The Perpetuation of Santa Claus: An Anthropological Analysis of a Cultural Ritual in North America

Abstract

Santa Claus is a remarkably flexible example of active syncretic mythology. He is a towering figure who, with key exceptions, has curiously escaped deep anthropological inquiry. This thesis is a snapshot of the myth-in-progress in the year 2024 in the United States of America, widely considered the birthplace of modern-day Santa Claus. It considers the historical roots of Santa Claus, the history of modern Santa mythology, and the evolving nature of the associated rituals over the course of two centuries. It then collects and analyzes first-hand qualitative data from a series of semi-structured interviews with the parents who are actively shaping the myth for the next generations. These interviews reveal the powerful homogeneity of the myth at the societal level and the dynamic flexibility of the myth at the local, individual, and family levels. The top-down and bottom-up interactions between these levels helps us build toward a comprehensive anthropological understanding of what, exactly, is going on here.