A little history behind Santa in Department Stores

A little history behind Santa in Department Stores

Each year, shoppers are greeted by the sights of the holiday season at area stores, including strung garland, lights and masses of bright red poinsettia plants. However, it's an appearance by the man in red that really signifies the arrival of Christmas.

Department stores count on Santa Claus to attract customers to pose for pictures and shop the day away. History suggests the department store Santa made his debut in 1841, when J.W. Parkinson, a Philadelphia merchant, hired a man to dress up in a "Kris Kringle" outfit and climb the chimney of his store. It wasn't until forty years later that a Boston merchant repeated the idea, hiring a Scottish immigrant named Edgar, who happened to be tall and a little round around the middle and who boasted a white beard, a warm voice and a hearty laugh.