‘The Santy Claus myth’: The Politicisation of Santa Claus During the Great Depression

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article argues that the commercial celebration of Christmas and children’s reverence to Santa Claus became politically contentious during the Great Depression when well-established Christmas traditions were threatened by economic strife. Growing numbers of parents simply could not afford to fill their children's stockings. Santa Claus was easily recognisable as a religious and cultural figure but during the Depression era the potential political connotations and messages of the legend became clear, especially when under threat. The nation’s ability or otherwise to indulge youths in Christmas fantasies and fun became a barometer for the health of capitalism and the nation. Santa Claus embodied important American values including the emerging right to a childhood, Christianity, and the capitalist system. Some radical youths participated in so-called anti-Christmas parties and pledged to expose what they called ‘the Santy Claus myth’ to their peers whilst journalists, literary figures, philanthropists, and the federal government mobilized together to protect Christmas traditions including the cult of Santa Claus. In doing so they worked to protect a form of celebration which had wider implications. Any percieved attack on the notion of Santa Claus was not only an attack on fun but was interpretted as an attack on the United States and its ideals.