Why is Santa So American?

Why is Santa So American?

Author: Liam Heffernan December 16, 2025 Duration: 46:19

Last year, I asked ‘Who is Santa Claus?’ We discussed the origins and early incarnations of the figure we now understand to be Santa through a more global lens. So this year, I want to continue this conversation, but look specifically at how he became America’s poster boy for Christmas, and why this could be challenged in future, as I ask… why is Santa so American?

...

Special guest for this episode:

  1. Thomas Ruys Smith, a Professor of American Literature and Culture and Deputy Director of the New Area Studies Research Centre. In 2023, he published The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, and his new book, Searching for Santa Claus: An Anthology of the Poems, Stories and Illustrations That Shaped an American Icon, is available to buy now.
  2. Vaughn Joy, whose doctoral research, Selling Out Santa, focuses specifically on Hollywood Christmas Films in the age of McCarthy.

...

Highlights from this episode:

  1. The discussion revolved around the transformation of Santa Claus into an American cultural icon over the years.
  2. We explored how Santa's early depictions varied regionally across America, reflecting different cultural influences and customs.
  3. The podcast highlighted the role of commercialism in shaping Santa’s image, especially during the rise of department stores in the late 19th century.
  4. Santa Claus has evolved through various literary and film interpretations, reflecting societal values and changes in American culture.
  5. The conversation touched on the implications of Santa's myth on children's expectations around Christmas and societal values of generosity and goodwill.
  6. We examined how modern iterations of Santa are influenced by current events and cultural shifts, showcasing his adaptability in American folklore.

...

Additional Resources:

Amazon.com: The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman edited by Thomas Ruys Smith

Searching for Santa Claus: An Anthology of the Poems, Stories and Illustrations That Shaped an American Icon by Thomas Ruys Smith

Selling Out Santa: Hollywood Christmas Films in the Age of McCarthy by Vaughn Joy


Hosted by Liam Heffernan, America: The Story of the USA is a deep and ongoing conversation about the forces that have shaped the nation. This isn't just a history lesson; it's an exploration of how the past directly informs today's headlines and cultural shifts. Each episode brings together a remarkable range of voices, from Nobel laureates and acclaimed historians to veteran journalists, to dissect pivotal moments and current events with nuance and depth. You'll hear discussions that connect the dots between a centuries-old political decision and a modern social movement, or examine a breaking news story through the lens of long-standing cultural patterns. The aim is to provide a richer, more connected understanding of the American experience in all its complexity. By weaving together threads from history, politics, society, and culture, this podcast offers a comprehensive and thoughtful narrative. For those who want to look beyond the soundbites and understand the deeper currents running through the United States, this series serves as an essential and engaging resource. Tune in for a consistently insightful analysis that treats the American story as the living, evolving saga that it truly is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

America: The Story of the USA
Podcast Episodes
Study Notes: The Rules of American Football [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:57
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.This week, The Rules of American Football - a brief history of the game, and everything you need to k…
In the Making: The Return of the Epstein Files [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:48
This week, we're talking about the DOJ's release of three million documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein, and Trump's suggestion of nationalising elections.Plus Sanam Naraghi Anderlini MBE discusses growing tension in the…
What is The Last of the Mohicans? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:56
Set in the forests of upstate New York during the French and Indian War, James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 novel has become one of the most enduring works of early American literature. It helped define the frontier myth, shap…
Study Notes: A Brief History of the 50 States [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:44
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.This week, A Brief History of the 50 States. I’ll explain how the United States grew from the 13 orig…
In the Making: Is America About to Strike Iran? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:40
This week, we're talking about Trump showing signs of cooling on ICE in Minnesota, social media giants feel the pressure, plus Mr. Potato Head finds himself at the center of a legal dispute.Plus, the US are lining up for…
What Was the American Revolutionary War? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:00
This week, we explore what is arguably the most consequential event in the creation of the United States, reshaping the Western world by enshrining new concepts of liberty, equality, and self-governance. So I want to kno…
Study Notes: US Time Zones Explained [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:23
America: Study Notes are quickfire explainers for all the things you want to know about the USA, but don't want to ask.This week, US time zones: what they are, why they exist, and a few quick tips so you don’t miss a lec…
In the Making: The End of the Special Relationship [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:23
This week, on America: In the Making…Will Greenland be the death of the UK-US special relationship?AI-generated confusion after Monkeys escape a zoo in Missouri, andOne small step for Congress, one giant leap for mankind…
Who is JFK? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:33
Today, we turn our focus to a figure who remains as enigmatic as he is iconic. Ascending to the presidency at one of the tensest moments in American and world history, he energized a nation with his call for a “New Front…
America: The Story of the USA Returns Soon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:41
In July 2023, I launched a bit of a passion project, with my old lecturers at the University of East Anglia.America: A History was born.But a lot has changed in two and half years.And we thought it was about time we did…