Santa Claus: The Jolly Fellow with a Surprisingly Shady Past (and a little L&D)

I know Christmas was yesterday, but, after mistletoe and Christmas trees, it’s time to unravel the truth behind the most famous holiday figure of all: Santa Claus. If you were good yesterday, maybe he paid you a visit—and why not? It’s not like he’s a Christian deity or anything. Go ahead, invite him down your chimney once a year (though let’s be honest, that really means draining your budget to buy a bunch of hopefully people presents).

Saint or Thief? Depends on the Address

Santa Claus as we know him today is actually a Coca-Cola-powered evolution of Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek bishop famous for his generosity. The OG St. Nick reportedly saved impoverished families by secretly tossing coins into their homes—legend has it, through the chimney, which explains the modern-day shtick. But here’s where things get weird:

In some cultures, Santa’s counterpart is less “angelic gift-giver” and more “watch your back.” For example:

• The Netherlands: Enter Sinterklaas, who rolls into town by boat with his trusty (and controversial) sidekick, Zwarte Piet—gifts for the good, a bag for the naughty. Literally, kids were warned they’d be stuffed into a sack and whisked away. Festive, right (and well... terrifying but honestly, surprising parents didn't stick with this one)?
• Iceland: Here we have the Yule Lads—13 mischievous trolls who, depending on your behavior, either bring you gifts or wreak havoc in your home. One steals sausages. Another slams doors. (I'm relatively certain these live in my home year-round (KIDS!) Santa, but make it chaotic.
• Italy: La Befana, a witch, takes over. She’s kind of Santa’s fill-in, delivering gifts on Epiphany Eve, but she flies on a broomstick, so… not exactly what you’d call a holy night.

How Did We Get to Ho Ho Ho?

The Americanized Santa we adore came together in a cultural crockpot. Add these ingredients:

1. Saint Nicholas’ Generosity: Early Christian stories of a kind man who helped the needy.
2. Norse Influence: Odin, the all-father of Norse mythology, rode a flying horse and brought gifts or punishment during midwinter.
3. Clement Clarke Moore’s Poem: “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (a.k.a. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’) cemented the idea of a chubby, cheerful man delivering gifts via reindeer.
4. Coca-Cola Ads: Yes, the modern Santa owes his red suit and twinkling eyes to 1930s marketing. Coca-Cola commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to create holiday advertisements featuring Santa Claus. Sundblom’s warm, jolly depiction, complete with rosy cheeks and laughter lines, was inspired by Clement Clarke Moore’s poem and became the iconic image of Santa Claus we know today. While Coca-Cola didn’t invent Santa or his red outfit, their widespread ads popularized this version of Santa, embedding it deeply in American culture.

What Santa Teaches L&D

So, what can Learning and Development take away from Santa’s multifaceted history?

1. Adaptability is Key: Santa’s been a bishop, a Norse god, a folkloric thief, and a modern capitalist icon. If he can evolve, so can your training programs.
2. Know Your Audience: Not everyone sees Santa the same way. Tailor your learning experiences to resonate across diverse teams.
3. Celebrate Tradition, But Keep Innovating: Santa’s success is his balance of honoring old traditions while embracing modern narratives. That’s a great strategy for evergreen L&D content.

Closing Thought: He Sees You When You’re Sleeping…

Whether he’s sneaking down chimneys or stealing sausages, Santa has always been a reflection of the values and fears of his time. This holiday season, let’s appreciate the weird, wonderful ways cultures have shaped the holly jolly man in red—and maybe learn a thing or two about connecting with our own audiences.