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Father Christmas: life of the week

Father Christmas: life of the week

Thomas Ruys Smith discusses the cultural life and career of Father Christmas

Matt Elton

Published: December 23, 2025 at 8:00 AM

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Father Christmas – or Santa Claus – is one of western culture’s most recognisable figures. But from his mysterious origins to quite how he ended up as owner of a North Pole workshop staffed by elves, much about the festive season’s main man remains a mystery. In this episode, Thomas Ruys Smith joins Matt Elton to discuss the cultural life and career of the benevolent gift-giver – and reveals when Santa Claus first had to battle Father Christmas for the crown of festive figurehead.

Authors

Matt EltonPodcast editor

Matt Elton is the podcast editor at HistoryExtra