Table of Contents
Acknowledgments vi
Preface 1
1 The Remarkable Diversity, and Simultaneous Commonality, of the Worlds Midwinter Gift-Givers 5
2 Setting the Record Straight on the Nicholas-to-Irving-to-Moore-to-Nast History of Santa Claus 17
3 The Celebration of Christmas Before Christ 25
4 The Establishment of the Nativity of Jesus as a Christian Holiday 37
5 The Midwinter Celebrations of Yule in Northern Europe 41
6 The Emergence of St. Nicholas as a Seasonal Gift-Giver 46
7 The Identity and Emergence of the Evil Helpers of St. Nicholas 54
8 The Protestant Reformation and the Suppression of St. Nicholas 64
9 Knecht Ruprecht: Pagan God, Evil Helper or Faux Nicholas? 71
10 Gift-Givers in Germany and Central Europe: St. Nicholas, the Christ Child, Der Weihnachtsmann and Knecht Ruprecht 81
11 Gift-Givers in the British Isles: Father Christmas Still Reigns 94
12 Gift-Givers in the Benelux Nations: Sinterklaas and Black Peter 105
13 Gift-Givers in Scandinavia: The Yule Goats, Gnomes and Elves 110
14 Gift-Givers in the Southern Half of Europe: The Christ Child, Le Befana and the Three Kings 113
15 Gift-Givers in Russia and Eastern Europe: Ded Moroz and Snegurochka 119
16 How the Celebration of Christmas Came to the English Colonies in America (or Not) 127
17 The Purported Role of Washington Irving in the Introduction of St. Nicholas to America 134
18 How the Poem Now Known as "The Night Before Christmas" Started the Santa Ball Rolling 150
19 Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due: William B. Gilley and Arthur J. Stansbury and The Children's Friend 159
20 From Moore to Nast: The Depictions of Santa from the 1820s through the 1890s 164
21 The Ups and Downs of Santa in the Twentieth Century 195
Epilogue: The Santas of Christmas Future 206
Chapter Notes 209
Bibliography 231
Index 237
