Santa Claus started getting plump in the early 1800s with Washington Irving's description and Clement Clarke Moore's 1823 poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," which featured a "jolly old elf" with a "little round belly". However, political cartoonist Thomas Nast solidified the modern, fat Santa with his illustrations starting in the 1860s, and Coca-Cola's popular 1930s ads cemented this jolly, large image in pop culture.
The depiction of Santa as overweight is often used as a symbol of his generosity and love of good food and drink. Additionally, the image of Santa Claus as an overweight figure may also be used as a way to evoke feelings of warmth and comfort during the winter holiday season. That's pretty much it.
Sundblom was likely inspired by the work of cartoonist Thomas Nast, who in the 1890s depicted Santa with a big warm belly.
Actually, the original Santa was rather slim, but cartoonists and commercial ads artists gave him a makeover. The story of Santa Claus stems from a real man who started out as a monk and became the patron saint of children. He was known for his generosity and for discreetly helping the poor and unfortunate.
In 1863 a cartoonist, Thomas Nast, depicted him dressed in the stars and stripes, speaking to Union troops during the American Civil War. Nast eventually did more than any other artist to set the standard for Santa's classic look. By 1881 Nast had perfected his vision of Santa, as seen in his 'Merry Old Santa Claus'.
In fact, many people are surprised to learn that prior to 1931, Santa was depicted as everything from a tall gaunt man to a spooky-looking elf.
Research suggests kids usually learn the truth about Santa between ages 7 and 8. While most handle it well, those who find out later, abruptly, or from others might feel more disappointed. Despite the initial sadness, the magic of Santa lives on as many parents continue the tradition with their own children.
In 2025, Santa Claus is approximately 1,700 years old, based on his historical inspiration, Saint Nicholas, who was born around 280 AD in Turkey, making him an ancient, timeless figure who continues to deliver joy, though some estimates place him slightly older or younger depending on the exact birth year used.
The dark history of Santa Claus stems from older European folklore featuring terrifying figures like Krampus and Père Fouettard, who punished naughty children with switches, chains, or even abduction, acting as the "bad cop" to Saint Nicholas's "good cop," punishing the wicked while Saint Nick rewarded the good, a tradition rooted in pagan winter rites and medieval tales of cannibalism and violence.
In the first two decades of the 20th century, the image of Santa Claus that we mainly recognize today became pretty well standardized. His rotund girth, red suit trimmed in white fur, the hearty laugh and the twinkling eyes were fully established characteristics of old St. Nick.
No, Coca-Cola didn't invent Santa's red suit, but their popular advertising campaign starting in 1931, featuring Haddon Sundblom's jolly, red-clad Santa, significantly shaped and cemented the modern image of a plump, red-suited Santa in the public's mind, making the red suit ubiquitous. Santa had appeared in red before Coke, drawing from Saint Nicholas and earlier illustrations, but Coke's extensive, decades-long marketing campaign made the look universally recognizable.
In 1931, the Coca Cola Corporation contracted the Swedish commercial artist Haddon Sundblom to create a coke-drinking Santa. Sundblom modeled his Santa on his friend Lou Prentice, chosen for his cheerful, chubby face.
Failing at temptation, the Daemons instead kidnap Santa Claus; they lasso him as he is riding in his sleigh on Christmas Eve, and bind him in their caverns.
In 1931, Coca-Cola commissioned Haddon to create a series of images featuring Santa Claus for their holiday advertisements. His illustrations depicted Santa enjoying Coca-Cola, showcasing a warm, friendly, and approachable version of the holiday figure.
Old Saint Nick
The popular term for Santa prior to this period was Saint Nicholas, a name known from the religious observance of the Feast Day of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6. The Dutch name, SinterKlaas, is actually a derivative of the name Saint Nicholas.
What does Santa look like? Based on flight profile data gathered from over 50 years of NORAD's radar and satellite tracking, NORAD concludes that Santa probably stands about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs approximately 260 pounds (before cookies).
The modern red Santa Claus is closely tied to the Dutch character Sinterklaas who also wore red and white much like Saint Nicholas. During the 19th century Dutch immigrants brought the tale of Sinterklaas, a legendary gift-giver, to America where he eventually became known as Santa Claus.
Kids pick up on facial cues, so having something that obscures expressions can be upsetting. Child development experts believe kids are most apprehensive over strangers—and thus Santa—between the ages of 8 months and 2 years.
There is no reference to Santa Claus in the Bible.
"There is no such thing as being too old to believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy," Kelman tells Yahoo Life. "Letting kids figure it out on their own is preferable to parents breaking the news to them.
Santa loves his white milk and cookies, but after stopping at every child's home, give Santa Claus some flavored milk for a tasty surprise. Or switch out the milk for some holiday eggnog!
There's no specific age when kids stop believing in Santa. “In my experience, most children begin to question the myth at about 7 or 8 years old, but the ages vary widely,” says Coleman.
Santa Claus is a magical figure rooted in the historical Saint Nicholas, but in modern times, the presents and the "magic" come from parents and family who embody the spirit of giving; parents are the ones who fill stockings and put gifts under the tree, making them the real-life Santa figures, while the idea of Santa is about generosity and kindness.
Santa Claus' origins date back to about 280 A.D. when St. Nicholas was born, the History Channel reports. This would make Santa approximately 1,744 years old today.