Different medias like newspapers, internet and TV programs expose to the public the idea that Coca Cola was the responsible to create the Santa Claus that kids know nowadays: the good old grandpa, with red and white clothes and a red beanie with some fluffy staff on it. It is scientifically proofed the creator of Santa Claus was the German cartoonist Thomas Nast in 1886.

Before 1931 he was represented wearing winter clothes but in green with some details in white and silver (typical color from woodcutters). What happened is that Coca Cola made a huge advertisement with Santa Claus but in red and white clothes, what was pretty convenient since those are the colors of their brand. The campaign had the objective to promote Coke consumption during the winter (time when the sales were always lower compared to other seasons). It was a huge success and Santa Claus’ new image spread really fast around the world, especially through kids (huge consumers of the product). Thus, Coca Cola contributed to spread and standardize the actual image of Santa Claus but it was not the responsible to create it.

Frohe Weihnacthen und Glücklich neues Jahr!

Gabi