He's one of the most famous fellows on the planet, celebrated just about everywhere for his happy habit of bringing toys to all the good little girls and boys on Christmas Eve. Along with hanging stockings by the chimney with care, lighting up the tannenbaum, and decking the halls, Santa Claus means Christmastime is here. But while we know so much about him, like where he lives (the North Pole, of course), and how to reach him (on his personal hotline), one big question remains: how old is the big guy in the red suit anyway?
We hope you're sitting down because the answer is going to surprise you. If you think, judging by that white beard and hair, Kris Kringle might be around 70 or 80, the truth is he's far, far older. According to History.com, the monk who over time would evolve into Santa Claus was born in what is now modern-day Turkey in 280 A.D., making him a whopping 1,741 years old! Named Nicholas, he was eventually sainted thanks to his good works, which included giving his fortune away to the poor, who he traveled far and wide to help. Over time, St. Nicholas's legend grew, and he became known specifically as a protector of children.
It's said the Dutch brought the story of St. Nicholas, known to them as Sint Nikolaas, or Sinterklaas, to America when they emigrated here in the 1700s. Among the traditions that came along with the tale was giving gifts to children on December 6, St. Nick's feast day. But it wasn't until 1823 that he was first associated with Christmas, thanks to the publication of the Clement Clarke Moore poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as "’Twas the Night Before Christmas"). In it, St. Nick is described as the character we know and love today: a "right jolly old elf" who drives a sleigh pulled by reindeer and hops down the chimney to deliver toys on Christmas Eve.
A half-century or so later, the cartoonist Thomas Nast of Harper's Weekly, gave Santa Claus his modern look when he depicted him sporting a red suit and cap. In 1931, the first Coca-Cola Company ads starring Santa appeared, further enhancing the legend. In the illustrations by Haddon Sundblum, his cheeks are redder, his beard bigger, and his suit features the white fur trim so recognizable today. Santa's other big pop culture moments would come to include multiple stints on the silver screen, such as his famed appearance in Miracle on 34th Street. In the beloved 1947 film, Natalie Wood is a young girl who believes a department store Santa, played by Oscar-winner Edmund Gwenn, is the real deal.
Happily, despite his advanced age, Santa shows no signs of retiring. With his sack full of presents over his shoulder, and his hearty "Ho Ho Ho" ringing out throughout the land, he'll continue to spread joy to all. Because, as Kris Kringle notes in Miracle on 34th Street, "Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind."
Jill Gleeson is a travel journalist and memoirist based in the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania who has written for websites and publications including Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist, Canadian Traveller, and EDGE Media Network. Jill is the travel editor for Enchanted Living. Learn more about her journey at gleesonreboots.com.
