Last year I had missed seeing this truck when it came to Chester, so when I heard that it was coming to Wrexham I was adamant to go this year.Its official time for viewing was 12 pm but luckily it had arrived early which gave me time to get some photos of the truck before the crowds came.
Every year we all hear stories of how thanks to Coke Cola Santa now has his red suit.
The History of Santa Claus (pt 1)
1. The legend of Santa Claus is said to go back as far as 280 A.D. to A monk called Saint Nicholas who was know for his piety and kindness.
2. 1821 brought some new elements with publication of the first lithographed book in America, the Children's Friend. This "Sante Claus" arrived from the North in a sleigh with a flying reindeer. The anonymous poem and illustrations proved pivotal in shifting imagery away from a saintly bishop. Sante Claus fit a didactic mode, rewarding good behavior and punishing bad, leaving a "long, black birchen rod . . . directs a Parent's hand to use when virtue's path his sons refuse." Gifts were safe toys, "pretty doll . . . peg-top, or a ball; no crackers, cannons, squibs, or rockets to blow heir eyes up, or their pockets. No drums to stun their Mother's ear, nor swords to make their sisters fear; but pretty books to store their mind with knowledge of each various kind." The sleigh itself even sported a bookshelf for the "pretty books." The book also notably marked S. Claus' first appearance on Christmas Eve, rather than December 6th.
http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/origin-of-santa/
3.
http://www.avictorian.com/Nast_Thomas.html
4. Prior to Nast's work, Santa's outfit was tan in color, and it was he that changed it to red, although he also drew Santa in a green suit. This change is often mistakenly attributed to the work of Haddon Sundblom, who drew images of Santa in advertising for the Coca-Cola Company since 1931.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_suit
I hadn't expected the truck to be so different from the Tv advert, that many of us see at the start of the festive season.
The steps up to the cabin
The above image was on the side of a smaller van parked on Queens Square
The History of Santa Claus (pt 2)
5. In 1931 Coca Cola started to place there ads in popular magazines, Haddon Sundblom an illustrator was commissioned to develop advertising using Santa Claus. Inspiration came from the 1822 poem what is now know by as 'Twas the night before Christmas'. The Christmas ads ran up until 1964 featuring Santa Enjoying a Coca Cola on his rounds whilst delivering presents to all the children. The ads went on to become calendars,posters amongst a few.It is easy to see why Sundbloms Santa is still used today. They are beautifully illustrated and gives a sense of, if Santa was real then you wouldn't mind him dropping in. Its the feel good aspect his calm manner and beaming smile that all is well in the world look he gives. For many Christmas is a time that brings families and friends together,reflection and acts of kindness.Many will disagree and say "its a time for stress over veg and company demands for people to buy the latest gadgets for their children. A time for Debit and a year to pay it off". If only Christmas was as simple as the bygone years of a blood orange and Piece of coal.
http://www.coca-colacompany.com/holidays/the-true-history-of-the-modern-day-santa-claus
Overview
Santa Claus is instead a hybrid, a character descended from a religious figure (St. Nicholas) whose physical appearance and backstory were created and shaped by many different hands over the course of years until he finally coalesced into the now familiar (secular) character of a jolly, rotund, red-and-white garbed father figure who oversees a North Pole workshop manned by elves and travels in a sleigh pulled by eight reindeer to deliver toys to children all around the world every Christmas Eve.
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/santa/cocacola.asp
later on in the evening the truck was going to be light up, but I didn't stay to see that as the crowds of people would of been so vast.
Note
All information regarding the history of Santa Claus is taken from the websites provided
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