Victorian Santa
Country of Origin: Various

oyfully, we celebrate the Santa Claus drawn out for us in Clemet Moore’s 1822 poem “A Visit From St. Nick” (or “The Night Before Christmas.”) Children struggle with sleep every year waiting for this red coated, elf-like gift giver to pop down their chimneys, stuff stockings, and ride off into the night sky behind his team of reindeer.

However, Clemet Moore owes his inspiration to over 1600 years of history and legend. Santa Claus is a pure reflection of a diverse and imaginative world; a mischievous twinkle in his eye from Julenisse, a generous friend to children from Saint Nicholas, a boisterous jolliness from Father Christmas, trust in animal friends from Pere Noel, naughty versus nice pronouncements from Kris Kringle, and faithful reverence from La Bafana and Santa Lucia.

Over many years, our international community has discovered more and more about Santa Claus. Perhaps most importantly, we’ve learned that his possibilities are limited only by our willingness to believe in the unseen and share the customs that make our childhoods magical.

Christmas Traditions is proud to offer a 24k gold plated hand swirled stained-glass Keepsake Ornament of Victorian Santa. You can view the ornament and purchase it online.