Did Coca-Cola steal Christmas the history of Santa Claus?
Coca-Cola did not create the legend of Santa Claus. But Coca-Cola advertising did play a big role in shaping the jolly character we know today. Before 1931, there were many different depictions of Santa Claus around the world, including a tall gaunt man and an elf —there was even a scary Claus.
What does Coca-Cola have to do with Christmas?
In 1931, the company commissioned an illustrator named Haddon Sundblom to create an oil painting of Santa drinking a coke during Christmas. Sundblom based his image on the concept of Santa from the Clement Clarke Moor Poem, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”, all the way down to the rosy cheeks, and round belly.
Did Coke create red Santa?
No. It’s widely believed that today’s Santa wears a red suit because that’s the colour associated with Coca‑Cola, but this isn’t the case. Before the Coca‑Cola Santa was even created, St Nick had appeared in numerous illustrations and written descriptions wearing a scarlet coat.
When did Coke invent Santa?
Except it’s tosh. Coca-Cola did start using Santa in advertising in 1933. But Santa had been portrayed almost exclusively in red from the early 19th century and most of his modern image was put together by cartoonist Thomas Nast in the 1870s.
When did Coke start using Santa Claus?
1933
Coca-Cola did start using Santa in advertising in 1933. But Santa had been portrayed almost exclusively in red from the early 19th century and most of his modern image was put together by cartoonist Thomas Nast in the 1870s.
When did Santa Claus start wearing red?
1870s
The tradition of him wearing red began in the 1870s with the American cartoonist Thomas Nast, who introduced the red suit and cap, white fur lining and buckled black belt.
When did Coca-Cola make Santa red?
1930s
Santa Claus in red suit used to advertised confectionary, 1868. Coca-Cola began to use the red image of Santa on advertising in the 1930s, when the company hired artist Haddon Sunbloom to create a character of Santa Claus for use in festive campaigns.
When did Coke start using Santa?
It was in the 1920s that Coca-Cola began to include Santa Claus in its Christmas advertising. However, the real revolution happened in 1931 when the company commissioned Haddon Sundblom, a Dutch illustrator, to reimagine Santa Claus.
When did Coke first use Santa?
1931
Coca-Cola first began using a version of Santa Claus Coca-Cola says was more reminiscent of Nast’s in advertisements in the 1920s, the company says. Then in 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned artist Haddon Sundblom to draw Santa Claus for its ad campaigns, and the company says he used Moore’s poem as his primary inspiration.