The city is now in 'Christmas mode'. Christmas is just one day away. It's already difficult to set foot in the New Market and Park Street area. The streets are floating in lights, along with the lanes and alleys of the Anglo neighbourhood. Christmas trees are decorated on roads, in shops, restaurants, and homes. Standing tirelessly beside them is Santa Claus. White hair and beard, wearing a red suit, with white fur on the sleeves and waist belt. A red and white cap on his head, too. The bag on his shoulder is also red.
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There can be debate about whether Santa comes when Christmas arrives or whether Santa brings Christmas with him. However, whichever corner of the world Santa arrives at, everything around turns somewhat reddish when he comes. Even the little ones want to dress up in red clothes like Santa. Santa's red cap has been selling briskly for about a week. Getting 'secret' gifts from Santa's bag on Christmas Eve doesn't feel bad either. He has been doing this work for ages to bring smiles to everyone's faces. Many things have changed, keeping pace with the times. Only Santa's gift-giving tradition and his costume haven't changed. Have you ever wondered why the old man's costume never changes? Doesn't he have any other clothes? Does the Santa Claus community have a specific uniform?
History says that today's Santa suit was actually inspired by the 4th-century Greek bishop Saint Nicholas. He reportedly used to go out in disguise, wrapped in a bright red robe, to give gifts to poor children. However, the world began to become familiar with the Santa Claus character from 1800 AD, thanks to a saint named Sinterklaas in New York. Behind commercializing that 'fictional' old man are the big businessmen of that country. Santa began to be used as an advertising 'tool' from 1840 AD. A BBC report states that the Coca-Cola company is responsible for dressing today's Santa Claus in red and white clothing. Coca-Cola has a reputation worldwide as a soft, cold drink. The company's logo colours are red and white. Santa's costume colours were chosen to match that.
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Santa also became the face of advertising campaigns for a company called 'White Rock'. It is believed that from that time, Santa's red and white clothes became a kind of uniform. The colours haven't changed for generations. Western countries have made Santa 'immortal' largely for commercial interests. Many movies have been made about him, too. British singer and actor Leedham Bantock gave the idea of what Santa should look like. He first played his character in the 1912 film Santa Claus. Since then, Santa has had 'call-time' in many English films. But in the same costume. With a red robe, cap, and bag.
