Ugh, you’d think that there would be a simple way to locate various new versions of Santa Claus. No such luck. Well then, I guess I’m just going to have to go with what I know, and if I miss some cool interpretation of Santa Claus. Tell the internet to get with the game so that new late 20th and early 21st century renditions of Santa Claus are more easily found. Ahem. Sorry. Now let’s have a look at what I have compiled with what I could go with.
One version of Santa Claus that I believe is more familiar to the 1990's and early 2000's is the one that steps into the story and remains hidden. The film example that I have is the Hallmark or Hallmark-like film Mary Christmas, the story of a tv reporter running a Christmas special on a dad and his eight-year-old daughter as they get ready for the holidays. The girl’s nanny is this mysterious old gentleman who is incredibly good with kids, seems to work little bits of magic, and starts eyeing the clocks as the sun sets on Christmas Eve. This is the hidden Santa. A Santa that the audience may start to suspect, but the other characters never find out or only find out at the end. Another semi-example would be Borrowed Hearts from Feature Films for Families, but the mysterious gentleman in question is hinted at being an angel, not Santa. So yeah, that story doesn’t quite count.
The next Santa is the swashbuckling warrior. Now some of you may be going, “Wait, what! Santa a warrior?!” But of course, he is a guardian of children after all. At least since Joyce Williams fashioned the character of Nicholas St. North. He is a Russian bandit king. Well, okay, sorry if that is wrong. I have yet to read the books, but that is what I picked up from some fanfictions. The version I am most familiar with is his film adaption: North. A larger than life sort of guy who loves big celebrations and gets super excited about preparing for said celebrations. But he is kind and fatherly as he coaxes the newest guardian out of his shell and to find something out about himself. He is the Guardian of Wonder, finding joy in his ice sculpture prototypes, long-suffering with crazy (Minion-like) elves, and supportive of his yeti toymakers, guards, and all around helpers. Yes, this is Rise of the Guardian. Now some of you out there may have seen the film and not really liked it, but I personally really enjoyed it and I kinda like this Santa. I’m not really sure of any other warrior Santas, although Disney’s version of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe features a Father Christmas who could possibly fit the bill with his leather garments and weather-worn face.
I have also caught glimpses of Santas who are part of a family tradition. The title of Santa Claus has been passed down from father to son for generations. Of course the only reason, we as the audience find out is because some sort of trouble has befallen the next generation. Who knows, there may even be a tale where it is the older generation that has the trouble. I’m not sure of the title, but I had caught the end of a film about the newest Santa Claus trying to find his Mrs. Claus.
Unfortunately this is the extent of my knowledge of new Santas out there. Do you know about any books or films that showcase a new or unusual Santa? I am not really interested in any dark or evil Santas (just throwing that out there since I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some like that). If you do, I wouldn’t mind hearing about him. I love discovering new stories.
I will admit that there is one Santa that I rarely find but that I really like. Santa worshiping Jesus whether tenderly holding Him or kneeling before the manger. I personally think it is a nice blending of the two traditions for those families who believe in the Nativity yet don’t mind Santa Claus. I don’t know when someone got the idea to put them together, but I am happy that they did.
Well, that wraps up my blogging for 2019. Such as it was. Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things. See you next year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
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