The story of Christmas is anything but a tidy little timeline. It’s a 2,000-year mash-up of Roman ragers, sneaky traditions, and one extremely successful soda campaign. Along the way, we meet a gift-giving bishop from Turkey, a mischievous goat-man lurking in the Alps, and a parade of characters who somehow helped turn a humble saint into the jolly icon we call Santa. Let’s rewind to discover the true history of Christmas.
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A Timeline of Christmas
To understand how Christmas developed into the holiday we know today, it helps to start at the very beginning. The earliest roots of the celebration stretch back to ancient Rome.
Late December, Ancient Rome – Saturnalia
Before Christmas existed, the Romans threw Saturnalia, a weeklong festival with gambling, gift-giving, role reversals, and general chaos. Slaves got temporary freedom, social rules dissolved, and the city celebrated as the days began to lengthen again.
👉 Considering Rome for the holidays? Check out our guide to spending Christmas in Rome!
274 AD: Emperor Aurelian Declares December 25th “Sol Invictus” Day
Aurelian formalizes December 25th as the birthday of Sol Invictus, the “Unconquerable Sun.” The idea was simple: even at winter’s weakest point, the sun would return stronger. This set the date’s importance long before Christianity adopted it.
4th Century: Early Christians Adopt December 25th
Christian leaders choose December 25th to celebrate the birth of Jesus—not because of historical accuracy, but because Romans were already partying that day. Aligning Christian worship with established traditions helped the faith spread more easily across the empire.
270–343 AD: The Life of St. Nicholas in Myra (Modern Turkey)
Nicholas, born in Patara, becomes Bishop of Myra and earns fame for his generosity. The most famous tale describes him secretly gifting bags of gold to three girls to save them from prostitution. His reputation leads to widespread devotion and, eventually, sainthood.
1087: Italian Merchants Steal St. Nicholas’s Relics
Fearing Muslim conquest, sailors take Nicholas’s remains from Myra and transport them to Bari, Italy, where they remain today. This event supercharges Western European devotion and makes Bari an important pilgrimage destination.
Medieval Europe: St. Nicholas Traditions Spread
St. Nicholas’s feast day, December 6th, becomes a gift-giving day across Europe. Regional traditions appear:
- Krampus in the Alps: a horned creature who punishes misbehaving children
- Knecht Ruprecht in Germany: a rough servant carrying ashes
These customs merge charity with warnings—very medieval, very effective.
15th Century: Sinterklaas Appears in the Netherlands
In the Low Countries, St. Nicholas becomes Sinterklaas, a bishop in red and white robes who arrives on a white horse. Children leave shoes out for gifts, and naughty kids risk being beaten with a sack. Sinterklaas lives in Spain, not the North Pole, and is accompanied by human helpers rather than elves.
16th Century: The Reformation Shifts Gift-Giving to December 25th
Martin Luther and other reformers discourage devotion to saints. In Lutheran regions (Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia), gift-giving moves from December 6th to December 25th, connecting it directly to the celebration of Christ. Catholic regions keep December 6th traditions much longer.
17th Century: Dutch Colonists Bring Sinterklaas to New Amsterdam
When the Dutch settled New Amsterdam (modern New York City), they brought Sinterklaas with them. Over time, the name anglicizes into “Santa Claus.” The character is still a thin bishop, not the jolly figure we recognize today.
1809: Washington Irving Jokes About a Flying St. Nicholas
In his satirical “Knickerbocker’s History of New York,” Irving describes St. Nicholas flying over rooftops delivering gifts. This humorous detail quietly plants seeds for the modern Santa myth.
1823: “A Visit from St. Nicholas” Defines Santa’s Look
Clement Clarke Moore publishes the poem now known as ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. It introduces key elements:
- A sleigh
- Eight named reindeer
- Chimney entries
- Twinkling eyes and a round bell
Santa is still elf-sized at this point—but the transformation has begun.
1863–1886: Thomas Nast Illustrates the Modern Santa
Political cartoonist Thomas Nast gives Santa his modern body and lifestyle:
- Full adult size
- Red suit with fur trim
- North Pole workshop
- Naughty and nice list
This becomes the visual template for Santa Claus around the world.
1931: Coca-Cola Popularizes the Santa We Know
Coca-Cola commissions artist Haddon Sundblom to create a friendly, plump, red-suited Santa. His warm, approachable version becomes the global standard thanks to Coke’s long-running Christmas campaign.
1939–1949: Rudolph Joins the Sleigh Team
Montgomery Ward invents Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for a promotional booklet in 1939. The story turns iconic when the song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” becomes a major hit in 1949. Europe eventually adopts him, too—an American addition to an originally European tradition.
Mid–Late 20th Century: The Rise of Christmas Shopping Culture
Christmas shifts toward commercial celebration:
- Mall Santas
- Gift catalogs
- TV ads
- Standardized Christmas morning gift-opening
- Black Friday (named by Philadelphia police in the 1950s)
By the 1980s, Christmas is firmly a global shopping season, not just a religious holiday.
21st Century: A Trillion-Dollar Holiday
Today, Americans alone spend over $1 trillion on Christmas gifts annually. European cities blend ancient traditions with modern markets, lights, and winter festivals. What began as Roman parties and saintly charity has become one of the world’s most celebrated—and commercial—holidays.
See Where the History of Giving Started
Love uncovering the real stories behind Europe’s past? These tours take you straight into the relics, power shifts, and turning points that shaped the continent.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out articles on the best tours to take in Rome and why.
Final Thoughts
The story of Christmas is a world tour of chaos, charm, and clever reinvention. It began with Roman revelers, survived medieval superstition, navigated Dutch canals, and ultimately entered modern culture with a marketing makeover that would make any influencer proud.
Heading to Europe for the holidays? Check out these guides:
Christmas in Florence Travel Guide
Christmas in London Travel Guide
Christmas in Paris Travel Guide
Best Destinations for Christmas in France
