Strange and Fascinating Facts That You Didn’t Know About Santa Claus

On Christmas Eve, children, and the children at heart, patiently wait as Santa Claus makes his annual trip around the world to deliver Christmas presents and cheer.

Over the years, we’ve known him by many names: Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Saint Nick, or just Santa. So here’s some interesting facts about the man with the bag.

Santa’s first appearance in a department store was in 1890

Santa made his first live appearance in a department store in 1890. Before 1890, stores would have life-sized models of Santa. James Edgar from Brockton, Massachusetts, had a Santa suit tailored for him.

That December, he donned the red suit and surprised adults and kids alike.

He was a bachelor until the late 1800’s

Santa Claus was never said to have a spouse until James Rees wrote the short story “A Christmas Legend” in 1849. Mrs. Claus then started to appear in weekly publications.

However, Mrs. Claus did not become popular until 40 years later, when Katherine Lee Bates published her poem “Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride.” Goody was a term meaning Goodwife or Mrs.

His list of naughty and nice kids has roots in Belgium

The naughty and nice list was not Santa’s idea. It dates back to a different time and culture. Sinterklaas, the Santa of the Netherlands and Belgium, kept a list to keep track of children.

However, others believe that the idea dates to Norse mythology. Odin, the King of Asgard, was said to use his ravens to list at chimneys to see who was naughty and nice.

His sleigh weighs several tons

Santa would need a giant sleigh to hold all the toys for children around the world. The weight alone would clock in around 400,000 tons. Now nine reindeer would not be able to pull that weight.

In reality, Santa Claus would need close to 360,000 reindeer. Hope he’s ready to remember all those names.