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WARREN -- The present day Santa Claus and many Christmas-themed customs in America today had their beginnings in many European countries.
Traci Manning, curator of education for the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, was the guest speaker at a program Sunday at the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library on 19th- and 20th-century Christmas traditions.
Manning said that in mid- to late-December, the winter solstice is marked and many holidays throughout the world, including Christmas, are based on the solstice.
"Many cultures celebrate their winter solstice going from the darkness to the light in some sort of way," she said.
Manning said the Druids and Celtic cultures would cut the winter fruit of the mistletoe grown on oak trees, which was considered "the light in the dark winter months."
She said the trees were cut and the yule logs were burned inside a home, sometimes for up to 12 days.
"The biggest celebration that really links to the modern-day celebration of Christmas is the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia in mid-December," Manning said.
She said Saturnalia celebrations revolve around the Roman god Saturn, the god of agriculture, and the agriculture to come as the days start getting longer.
Manning said Saturnalia events are the source of many of the traditions people now associate with Christmas, such as wreaths, candles, feasting and gift-giving.
She said Christmas is not the only Christian holiday celebrated in December. In northern European countries, St. Nicholas Day is celebrated Dec. 6.
"For many European countries, St. Nicholas is a bigger day than Christmas. St. Nicholas was the protector of children," she said. "Santa Claus is a very politicized figure that most people know and love. Many of the customs we have today at Christmas originated in Europe."
Manning said St. Nicholas was depicted as a religious bishop, who was an elderly man with a white beard and hat bringing gifts.
Sinterklaas was one example of a legendary figure based on St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children.
Manning said other images include Krampus, a figure in Europe folklore who, during the Advent season, assists St. Nicholas or Santa Claus by scaring children who have misbehaved.
"Krampus has today become a cult figure. In the United States there are movies and television episodes about Krampus and also Krampus parties and parades. If you are good and behave, you have nothing to worry about Krampus," she said.
CHRISTMAS POEMS
Manning said in the 19th century, poets wrote about Christmas themes that are similar to the image of Christmas and Santa Claus today.
She said in the 1800s, Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" which is today "Twas the Night Before Christmas," which provides images of Santa Claus and Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."
Manning said other traditions that originated in Europe include hanging ornaments on trees brought inside the house, and caroling house to house singing Christmas songs.
During the Civil War in the 1860s, Santa Claus' image was used by cartoonist Thomas Nast as propaganda for favoring the Union on Christmas cards and in illustrations in Harper's Weekly.
In the 20th century, Santa Claus' image was used in advertising for Coca Cola and other products.