Santa Claus History & Tracking 2025: Every year, as December rolls in, children worldwide eagerly wait for the arrival of Santa Claus. Today, he is thought of as the jolly man in a red suit with a white
beard, carrying a sack full of gifts for boys and girls on Christmas Eve night, but he is more than just a figure in stories.
From a 3rd-century Greek bishop to a central figure in movies, advertisements and even real-time digital tracking, Santa has undergone a significant transformation over the years.
History of Santa Claus
The story begins centuries ago with Saint Nicolas, who was known for his acts of kindness and secret gift-giving. He was born around AD 280 in Patara, near Myra, now, Turkey. Over time, St. Nicolas became popular across Europe and was renowned as the protector of children and sailors.
His generosity spread across Europe, merging with local customs like the Dutch Sinterklaas and England’s Father Christmas.
The name Santa Claus comes from the Dutch nickname Sinter Klaas, which is short for Sint Nikolaas (Dutch for St Nicholas). Over time, Sinter Klaas slowly turned into the “Santa Claus” we know today.
In 1804, John Pintard, a member of the New York Historical Society, gave out woodcut images of St Nicholas at the society’s annual meeting. These images already included some things we now associate with Santa, like stockings filled with toys and fruit hanging over a fireplace.
Then, in 1809, writer Washington Irving helped make Santa even more famous. In his book The History of New York, he called St Nicholas the patron saint of New York.
Santa Claus Myth
- The Santa Claus myth is filled with magic and wonder.
- In 1822, Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” in which he described Santa as a “right jolly old elf”– a portly, cheerful man who could magically climb down chimneys with just a nod.
- The poem also introduced Santa’s miniature sleigh pulled by eight flying reindeer, delivering gifts to children on Christmas Eve.
- In 1881, political cartoonist Thomas Nast further shaped Santa’s appearance. His cartoons in Harper’s Weekly showed a round, happy man with a full white beard, carrying a sack of toys.
- Nast also added details that are now famous such as Santa’s bright red suit trimmed with white fur, living in North Pole, his elves, and Mrs Claus.
- In addition to this, children are told that Santa knows who’s been good or bad, as he keeps a “naughty and nice” list, rewarding well-behaved children with gifts and sometimes leaving coal for those who misbehave.
- Santa can also enter through chimney and this is the reason children hang stockings or socks on their balconies, beds, or fireplaces so Santa can fill them with candies, toys, and small gifts.
- Another myth is that Santa is often accompanied by Mrs Claus and a team of elves.
Santa Claus Evolution
Giving gifts, especially to children, became a big part of Christmas during the early 19th century. Stores started advertising Christmas shopping as early as 1820, and by the 1840s, newspapers were creating special holiday sections filled with ads, often featuring pictures of Santa Claus.
In the early 1890s, the Salvation Army needed money to provide free Christmas meals to poor families. They started dressing unemployed men as Santa Claus and sending them out on the streets of New York to collect donations. These Santas, along with volunteers, have been ringing bells and raising money on street corners ever since.
Santa Claus isn’t just an American tradition as many countries have their own St Nicholas-inspired gift givers.
For example, Christkind or Kris Kringle, an angel-like figure in Switzerland and Germany. Jultomten, a jolly elf who rides a sleigh pulled by goats in Scandinavia; Father Christmas in England, who visits homes on Christmas Eve to fill stockings with treats; and Le Bafana in Italy, a kind witch who rides a broomstick and delivers toys into stockings.
How To Track Santa Claus
Children can track Santa Claus in real time.
NORAD tracks Santa
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has been tracking Santa every Christmas Eve since late 1950s. Originally, it started by accident when a child called a military hotline meant to track Santa, and NORAD decided to continue the tradition.
In 1955, a Sears ad in Colorado Springs mistakenly listed the phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) as a way for children to call Santa. A little girl called, and Colonel Harry Shoup answered. In 1958, NORAD (successor to CONAD) officially took over, creating a yearly tradition of “tracking Santa.”
Today, their website (www.noradsanta.org) lets kids see Santa’s location on a map, play games, and watch videos about his journey.
Google Santa Tracker
Google also offers a Santa Tracker, with interactive games, holiday activities, and fun facts about Santa’s preparations for his worldwide gift delivery. Kids can follow Santa’s sleigh as it travels across countries.
