History Extra podcast Father Christmas: life of the week
13 snips
Dec 23, 2025 Join historian Thomas Rhys-Smith, a professor with a keen focus on the cultural history of Father Christmas and Santa Claus, as he unravels the intriguing evolution of these iconic figures. Explore the roots of Father Christmas from St. Nicholas to Sir Christmas, and how Dutch and German traditions shaped Santa in America. Discover the fascinating clash between Santa’s secular charm and Father Christmas's festive spirit, and learn how Victorian culture solidified their images. Thomas reminds us how these beloved figures continue to inspire kindness and joy in our celebrations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Origins As Seasonal Personification
- Father Christmas first appears in print as 'Sir Christmas' in the 15th century associated with winter greenery and feasting.
- He becomes widely personified as Old Father Christmas in the 17th century amid cultural debates over Christmas.
Santa Claus: An Immigrant Reinvention
- Santa Claus emerges in late 18th-century America drawing on Dutch and German Saint Nicholas traditions brought by immigrants.
- He transforms away from a bishop figure into a secular, house-visiting gift-bringer on Christmas Eve.
A Figure In Cultural Conflict
- In the 17th century Father Christmas was used by royalist pamphleteers to defend traditional Christmas against Puritan bans.
- Both supporters and critics weaponised his image during the Civil War and Interregnum debates.