Coca-Cola and Santa Claus; What’s there in between these two popular brands?

During the month of December, a white-bearded man dressed in red coat with white fur collar and cuffs carrying a bag over his shoulders has been quite a common sight to see in Nepal, especially since the past decade. They seem to be almost everywhere this time of the year, from the malls, the super stores and the roads of New Road.  It’s always good to see these men jolly in the red and white costumes, singing songs, waiving their hands to pedestrians and wishing a wonderful Christmas to everyone they see.

Prior to 1931, Santa Claus had a very different look to what we know and love now. Back then, Santa was depicted as everything from a tall gaunt man to a spooky-looking elf. A Civil War cartoonist Thomas Nast drew Santa Claus Harper's Weekly in 1862 as a small elf-like figure who supported the union. Nast later on continued to draw Santa for 30 years, changing the color of his coat from tan to the red he’s known for today.