Santa Claus Worldwide: A History of St. Nicholas and Other Holiday Gift-Bringers

by Tom A. Jerman

This is a comprehensive history of the world's midwinter gift-givers, showcasing the extreme diversity in their depictions as well as the many traits and functions these characters share. It tracks the evolution of these figures from the tribal priests who presided over winter solstice celebrations thousands of years before the birth of Christ, to Christian notables like St. Martin and St. Nicholas, to a variety of secular figures who emerged throughout Europe following the Protestant Reformation. Finally, it explains how the popularity of a poem about a "miniature sleigh" and "eight tiny reindeer" helped consolidate the diverse European gift-givers into an enduring tradition in which American children awake early on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought. Although the names, appearance, attire and gift-giving practices of the world's winter solstice gift-givers differ greatly, they are all recognizable as Santa, the personification of the Christmas and Midwinter festivals. Despite efforts to eliminate him by groups as diverse as the Puritans of seventeenth century New England, the Communist Party of the twentieth century Soviet Union and the government of Nazi Germany, Santa has survived and prospered, becoming one of the best known and most beloved figures in the world.

Genres: Christmas

248 pages, Paperback

Published May 11, 2020

About the author

I have been a serious collector of Santa Claus figurines and ornaments for more than thirty years, and have amassed a collection of some 4500 figurines and ornaments depicting Santa, one of the largest individual collections of which I am aware. My collection ranges from antique to modern, and folk art to china and crystal.

My original motivation for writing Santa Claus Worldwide: A History of St. Nicholas and Other Holiday Gift-Bringers was to provide a guide for individuals who collected Santa Claus figurines because most of the existing works were outdated and often inaccurate. In 2014, as Chapter 1, the history of Santa and his European counterparts, expanded to several hundred pages, I decided to create a multi-volume work. The second volume will address authorship of “The Night Before Christmas,” and the third volume will return to the original purpose, a guide for collectors.

Although I am not an author by trade, I have made my living for forty years as a researcher, writer and editor. I have undergraduate degrees in philosophy and journalism and a graduate degree in law from the University of Utah. From 1974 to 1978, I was employed as a copy editor with The Salt Lake Tribune in Salt Lake City, Utah. Between 1981 and 2015, I was a partner specializing in labor and employment law with two of the nation’s largest firms. I retired in 2015, and moved to Asheville, N.C., to pursue my writing ambition.

Reviews

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love everything Christmas, so when I saw this book, Santa Claus Worldwide, showcasing the history of Christmas, St. Nic, and the other diverse gift-givers, I couldn’t wait to dig in.

My first impression of most books comes from the cover art. I want the cover to pull me in, whether it covers a work of fiction or non-fiction. This cover is a win. I love the festive colors, the tree ornament, and the silhouette of Santa with his sleigh and flying reindeer.

This book bursts at the seams with historical information. So much so that I wish there were more illustrations and more white space for my tired eyes. But in the aspect of knowledge-building, this isn’t a complaint. Because more-is-better in that sense.

My love of reading corresponds with my love of learning, and this book teaches so much. I’ve learned that archeologists have traced the origins of Christmas back to the Roman Empire. These celebrations occurred as festivals of sun gods and other deities, and observances of the Winter Solstice, long before the birth of Christ. I’ve learned about the founding of the nativity as a Christian holiday, and how Saint Nicholas first surfaced. I wish I could unlearn that St. Nic’s “evil helpers” carried whips and chains to punish misbehaving children, and even had bags to carry them off to who-knows-where. Eek! (I’ll admit, I skipped over some of the icky parts.)

My favorite chapter reveals how a poem, “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” (better known as “The Night Before Christmas”) was pivotal in introducing the Santa Claus I grew up with. Jolly ‘ol Saint Nic and his sleigh pulled by eight reindeer, bringing gifts and joy to American children.

Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.

[Chris Shumway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santa Claus Worldwide describes gift givers throughout the world in history from the pagan god Odin to the present day Father Christmas, Weihnachmann, Père Noël, Ded Moroz, and Santa Claus. Mr. Jerman’s thorough research of this subject, takes the reader on a journey from Winter Solstice celebrations that evolved into the Christmas season that is beloved around the globe. After reading this fine book, one will never look at a “right, jolly old elf” the same way but enlightened at how he has endured over time.

[Melvilliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santa Claus Worldwide distills the cheerful essence of Christmas from many sources and studies, old and new. In addition to his wide reading, author Tom A. Jerman has brought a wealth of personal experience and knowledge as a collector to the task of synthesizing the history and often bewildering variety of holiday gift-bringers. Jerman helpfully surveys ancient traditions (Roman Saturnalia) and models (Wotan/Odin, for example), as well as Christian figures like the Christkindl and myriad incarnations of jolly old St. Nick. Several chapters also offer new takes on familiar themes of previous Santa-studies. Of special interest to me in that regard are separate chapters on Washington Irving and the illustrated verses on "Old Santeclaus" as uniquely published in the 1821 Children's Friend. Without denying evident traces of Irving's comic History of New York on Clement C. Moore's iconic poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," Jerman challenges the influential conspiracy theory that a few wealthy New Yorkers "invented" the American Santa Claus. With a collector's understanding of folklore and a lawyer's flair for arguing, Jerman makes a persuasive case for the historical-cultural evolution of Santa Claus, outside of and independent from any particular construction of Manhattan elites. This view expressly builds on previous work by Phyllis Siefker in Santa Claus, Last of the Wild Men (1997; 2006) and Gerry Bowler in Christmas in the Crosshairs (2016). Chapter 19 pays extra and well-deserved attention to William B. Gilley and illustrator Arthur J. Stansbury as co-creators of "Old Santeclaus."

I'm already finding this book valuable to have as a basic reference work when doing my own archival research. For instance, lately I discovered an 1841 newspaper reprinting of "A Visit from St Nicholas" with the alternative title, "Old Belsnickle." Say what? Well, as helpfully explained in several chapters (especially 3, 8, and 16), this Belsnickle or furry Nicholas has to be the Americanized Pelznickle, one of many protestant German gift-givers. Kriss Kringle similarly derives from the German Christkindl.

Santa Claus Worldwide fairly revels in the rich diversity of figures that symbolize and stimulate winter gift-giving. And it's loaded with wonderful pictures, too. I'm sure this exceptionally useful and readable volume of holiday history will make a great gift for 21st century Santas and Santa lovers everywhere.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am excited to tell you about this book. It’s the perfect season for it, right?! And being as tomorrow, December 6th, is St. Nicholas Day, it couldn’t even be more apt!

When I requested this book, I thought it would be fun to have a little history of Santa Claus. Ya know, dabble here and there, learn a little bit about St. Nicholas and then the Coca-Cola Santa. Y’all, I am happy to report that this book is so much more. First of all, Jerman is a retired attorney, so right there you know he’s got the research and writing chops to pull off a book that showcases Santa and all that he was, and is, and will be. The research in this is incredible, actually. I loved that Jerman explored the holiday celebration and the gift-bringers of the season. There are so many more and the history is so much more complex than I ever knew.

This book covers a lot—the history of gift bringers in different countries and various parts of the world, the need for the gift givers and celebrations during winter (hint: it’s not just about the birth of Jesus). I found it to be an interesting discussion on not only different cultures and their views and traditions, but also the similarities in humanity as a whole. Although the variety is wide and different, there is also quite a bit of similarity, and I always find that fascinating (both the differences and the similarities!).

One of the cool things in this book is that Jerman has included many pictures throughout the book of different gift bringers throughout the world and throughout history. It’s a fascinating history, actually, and I think it may challenge everything you thought you knew about Santa.

What this book is not: This is not a fluffy discussion of a jolly man in a red suit who likes to eat cookies. This is not the kind of book you’ll sit down and read to your children for a five-minute bedtime story. This is also not for someone who is looking to just like Santa Claus at his current, modern face value, and that’s it.

What this book is: This book is a detailed and well-researched discussion of “Santa Claus” (and I say that in quotes because you’ll see it’s not quite as simple as that) and his role in the winter holidays. It is well-written, but it is heavy, in that there is a lot of information and Jerman even argues about how what is considered the beginning of the modern Santa Claus is not as simple as it seems. This is perfect for the person in your life who loves Santa Claus and wants to know more about him and isn’t afraid to read a little more than just a children’s poem or storybook to get to the bottom of it all.

If you are someone who loves to read about cultural myths and legends, or someone who even loves Santa Claus and the other icons of the Christmas season, and you’re not afraid to dig a little deeper, this book is totally for you. I found it to be fascinating and a lot more in-depth than I ever even knew was out there. When I see the modern Santa, or even other Saint Nicholas types from around the world, I’m going to feel excited that I know so much more about where they came from and what they mean, both in their cultures and in the world culture of humanity as well.

Read my full review here: https://www.readingforsanity.com/2022...

[Aileen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

During December travels in Amsterdam many years ago I encountered figurines of Sinterklass and his “evil” helper Zwarte Piet (“Black Peter”). It was quite a shock. I was appalled at Black Peter’s depiction and back-story. This Dutch Christmas tradition was and is for Sinterklass and Black Peter to arrive floating down the canal at holiday, and it was tough to see Black Peter as a white man dressed in blackface. Some Dutch claimed he was not intended to be African, but rather a man darkened by soot from coming down the chimney! In any event, I bought a figurine of the pair to bring back to the states to show folks.


And so, I was especially interested to see what Santa Claus: Worldwide said about it. I’m pleased to say that Jerman’s chapter, “Gift-Givers in the Benelux Nations: Sinterklass and Black Peter” (chapter 12), provided some much-needed context as to the origins of this Dutch Santa incarnation. Jerman asserts that the “soot” claim is not credible. He provides persuasive cogent arguments disputing the claim and details how the St. Nicolas Society has argued doing away with continuing the blackface routine. This discussion is representative of the analysis to be found throughout the book, as Jerman rebuts multiple incredible claims, legends and myths that surround the Santas around the world.

As with any nonfiction, it is refreshing when facts are facts, and nothing but the truth will do.

This is a scholarly work drawing on a synthesis of religious, political, cultural, and literary primary sources. The thorough research is impressive: chapters are meticulously footnoted; the bibliography is extensive; the index is granular. Moreover, the book contains numerous illustrations, photographs, and other visual depictions of Santa and helpers. Christmas historians will geek out.

And yet, the text is completely accessible to the casual reader like me who had a lot of questions about Santa “but was afraid to ask.” But seriously, who knew there was so much to learn about the origins of Santa and his kin around the globe? It turns out there is a lot to discover, including: the facts about whether Santa Claus is an American version of St. Nicholas (“Setting the Record Straight on the Nicolas-to-Irving-to-Moore-to-Nast History of Santa Claus,” chapter 2); how Santa came to America in the first place, (“The Purported Role of Washington Irving in the Introduction of St. Nicholas to America,” chapter 17); how the poem we all learned to recite – now known as “The Night Before Christmas” – popularized Santa (“How the Poem Now Known as “The Night Before Christmas” Started the Santa Ball Rolling”, chapter 18).

This book may have turned me into more of a Christmas fan than I was before I read it. The spectacular diversity of Santa celebrants around the world is breathtaking. And magnificent. Learning about the breadth of Christmas celebrations has reminded me that, “that the differences do not make us different. We are all part of humankind, and Christmas, whatever it may be called in one nation or another should be considered the universal feast of humanity.”

I enjoyed this book immensely. I learned a lot. I heartily recommend it.

[Roxann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book specifically about Santa, and this book did not disappoint. It seems to be well researched and has footnotes and citations for just about every statement. There are quite a few illustrations and those really added to the story. I think it is well written and easy to read. The only negatives, I thought is sometimes it did read to much like a text book, and it was repetitive in a lot of places. It could have used an editor to clean it up. But, all that being said, if you want to find out more about the history of Santa--I mean the mythology of Santa and the other Holiday Gift Givers, I would highly recommend this one.

[Carissa Vezina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Might be definitive history of Santa Claus

This is for anyone interested in the history of Santa Claus as a constantly changing, adapting, and evolving cultural figure. The book is thorough and well-sourced with nice footnotes and bibliography. The paper copy is rather pricey, but the digital copy is well-worth the value. I did find several typos, but none of them were severe and didn't distract from my enjoyment or the value of the book.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

I really enjoy being able to share traditions with my family and even more cool history about St. Nicholas. The book is very well compiled and is going to be a treat for the upcoming Christmas season.

[Reading For Sanity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this review and others at https://www.readingforsanity.com/2022...

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are you into learning about Santa Claus or how he came about? I have found a book that is called “Santa Claus Worldwide” by Tom A. Jerman; it a decent and excellent book. I learned quite a bit about Christmas and some of the many holidays. The history is not bad.

This book is primarily nonfiction and stands set on the history of Santa Claus. How it the name Santa Claus come about? The many different characters that Santa Claus exists and become. You will be surprised at how many other names are associated, and these lovely children call him.

You will learn a bit about the origin of Christmas and Santa Claus. I learned a lot about how the Christmas tradition came about and how it changed over the years. What we know about our Christmas traditions today differs from when they first came about and how our practices have evolved.

This book is okay for me. It was not rated low because of how it was written. It was slow and tedious for my taste. Suppose you are a fan of nonfiction books and would enjoy learning about the history of St. Nicholas and Other Holiday Gift Bringers. In that case, This book may be just for you. I enjoy learning about St. Nicholas and the many other holiday gift-bringers. I just thought it was not for me. But not where I did not understand what it was about. This book was okay, and I enjoyed learning new history.