Why Santa Claus Wears Red

Santa Claus’s iconic red suit did not begin with Coca-Cola but has roots that stretch back centuries. The tradition starts with Saint Nicholas, a real fourth-century Greek bishop known for secretly giving gifts to children. He was often depicted wearing red and white robes, colors linked to his church role and generosity.

The legend later evolved through Dutch settlers, who brought stories of Sinterklaas to the Americas in the 1800s. As the tale blended with American culture, the name became Santa Claus. Writers and artists in New York helped shape his personality, most notably Clement Clarke Moore in A Visit from St. Nicholas, which portrayed Santa as a cheerful, chimney-hopping figure.

By the 1840s, Santa was already appearing in Christmas advertisements, frequently dressed in red, as merchants used the friendly character to promote holiday shopping. In the 1870s, illustrator Thomas Nast solidified the modern look, depicting Santa with a red suit, white trim, and a round, jolly appearance.

Coca-Cola’s influence came in 1931, when the company commissioned illustrator Haddon Sundblom to create Santa advertisements. His warm, rosy-cheeked version became globally popular, reinforcing the red-suited image. While Coca-Cola did not invent Santa’s red outfit, its advertising made the image nearly impossible to forget.