Once upon a time there was a busy, yet highly compassionate and generous bachelor. He became known the world over, but lacked something in his life: a wife. Mrs. Claus often takes a back seat to her more famous husband, Santa, but it’s time her history was told.

Mrs Claus- subject of literature, film and art...but who was she? (Photo Courtesy Enesco)
Mrs Claus: subject of literature, film and art…but who was she? (Figurine Photo Courtesy Enesco)

Santa began as Saint Nicholas – a bishop from Myra (modern-day Turkey), who was known as an eccentric and generous man. His story gradually turned into the Dutch “Sinterklaas”… and came to America with Dutch immigrants, only to become “Santa Claus” in the late 1700s. He acquired assorted trappings of the modern Santa;  his reindeer, his distinctive laugh… but no mention of a wife, not until 1849, when author James Rees hinted at her existence in one of his morality stories.

The first reference to Mrs. Claus in print. "A Christmas Legend" by James Rees (1849)
The first reference to Mrs. Claus in print.
“A Christmas Legend” by James Rees (1849)

The world didn’t know much about this mystery woman who captured the heart of Santa, but Harper’s Magazine speculated and featured her in  a dozen red petticoats in 1862. ( Maybe she got her fashion cues from Queen Victoria’s Balmoral petticoat.  A  little history about that  particular garment here, at the Dreamstress.) Fifteen years after later, the world got another peek into her life in the book, “Lill’s Travels in Santa Claus Land” by Ella Farman which you can read on the Gutenberg Project.

Illustration from Lills Travels in Santa Claus Land 1878 (Courtesy Gutenburg.org)
Illustration from Lills Travels in Santa Claus Land 1878 (Courtesy Gutenburg.org)

People needed to know more! What made her tick? What was this magical woman like? What was her role in Santa’s organization? Author Katherine Lee Bates answered some of those questions in 1889’s “Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride”.

Author Katherine Lee Bates spotlighted Mrs Claus in "Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride"
Author Katherine Lee Bates offered more of a character description than had been shared before
The saucy Mrs Claus from "Goody Santa Claus"
The saucy Mrs. Claus from Bates story

From then until the early 1960s, Mrs. Claus was a known but supporting player in Santa’s life and work (typical!). Once her story made it into Family Circle magazine,  her popularity soared! Each year another chapter was added to her biography through books, movies and television shows.

She swung through the 60’s…

Mrs Claus (we hope) appearing on a greeting card
Mrs Claus (we hope) appearing on a greeting card
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, 1964
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, 1964

And became an icon in the 70’s…

We learned more of Mrs Claus' backstory in 1970's Santa Claus is Coming to Town
We learned more of Mrs. Claus’ backstory in 1970’s Santa Claus is Coming to Town
A Year Without Santa Claus
She shows her wits and gumption in 1974’s A Year Without Santa Claus

Through the 1980s…

Judy Cornwell in Santa Claus: The Movie
Judy Cornwell in Santa Claus: The Movie

and beyond!

Mrs Claus from Arthur Christmas, 2011
The woman who CAN do it all: Mrs. Claus from Arthur Christmas, 2011

Mrs. Claus isn’t a one dimensional support player in Santa’s life- when the spotlight shines on her it’s easy to see depth, wisdom, wit, beauty, endurance and some really amazing cookie recipes. We are honored to shine that light in this podcast.

For some more information about Mrs. Claus and others involved in her story, check out tvtropes.com, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Mrs Claus

The ad that made Beckett cry in 2017!

End song: Santa Will Find You, Mindy Smith

As always, music is provided by Music Alley, end music: Santa Will Find You by Mindy Smith