Did Coca-Cola Invent Santa Claus?
While Coca Cola didn't invent the concept of Santa Clause himself, they certainly helped shape our modern understanding of him through their iconic advertisements featuring Haddon Sundblom's artwork and other events such as sponsoring Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!
Dec. 25, 2022 5:13AM
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A festive illustration depicting Coca Cola and Santa Claus side by side with snowflakes falling around them
For decades, the image of Santa Claus has been associated with Coca-Cola. But did the iconic soft drink company actually invent him? The answer is a bit complicated. The idea of Santa Claus can be traced back to the 4th century, when Saint Nicholas was said to have delivered gifts to children in his hometown of Myra. But it wasn’t until 1931 that Coca-Cola popularized the image we know today – a plump, jolly old man wearing a red suit and hat. That year, artist Haddon Sundblom created an illustration for Coke’s holiday campaign featuring a figure inspired by Clement Moore’s 1823 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (more commonly known as “Twas The Night Before Christmas). This depiction of Santa became so popular that it has been used in advertisements ever since. Coca-Cola didn’t invent Santa Claus – but they certainly helped shape our modern understanding of him. From their ads featuring Sundblom's artwork to their sponsorship of events like Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Coke has played an integral role in making sure that everyone knows who Santa is and what he looks like. As a result, many people associate the two together – even if they don't realize why! So while Coca-Cola didn't invent Santa Claus himself, they definitely had a hand in creating the version we know and love today. Whether you're sipping on some eggnog or enjoying an ice cold Coke this holiday season, make sure to take some time to appreciate how much our favorite soft drink company has done for Christmas cheer!