Old World Santas

The term 'Old World Santas' or 'Old World Santa Claus' most commonly is used in reference to the characters before the term 'Santa Claus' was officially coined. Belsnickel, Father Christmas, even Saint Nicholas figures have been referred to as 'Old World Santas', and most old world Santas have their roots in greater Europe. Our own Santa Claus, before he was so colorfully adorned by Hadan Sundblom and Coca-Cola, was often pictured wearing dirty and worn garb, and in furs, and covered in soot. These early ancestors to modern day Claus have also been described as 'Old-World Santas'. Regardless of the true definition, they typically just have that 'old-world'(European) look and are usually representations of a Santa or gift-giver of earlier times.