I overheard an adult say, “But the real Santa is white,” while I was shopping for holiday decorations with two of my kids. My eyes rolled instinctively at the comment. Sure, I could have interjected to clarify that Santa isn’t actually real, but I didn’t want to shatter a child’s festive spirit. Still, I was fuming inside.
Call him Santa Claus, Saint Nick, or Father Christmas—it’s time to retire the notion that Santa can only be depicted as a white man. This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered this perspective, and it certainly won’t be the last. Growing up, I was surrounded by the traditional image of Santa: the jolly old man with blue eyes and rosy cheeks, featured in Coca-Cola commercials and classic holiday films like Miracle on 34th Street and Home Alone. I never thought twice about it until my world changed 11 years ago when we welcomed our first child, a beautiful black girl named Mia.
That first Christmas, a friend gifted us a collection of ornaments that showcased Santa, angels, and children of color. I vividly remember the joy I felt as I adorned our tree, knowing that Mia would see a Santa that looked like her—a Santa she could relate to. I wanted her to grow up believing that the magic of Christmas wasn’t limited to a white Santa who bore no resemblance to her.
Over the years, our family has gathered a rich assortment of decorations featuring brown-skinned Santas, angels with natural hair, and nativities that reflect diversity. Each December, we make it a tradition to visit a Black Santa, capturing countless memories as we watch the delight on our kids’ faces when they see him. The most heartwarming moment is when one of them exclaims, “Santa is brown like me.”
That joy should not be exclusive to my children just because they share Santa’s skin tone. As society becomes more diverse, it’s crucial for all children to see representation in their holiday traditions.
I understand that some view my enthusiasm for Black Santa as excessive or unnecessary. I’ve faced arguments suggesting that we should simply let Santa be Santa and not complicate tradition with discussions of race. These perspectives often stem from a place of privilege, where whiteness is the default and anything else feels threatening.
Before becoming a mom, the only person of color I saw in Christmas decorations was the singular brown wise man in nativity scenes. He was merely a token—an afterthought among the predominantly white figures. Yet, history tells us that Jesus and his contemporaries were not white. Yes, you read that right—Jesus was not white. This revelation may shake up some traditional views, but it’s essential to acknowledge the reality of cultural representation.
As a mom in a multiracial family, I now empathize with how people of color must have felt for generations—seeing themselves represented only as a side character in a story that didn’t reflect their reality. It’s about time that Santa, too, reflects the rich diversity of the world we live in.
I’ve noticed positive changes in holiday merchandise in recent years. This year, I found a delightful array of Black Santas at my local store—so many that I had to restrain myself from spending a fortune. From wrapping paper to ornaments, diversity is finally making its way into our holiday celebrations.
It’s crucial for parents to embrace this change and teach their children that Santa can come in all colors. Let’s not limit our holiday spirit to outdated stereotypes. Instead, we should celebrate the diversity that enriches our lives.
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In summary, it’s time to redefine who Santa is in our homes, embracing a world where children of all backgrounds can see themselves in the magic of the season.
Keyphrase: Santa diversity in holiday traditions
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