late Shashi Kapoor’s house.

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor were recently spotted with their daughter Raha as they arrived for a family Christmas brunch at late Shashi Kapoor’s house. The couple looked bright and happy in stylish outfits while posing with little Raha. Alia nailed the festive spirit with her stunning all-red outfit, proving once again that she’s always on top of her fashion game. Let’s decode her chic look and take some style notes from the diva. (Also read: Alia Bhatt shows how to rock corset like a pro in stylish boss babe look for Jigra promotions. Watch )

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor were recently spotted with their daughter Raha as they arrived for a family Christmas brunch at late Shashi Kapoor’s house. The couple looked bright and happy in stylish outfits while posing with little Raha. Alia nailed the festive spirit with her stunning all-red outfit, proving once again that she’s always on top of her fashion game. Let’s decode her chic look and take some style notes from the diva. (Also read: Alia Bhatt shows how to rock corset like a pro in stylish boss babe look for Jigra promotions. Watch )

Alia Bhatt stuns in red dress for ChristmasRed never looked better as Alia Bhatt absolutely rocked the colour with panache. The Jigra actor wore a stunning red maxi dress featuring a deep V neckline, beautifully adorned with a rose embellishment at the centre, adding an extra dose of oomph to her look. The dress featured thin straps, a fitted bodice and a slim fit that flattered her silhouette. A stylish tie at the back added a touch of flair.

What is the price of Alia’s dress?
If you loved Alia’s outfit and are wondering about the cost, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Her stunning red maxi dress is from the brand Summer Somewhere and comes with a price tag of ₹6,590.

Alia accessorised her look with a pair of golden hoop earrings, a diamond ring adorning her finger, and stylish stiletto heels. Her makeup was on point, featuring nude eyeshadow, mascara-coated lashes, a dewy base, glowing highlighter, and a shade of nude lipstick. With her luscious locks styled in a half-updo and adorned with a red bow, she looked absolutely stunning.

On the other hand, Ranbir Kapoor looked effortlessly stylish, rocking a basic white t-shirt layered with a blue open-buttoned shirt featuring white stripes. He paired it with white skinny-fit pants, cinched at the waist with a brown belt, and completed the look with beige loafers. Little Raha, in his arms, looked absolutely adorable in a white frock.

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Young people more likely to spend Christmas alone, study finds

One in nine people say they will be spending Christmas Day alone this year.

The number of young people spending Christmas Day alone has doubled, according to new research that compares festive attitudes and behaviours in 2024 and 1969.

According to a study by the Policy Institute at King’s College London, one in nine people say they will be spending Christmas Day alone this year. That number has increased from one in 20 who said the same 55 years ago.

Findings of the study:
While the share of people aged 65 and over who said they would spend Christmas Day by themselves has remained the same since 1969 – 15% of over 65s – the number for other demographics has risen. The biggest increase was seen among the youngest surveyed, where one in 11, or 9%, of people aged 21 to 34 said they will be spending Christmas Day alone. Only one in 100 said the same in 1969. Also read | Christmas 2024: Spending holidays alone? Here are some tips to make it special

Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute at King’s College London, said the data indicates that Christmas now seems just a little bit lonelier and less magical than it was 55 years ago. “The proportion of people spending the day itself alone has doubled, we’re less likely to say we enjoy it, and a lot less likely to think parents should encourage their children to believe in Santa,” he said. “But this doesn’t mean we’ve given up on Christmas – indeed a large majority of eight in 10 still say they do enjoy it, and nine in 10 will spend it with family or friends.”

The research – which is based on two nationally representative surveys of UK adults aged 21 and over in 2024 and 1969 – is part of a series of studies updating survey results from decades ago to understand changes in Britain’s core beliefs and ways of living.

Other data found that 80% of people today say they enjoy Christmas, which has dropped slightly from 86% in 1969. A large chunk of Britons also believe that stores push Christmas and festive goods onto consumers far too early in the year, with 79% agreeing with that statement. Men have seen the biggest change in attitudes on Christmas in retail, with 81% of males surveyed saying Christmas goods are sold too early – up from 59% in 1969. The religious significance of Christmas has also dwindled in the UK, with 60% of people stating that Christmas is a family occasion, rather than a religious one. Also read | Christmas 2024: From hanging calendars to visiting cemetery, unique traditions and celebrations around the world

Christmas is about family or religion?
When asked 55 years ago if Christmas was more about family than religion, 53% of respondents agreed, indicating a decline in the Christian faith in Britain. As per the Office of National Statistics, 2021 census data shows that less than half of the population in England and Wales describe themselves as ‘Christian’. ‘No religion’ was the second most common response on the census, increasing to 37.2% from 25.2% in 2011. Also read | Merry Christmas 2024: Simple Santa Claus, Christmas tree drawing ideas for kids and classic poems for school

Professor Duffy said that while things have changed significantly in the world when compared with 1969, the collated data also shows that some things have not changed at all. “These long-term trends are also useful in reminding us that some things have remained the same, despite the huge changes seen,” he said. “1969 was the year man landed on the moon, John and Yoko staged their bed-in for peace, the death penalty was finally abolished, and our current King was invested as the Prince of Wales. “But even back then, eight in 10 were complaining that Christmas was too commercialised – exactly the same proportion as today.”

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