Have you heard that some think Santa Claus is too fat? As is often the case, our icons evolve over time. Apparently, Santa Claus wasn’t always fat. Wait a moment. Let me think of another way to say that. I don’t like calling SC fat. How about portly? Where Santa Claus came from is hardly a mystery. With pagan and Christian roots, he has been around for some time.
Thomas Nast, a political cartoonist in the 19th Century noted for his illustrations in Harper’s Weekly, drew a stouter version of Santa than previous artists, and this image of a plumper Santa stuck. After all, there is more of Santa to love. Nast, of course, must have been influenced by his German roots and St. Nicholas.
Haddon Sundblom’s Santa, which he created for Coca-Cola advertising in the early 1930s is probably the image most of us latch onto. And back to that weight issue. Hey Santa, lay off the Coke!
16 comments:
At least he's not drinking (Ugh!) Pepsi.
I had heard there was a campaign to get Santa to reduce his weight. I don't think it's up to anyone other than Santa, myself.
He's lived a long time, so he must be healthy under the belly!lol
I think portly is cute
I think portly is cute
I love those old fashioned Santa Claus images, (like the Coke one).
Santa is supposed to be a little overweight...from all that good cookin' from Mrs Claus!
The jury is in. We all like Santa just as he is.
There is a reason that Santa is fat, portly, big boneded. Take your pick
Sure, the Santa we see on Christmas Eve is Fat. He's like a bear. He spends all year building up a fatty layer so that he can make the trip around the world in one night. it's like a huge carbo load.
He probably burns a million or so calories on his trip, by the time he returns Rudolph and the gang back to the north poll, lost all that weight.
The rest of the year he lays out on the beach in Florida, tan, trim, probably in a fur lined Speedo
Santa in a Speedo.
I need me a beer.
BFF,
Miss T
Eric,
I'm with Miss T on Santa in a Speedo but your thoughts make sense. Surprised the tabloids haven't captured Santa and Mrs. Claus sunbathing on some tropical beach.
Sheila, I just happened upon your blog, and first, I'd like to say you have a really nice blog.
Maybe Santa should switch to diet coke? My husband switched from regular coke, and lost 55 lbs! But would we love a trim-looking Santa the same way?
Diet sodas are poisonous. None for me!
And about Santa in Speedos (and Ms. Santa in a teeny bikini)--Christmas in Australia is in the summer, for them. They go to the beach.
I preached a sermon about this a few years ago--how our conceptions about Christmas are too stereotyped.
There's a funny song about Christmas in Australia. I'll see if I can find it.
Jay,
I'd love to read your favorite Christmas sermon, even put it up here if you'd care to share. You are right about the stereotyped concepts we carry around with us. It's much more fun to be open to new ways of thinking about old subjects.
Sorry; I don't think I still have it on my computer but I'll look for it.
I sent you a couple of Aussie Christmas songs via E-mail.
Poor old Santa! Over here in England a shopping centre is running a boot camp for overweight Santas Sheila and shoppers can watch as they are put through their paces! When I was growing up I thought half the fun of Christmas was having my photo taken sitting on the knee of a chubby Santa. Whoever heard of a slim Santa Claus!
Hot off the press: Sumo wrestlers often live to be in their 80-90s, so a researcher from Harvard checked into it and it is because they get lots exercise...ergo---all that carrying heavy toys and crawling up/down chimneys--Santa can be as tubby as he wants and continue to live forever. YEAH!
Love your answer. Exercise is key. Yes, indeedy.
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