For most of us, Christmas is synonymous with Santa Claus – a fat man dressed in fur who travels across the world in his reindeer-drawn sleigh to distribute gifts to the children who’ve been good. The festival is celebrated with joy, love and laughter. It is a time for family, with loved ones coming together.

Literature has heavily influenced our perception of Christmas and has played a crucial role in creating the image of a jolly Santa with his reindeer. Through poems, short stories and novels, authors like Charles Dickens have influenced the way we celebrate Christmas today, and we are ever so grateful for it.

Interested in knowing when and how literature impacted Christmas? Read this beautiful Christmas-themed infographic to find out.

Bibliography

1. https://electricliterature.com/a-history-of-the-christmas-story-not-altogether-christmas-but-christmas-all-together/
2. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-literature-of-christm_b_799482
3. https://americanliterature.com/christmas
4. https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/science-santa-history-the-origins-of-santa-claus/
5. https://theweek.com/articles/479681/history-santa-claus-7-interesting-facts
6. https://www.history.com/topics/christmas/history-of-christmas
7. https://interestingliterature.com/2014/12/24/24-amazing-literature-facts-for-christmas/
8. https://theculturetrip.com/europe/articles/10-books-you-need-to-read-before-christmas/
9. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-04-bk-32004-story.html
10. https://medium.com/the-mission/the-30-best-christmas-books-of-all-time-c492c468051b
11. https://www.charlesdickenspage.com/a-christmas-dinner.html
12. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10549639