The Most Commercialized Brand in History. Built by Graphic Designers Powered by Commercialism.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Angry Designer - Episode: "The Most Commercialized Brand in History. Built by Graphic Designers Powered by Commercialism"

Host/Authors:
Massimo (A) and Sean (B)
Release Date: December 24, 2024
Podcast Description: A no-bull graphic design podcast that helps frustrated graphic designers crush the social and industry bull, learn to charge what they're worth, and build badass rewarding creative careers.

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Introduction

In this festive episode, Massimo and Sean delve deep into the commercialization of Christmas, unraveling its origins, evolution, and the significant role graphic designers and marketers have played in shaping the holiday into the most commercialized brand in history.

Origins of Christmas Traditions

The Christmas Tree

The discussion begins with the history of the Christmas tree. Massimo explains that the use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands dates back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews, symbolizing eternal life. However, the modern Christmas tree, as we know it, originated in western Germany during the medieval period as a prop in plays about Adam and Eve. These "Paradise Trees" were celebrated on December 24th, merging pagan traditions with budding Christian practices.

Sean adds, "The Christmas tree might actually be one of the oldest parts of the whole tradition."

Santa Claus

Massimo traces the evolution of Santa Claus from St. Nicholas, a Turkish monk admired for his generosity, to the jolly figure we recognize today. St. Nicholas's feast day on December 6th was celebrated by Dutch immigrants in America, leading to the creation of "Sinterklaus." Over time, writers reimagined St. Nicholas, stripping him of religious connotations and introducing elements like magical wagons and reindeer.

A pivotal moment came in 1822 when Clement Clark Moore penned "The Night Before Christmas," inspired by a shopping trip ("[25:43] A: Clement Clark Moore brought these all together in a poem, which is what they called back then that we now know as The Night Before Christmas"). This poem cemented the modern image of Santa and introduced reindeer names such as Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen.

Reindeer and Rudolph

The origin of reindeer in Christmas lore is discussed next. Initially, reindeer were work animals in Scandinavia, used to pull carts and sleighs. Moore's poem introduced the idea of reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh, and by 1939, Rudolph was added by Robert L. May, a Montgomery Ward copywriter, to boost holiday sales. Sean reflects, "Rudolph was a triumph over bullying and adversity, much like a superhero origin story."

Massimo highlights the commercial success of Rudolph: "By 1985, over 150 million records were sold."

Christmas Stockings

The tradition of hanging Christmas stockings originates from a legend about St. Nicholas saving a poor father from selling his daughters by secretly providing gifts, which landed in their stockings. Massimo humorously warns, "Now I'm scared to hang them because I have three daughters."

Commercialization of Christmas

Massimo and Sean explore how retailers and corporations transformed Christmas into a commercial powerhouse. From the mid-1800s, department stores like Macy's began using festive window displays to attract customers, leading to frenzied shopping behaviors. The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, featuring Santa Claus, became a significant marketing tool.

Massimo states, "[07:00] 'Commercialism took that to another level. Right. So that is how the birth of the Christmas tree as we know it came about.'"

The commercialization extended to elements like tinsel and Christmas pyramids, blending pagan symbols with modern marketing strategies to create a universally appealing holiday.

The Role of Retailers and Corporations

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the influence of major corporations, particularly Coca-Cola, in shaping modern Christmas imagery. Massimo credits Coca-Cola with popularizing Santa's red suit: "[28:14] 'The big red nose. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, that 100 was accredited to Coca-Cola.'"

Coca-Cola's depiction of Santa in the 1930s solidified the image that is globally recognized today. Sean remarks, "Rudolph wouldn't exist without commercialization efforts, but it's a beautiful story born out of capitalism."

Balancing Commercialism and Tradition

Massimo and Sean reflect on the dual nature of Christmas commercialization. While it has led to materialism and stress associated with shopping, it has also reinforced themes of goodwill, generosity, and community spirit. Massimo acknowledges the complexity: "[37:21] 'It is possible, right. Yeah. Of course somebody's got to make money from this.'"

Sean adds, "These are wonderful stories of giving inside of capitalism."

The hosts emphasize that despite the commercial pressures, the core values of warmth, giving, and togetherness remain integral to the holiday's essence.

Insights and Conclusions

Massimo concludes that the brand of Christmas is a rich tapestry woven from centuries of traditions, religious influences, and commercial interests. While commercialization has its downsides, it has also ensured the holiday's widespread popularity and the perpetuation of its positive values.

Sean echoes this sentiment, noting, "This is a very rich brand. It's a very long, triumphant, rich brand that has taken a lot of work."

Massimo wraps up with a balanced perspective: "[41:09] 'Love it or hate it, I'm a fan.' He acknowledges the commercial aspects but appreciates the enduring spirit of Christmas.

Notable Quotes

• Massimo [05:08]: "This has been in the works for thousands of years. Thousands. No, no, no."
• Sean [25:05]: "Rudolph was a triumph over bullying and adversity, much like a superhero origin story."
• Massimo [37:21]: "It is possible, right. Yeah. Of course somebody's got to make money from this."
• Massimo [41:09]: "Love it or hate it, I'm a fan."

Final Thoughts

Massimo and Sean successfully navigate the intricate history and commercialization of Christmas, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of how graphic design and marketing have transformed a religious holiday into a global commercial phenomenon. They balance critique with appreciation, reminding designers and creatives of the power they hold in shaping cultural narratives.

Listening Recommendation:
This episode is particularly insightful for graphic designers, marketers, and creatives interested in the intersection of tradition, culture, and commerce. It provides a comprehensive look at how branding and commercial interests can both preserve and distort cultural practices.

Connect with The Angry Designer:
For more discussions on graphic design, branding, and creative business operations, visit angrydesigner.com and follow them on Instagram @angrydesignerpodcast.

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Note: This summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, excluding non-content segments such as advertisements, intros, and outros, to provide a focused overview of the discussions and insights shared by Massimo and Sean.

Transcript

[A]

Again, I was really torn on this when I started, you know, enraged one way and then happy another and then crying in another.

[B]

We talked about this and it's funny because I would come in here in your office and I'd be like, freaking out one day. You'd be like, jesus Christ, it's the worst thing. And then it was like. Then it was like, oh, my God, this is so awesome. I'm thinking, oh, I can't wait to this.

[A]

I know. You're listening to the Angry Designer, where we cut through the industry blood to help frustrated graphic designers survive and thrive. Let it snow.

[B]

Let it snow.

[A]

Wow. Eh. Oh, boy.

[B]

That's some you did. You didn't tune into the wrong podcast, right? This is not the Christmas podcast.

[A]

Christmas Jazz with Moss and Sean. I'm gonna have a little bit more of this. Just give me a little bit. Just a little bit.

[B]

Dude, this is hard to pour.

[A]

I can't pour these.

[B]

And I'm making. Look at this, I'm making a mess.

[A]

Whatever.

[B]

Jeez.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Weather. Okay, buddy.

[B]

Okay. Well, hey, how you doing?

[A]

Pretty good. I mean, hey. Merry Christmas, Sean.

[B]

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

[A]

It really does feel like Christmas. I mean, again, we're so close.

[B]

Y.

[A]

And. And it's. It's beautiful outside and you know, it's just such a nice time of year and it's also a really miserable time of year.

[B]

It's true. Yes, absolutely. Oh, it's also the time of year where guys like you and I get confused with Santa a lot. Oh, my God. Right?

[A]

I don't even. Oh, no. Oh, dude, I'm sorry. Just for everybody here, my little girl thinks Sean is sant. For the record, she came to visit me at the studio the other day. She literally walked right past me, went straight to Sean. He turns around, he looks at her, he smiles and is like, hello, Rosie. And she's like, hi, Santa. Oh my God, that's amazing. Oh, that. That's a compliment.

[B]

Yeah, totally.

[A]

I take it for some, or by some that could be a comma. Other people might think it's. But I'm glad you're pretty light hearted about this.

[B]

Yeah, I totally. I. What could I say? I mean, the jolly fat man.

[A]

I mean, could be worse things could be worse than.

[B]

Exactly true.

[A]

But damn, dude, everything is literally like. I mean, I took out the little guy yesterday, the final, and everything's picked over. And I mean, we still got a little bit of time over. Like, it's. Wow. It's nuts.

[B]

But there's supply chain issues for Things.

[A]

Yeah, I heard this. I've heard this as well.

[B]

Yeah. If you don't find something you probably.

[A]

Won'T get, you probably won't get it. But it's insane. Like, the mall. Everybody's trying.

[B]

Holy.

[A]

I like the Mole's impossible. Parking lots, like, to the edge.

[B]

Oh, God.

[A]

Insane, dude.

[B]

I haven't done any of my shopping.

[A]

Oh, no way. Good luck with that. You know what you're gonna get for Christmas? Divorce papers.

[B]

Oh, God.

[A]

Oh, she's gonna hold two presents for you, and based on what she unwraps that you give her, you're gonna see.

[B]

What you're gonna get.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Oh, geez. Could I live here?

[A]

Yeah, Right?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I'll find you some sweat here, buddy. But it is. It's. It's. It's a busy time. Yes, it's a busy time, and it's a crazy time. And, you know, people, you know, like, I. We. We went through this last year, right? Like, with Christmas, it's. It's a happy time. It's a miserable time. It's tough. Like, last year's podcast at this. We did a Christmas podcast last year, and it was literally about the brand of Christmas, right? And I don't think that, you know, like, we took it lightly, and. And we just talked, you know, based about opinions, right, that, like, literally, Christmas is bigger than just, you know, the religious holiday. And, I mean, again, so I'm. I'm a good Catholic boy, right? If that's. That's kind of a Knox moron. But. But, you know, the reality is, of course, you know, I grew up with, you know, the whole religious side, but, you know, at the same time, I didn't tie that yes to Christmas, per se. You know, like, really, I. It's almost that they've been separated, right? And. And last year's podcast was about, you know, the brand of Christmas and, you know, how it's like, you know, it's not just about religion, and people need to just, you know, relax and enjoy and find the magic in it, because it is now evolved into something bigger. So this year's podcast was, you know, this year's podcast, we reviewed this a little bit, and I would have loved to have gone into that, but we dug a little deeper, and with every brand, right, There's a lot more history, right? And then digging through this and digging through this. Dude, I was getting angry at some point. I mean, I went through this.

[B]

Really change you.

[A]

I went through so many different. Like, what. I hate this to. Oh, I love this to like, damn, you know, retailers to. Oh, thank God. Retailers. Like, I had so many mixed emotions. Right. So. And. And that's where I was just like, you know, and it really. It has taken me days to kind of try to piece and cobble this together Right. Into something that people might actually want to listen to that is kind of relevant.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

To what we do. Right. And the reality is, you know, the brand of Christmas, you know, this hasn't been an overnight thing.

[B]

No.

[A]

This has been in the works for thousands of years. Thousands. No, no, no. And I mean, thousands. Like. And. And it's. It's not just about one religion. That's the funny thing. Everybody's like, oh, Christmas is obviously about Christian.

[B]

Yeah. Catholic.

[A]

It is so not. And that's the crazy part.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And people keep overlooking this. And this is where it's like, like, how can it be a religious holiday if, you know, one day you're, you know, being thankful that, you know, little BBG is born, and the next day you're literally stepping over people for Boxing Day sales and drawing blood and smashing their heads in the ground. Not so religious, is it?

[B]

No.

[A]

So it's just like, never understood that. Yeah. And so this is where it's like, wow. Like, retailers have totally. I mean, they've been using Christmas for decades. Like, no, deck. No. Past decades. Hundreds of years. Centuries now.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Right. And. And it's gone past this. Like. Right. So this is where it was like, you know, the big argument, of course, is, you know, is Christmas, would Christmas be Christmas without the whole commercialization part of this? Right. And that's where it's like, oh, you know, how commercialization has hijacked Christmas. And this is why it's like, you know, I was like a love hate thing. I wasn't sure how happy of this I was and how pissed I was about this, because reading it, I'm just like, those.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, you took something and look what you've done to it.

[B]

Look what you've done to it.

[A]

But I was being naive in the sense that I was only, you know, thinking of it from, you know, how I was raised as, you know, Catholic and I would go to church on Christmas Eve because that's what we would do.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But, you know, the magic of Christmas, sadly, you know, maybe not necessarily tied to that as closely as we think.

[B]

Interesting.

[A]

Yeah. It's kind of scary. It seems as though the crucial shift basically happened between, you know, you know, the religion and then, you know, what we know now as the brand is. Is. Was when it was Became more of a domestic occasion. Right. So it wasn't just a religious. It was a little bit more domesticated. And there was like a confluence of all these different religions and traditions and events and. And commercialism. Like, retailers had such a huge part. So we think of Christmas as being like, you know, like, well, hundreds and hundreds of years old.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

The Christmas that we know, though, really is not even 100 years old, which is. And that's the hard. That's the hard part to believe. Right. You watch stuff on TV and this and that, and you're like, well, they've been doing this for centuries on top of centuries. And yeah, it's so not really. Right. So. And again, this goes back to that whole, you know, a brand and what it takes to develop a brand.

[B]

Right.

[A]

And Christmas has been in the works for like thousands of years, and people don't get this.

[B]

So you're. You're talking like in the 40s and things like that. Like 1940s, Christmas was still. No, I'm serious. Like, is it. Was it.

[A]

That's not even a century ago.

[B]

No, I know, right, but. But it was like that, though, right? Like, I just thought Christmas kind of turned into.

[A]

So it's, it's. I mean, no, it's like, you know, there's been so many aspects of Christmas over the centuries and centuries and centuries in so many stories and different stories and how they all came together. Right. And again. And I think that's been the confusing part for everybody is trying to piece it all together. So it's like what we have now, literally, is an amalgamation of so many different things, different religions. And again, the retailers had a huge part to do with this, which is where it was like initially, it's kind of like hating on all of this, to be honest. So it really, it really. Christmas as we know it, in all fairness, really kind of kicked in. Started mid-1800s. Mid 18, mid-1800s. But the funny thing is, okay, there's a whole bunch of things that brought the brand together around that time. Right. Basically, Christmas entered America and started hitting big cities like New York and Boston. Right. And they started trying to figure out ways on how to make this, you know, festive season. Yeah, a gift giving season. And it was the retailers. So, you know, you start thinking, so wait a minute.

[B]

Okay, so there was. So it was a festive season first.

[A]

But it was 100%.

[B]

Somebody decided, hey, you know what? We can make some money doing this.

[A]

So the funny thing, it was a festive season that involved a lot of drinking, a Lot of drunkenness.

[B]

Christmas I can get behind.

[A]

And people were really offended by this. And they didn't want to give gifts over something like this, believe it or not. I know, right? They were like, no, no, that's not a good. They were actually giving gifts on New Year's. Ev. It was tradition to give gifts on New Year's.

[B]

No shit.

[A]

Yeah. Which is kind of crazy, right? Yeah. Like, the Christians, their whole Christmas idea was very quiet and tame. Really. It was. But then there was this big. Actually, if I'm not mistaken, I think it was, like, in the 1700s in Massachusetts, Christmas was actually banned for a few years because these festivals got so out of hand that they would literally fine you for celebrating Christmas. So, like, you know, again, insane. But the Christmas we know, like I said, was more like the mid-1800s, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, like. So again, gifts were exchanged. They were not at Christmas, but a New Year's, right? And then what would happen is department stores would start dressing up their window displays and combining their products with these whimsical, festive scenes, right? And they would do these really cool things. Like, they would bring the outside inside. They would put up these little trees, big snow. It was just mind blowing, Sean.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

But the reality is, is. Is they caught on. They figured, hey, there's a way to capitalize on this. How do we do this? So they started doing that, and then they started dressing up their displays, and then one store would try to outdo the other store, right? There was. You know, and then, like, all these other ideas started happening, right? Like this. There's a giant store called Selfridges, which I think is still around in the uk. Right. And the founder invented the concept of frenzied shopping.

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

And this was way back then, right? Coining that whole Christmas countdown idea.

[B]

Are you talking, like, the 18? Yeah, yeah.

[A]

So many. Crazy. But I mean, it was all about, like, just driving. Like, it was the retailers that kept driving this shit over and over. Even Macy's. So you know the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Okay, well. Okay, so most. Okay, so that technically, is to start the holiday season, right? They do that because who's at the end of the Macy's parade?

[B]

Santa. Right.

[A]

And most Americans know Santa from that damn parade.

[B]

No, that's when he was.

[A]

That's how it all started.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Come on. So it's like, again, it's all like this whole retail cycle, right? And then, of course, then they did, and they tried to personify it and make characters, and literally, it's Grown and grown and grown to what it is today.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Right. So again, it's easy to hate on the commercialism because what we see now is a lot of the bullshit.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And then, you know, you turn on your TV and Hallmark has yet another horrible, stupid Christmas movie about, you know, you know, she has left the big city job, back to her home in small little town B to help her mom's baking shop when she runs into her high school love.

[B]

Oh yeah, they just happened to reconnect.

[A]

Oh, F broke off because of a bad fight and now they've reconnected over apple pie. Like, like, of course it's easy to hate on this when. When Hallmark is making like the 45 days of horrible Christmas movies. They're not even B rated movies. They're terrible.

[B]

Those movies are just awful. Oh my God.

[A]

But it's true. It's, you know, so, so it's easy to get a big hate on. And then when you start kind of going through all this again. I was really torn on this one. I started, you know, enraged one way and then happy another and then crying in another.

[B]

We talked about this. Yeah. It's funny because I would come in here in your office and I'd be like freaking out one day you'd be like, Jesus Christ is the worst thing. And then it was like, then it was like, oh my God, this is so awesome. I'm thinking, woo, I can't wait to this.

[A]

I know. I think, I think I've been menstruating to be honest, because I'm all like emotional. Holidays really got to me.

[B]

It really brings out that, that kind of you of us though. Right.

[A]

You know, so, so, you know, with all this said, I figured the best thing to do is let's put all this together because again, a brand takes a long. There's a lot of things that go. That are involved in making a brand. Right. So I think what we do is I decided to make this all about origin stories.

[B]

Origin story.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Those are the best stories.

[A]

Everybody loves origin stories.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

This is like the best superhero stories are the origin one. Yeah.

[B]

Right. So exactly.

[A]

I'm gonna like start. Actually what I did is I picked out some really high level stuff, you know, and actually I figured this is a good way to actually start piecing together how the whole brand came together and people can see for themselves, you know, when things were commercialized and when they worked.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

For example, Sean, the Christmas tree.

[B]

The Christmas tree. Now this was invented in 1950.

[A]

Oh, of course it was.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So The Christmas tree. Okay, so so many different, different parts about this. Right? So the Christmas tree might actually be one of the oldest parts of the whole tradition.

[B]

Are you serious?

[A]

Starts the use of evergreen trees, wreaths, garlands, blah, blah, blah, used to symbolize eternal life. Okay. And this was a custom. None of the Christians. This was Egyptians, Chinese, Hebrews. Okay. So and then, and, and then tree worship, okay. Was common amongst the pagan Europeans. So this goes back to like pre Roman era.

[B]

Okay, you got Egyptian in, I think. Right, that's. That's.

[A]

So that's the evergreen. Okay, that's the evergreen part. Now the modern tree as we know it, okay. Actually started coming out in western Germany. Okay, so what happened? And this is where things are just totally mind blowing. Okay, so the modern tree as we know it was a prop.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Okay. Used in a German medieval play about Adam and Eve. Ah, okay. So Adam and Eve had this prop in it because this is what was popular back then. They would do these giant props in these plays, Right. And the prop was the paradise tree. The Paradise Tree, you know.

[B]

Right, yeah.

[A]

Right. Because it was the Adam and Eve story. Okay, so then this was a really popular play back then. And Adam and Eve were a really big thing back then.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So then what happened is the Germans would actually set up this paradise tree in their homes to celebrate not Christmas and not, you know, the birth of baby Jesus, but to celebrate the religious feast, feast day of Adam and Eve. That's where the damn tree came from. And guess what day that was? December 24th. No.

[B]

No way.

[A]

So again, how ironic. Christmas Eve, now that we know, was actually the Adam and Eve, you know, their festive day that would be celebrated on December 24th.

[B]

Holy.

[A]

Right, so how up is that? So nothing. Nothing to do with what we know now. Okay. So then they would. They would hang little wafers on it, which then got replaced by cookies and then candles. And then it started decorating this. Right. And then at the same time where this tree was, you know, happening this Adam and Eve tree. Okay. The prop that, you know, to symbolize this festive day or whatever. Right. They also had. It was common to have this little Christmas pyramid in their home. And it was like this little wooden, you know, pyramid that they would have their little decorative figurines on it, if you can believe that. Right.

[B]

Is this like an Egyptian thing?

[A]

I don't know. It wasn't. That might have been a Christian thing. And it had. It was decorated with little evergreens and candles and it had a little star on it. I think the Christmas pyramid was more to celebrate that whole story about, you know, baby Jesus, the star and all that. Right.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

So what happened then is slowly, over time, those two stories started merging and people are like, ah, it. Let's just put them both just into one story. Right. So this took centuries and centuries. So. And this went on to become deep rooted German tradition, which was crazy. Okay, so now how was this introduced to England? Right. Because again, we're talking Germany. Yeah, right. How did this get over to England?

[B]

Right.

[A]

Well, German Prince Albert. Prince Albert married English Queen Victoria. Oh, right. So German Prince Albert. Yeah, English Queen Victoria. Right. And what happened is then all of a sudden came, you know, he brought this over to the Victorian side of the world. Right. Because he went over there and then all of a sudden the Victorian tree came about. The Victorian Christmas tree, where then they started decorating it with toys and gifts and candies and popcorn strings. So now it's starting to become what we know. Right, right. And then the German immigrants. Yeah, okay. Brought it to America in the 1800s. So you see how this is starting to come together.

[B]

Right.

[A]

So then here's the twist. Oh, it becomes commercialized. Okay. So now, of course, retailers, manufacturers start seeing a potential profit here. They're like, holy, this money to be made here. Right. So then they started making glass blown ornaments and they were selling this in Britain, in the US as, you know, as early as the 1870s. Okay. And then all of a sudden, you know, they were always producing little workshops and people, you know, were also creating decorations made from tinsel and lead and beads and processed paper and. And cotton. Anyway, needless to say, in 1890, okay, F.W. woolworth was selling over $25 million in ornaments. Come on, commercialism.

[B]

What time, what year did you.

[A]

1890, 1890s.

[B]

$25 million.

[A]

That was like a billion.

[B]

That's what had to be a billion. Serious in today's money. That would be.

[A]

So again, commercialism took that to another level. Right. So that is how the birth of the Christmas tree as we know it came about. So, yeah, it was pretty cool and it was pretty good at winning, but again, it was slow moving.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Commercialism took over and boom. And then was huge.

[B]

And they ramped it up to.

[A]

Boy, did they ramp it up. And they invented tinsel. Tinsel, Remember that? We carved that last year.

[B]

We did.

[A]

Stay away from the tinsel.

[B]

Tinsel. Damn it.

[A]

So it's like everybody would always say, you know, you'd always hear people being like, oh, well, isn't a Christmas tree a pagan ritual? And it's.

[B]

That's what I always assume.

[A]

Right. And again. And it was. I did, too.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it had a part in that way back with the. Every. Every green side. But again, the funny story.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which starts. Piecing it together was this Adam and Eve tree.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which was then celebrating their festive day on the 24th of February of December.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Up, right.

[B]

That's pretty kick. That's. That's pretty crazy, though. Yeah. But the pyramid, too.

[A]

I know, right? Who even thought so bizarre. Like.

[B]

And then you're just like, ah, this. Let's just combine these two.

[A]

Too much work to set them both up. Let's put them together.

[B]

But here we go. This is.

[A]

This is where exactly. Right.

[B]

So this is not created. You know, it's.

[A]

It's in the 50s. And that's where it's like, guys, like, relax on it. Right. Because there's a lot of effort to get to this Christmas tree.

[B]

Yeah, totally.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Holy.

[A]

Ready? So here's the. Here's the origin story of Santa.

[B]

Of Santa.

[A]

Santa. Santa. So everybody has. Everybody knows Santa.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Okay. And everybody has heard of St. Nicholas. Okay. But nobody really knows. You know, Isn't he the same person? Is he. Is he not? Kind of, depending on what version you're looking at.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

So sure enough, you know, St. Nicholas, you know, started as a Turkish monk who turned into a bishop. Okay. And he was a bishop named St. Nicholas in about 300 AD. So this guy literally, Right. Like, we're talking like, way before Jesus. Thousands of. No, after. After. Oh, after B.C. but I mean, he. He was a. He was a legit dude, right? And he was admired for his giving and his kindness, Right? And he started becoming like. Like legend, Right? Because he would, like, travel the countryside and giving away all this wealth that he inherited. Right? So this was this bishop, St. Nicholas. Okay? So back then. So again, you know, popularity spread, and he was. He started becoming, you know, this protector of children. Right? Because he was genuinely a really good person. He was giving it. And that's what the legend was, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And people held on to this for years and years and centuries and centuries, Right? They would celebrate his feast day, which was the anniversary of his death, right? But on December 6th. Okay, so key point, right? So people would celebrate, you know, his feast day, December 6th. And this would happen all over the world, okay? But it wasn't anything big until it hit America. Okay? So at the end of the 18th century in New York, a newspaper published. And this is 1773. Okay? So the late and near the end of the 18th century that they would find these Dutch people, you know, coming together and celebrating this feast day of this St. Nicholas. Okay? You know, his name was, you know, so St. Nicholas, and it evolved from his, you know, Dutch nickname, which was Sinterklaus.

[B]

Sinterklos.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

Which was a shortened form of St. Nicholas. Okay. So this is. And the paper actually wrote about it two years ago, and they thought this was peculiar. What is going on? These people are celebrating. Who is this person? Okay, so who is Sintra? Okay. So then all of a sudden, boom, commercialization hits. Okay. And then Sinterklaus, who was this great person, started, you know, like, changing up. So initially, people, you know, they didn't want to give up this guy's awesome, warm, gift giving nature. Right? This is a beautiful thing. That's the best part of someone going around doing something. It was so warm. The stores were good again, but there was some religious connotation to it, right? Which is why people were hesitant to adopt it. They were like, oh, it's St. Nicholas. You know, that's a Christian or a Catholic thing. I don't. You know, I'm Protestant or this or that or whatever it was. Right, yeah. So they were hesitant. So guess what? Guess who had a rebrand. Right?

[B]

The big guy.

[A]

So early 1800s. Okay. Coincidentally enough. Okay. A whole bunch of writers, you know, year after year after year, reimagine what Santa could be like and what he would be like to make Christmas a family celebration. And so they revived the remaking of St. Nicholas.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Okay. So they took the magical gift giving nature of St. Nicholas, stripped him of any sort of religious characteristics, and then dressed him, you know, in Santa in these big fur coats, you know, Germanic type of, you know, clothing, bringing gifts to everybody. Right? So that's where, you know, the St. Nicholas that we start associating with was. Right? The big Icelandic guy, you know, that. With a big long hair and the big beard, kind of looks like you, Sean. Not gonna lie. Kind of looks like you need to get you a fur jacket.

[B]

Now, was he called St. Nicholas at this point? Still?

[A]

He was. He was still Saint Nicholas or Sinterklaus. Okay, Right. But again, you know, all these people started writing all these things, right? They told crazy stories of this dude who's in a magical wagon who would soar from rooftop to rooftop delivering gifts. And this is where reindeer started coming into the. Because they would pull it, right? Yeah, they would pull this. So then finally, finally, finally, in 1822, okay, Clement Clark Moore brought These all together in a poem, which is what they called back then that we now know as the Night Before Christmas.

[B]

Oh, come on.

[A]

See, so that's how. And here's. And so here's the funny part. Okay. 1822. Yeah. So he wrote the Night Before Christmas. Okay. But it was inspired. He was inspired to write it on a snowy winter's day during a shopping trip in a sleigh. So it was in fact, Christmas shopping that inspired.

[B]

Inspired him to do this.

[A]

So it's just like capitalism wins again. So again, I'm happy in one second and I'm like, oh, fuck. So his inspiration for. For his version of St Nicholas was a local Dutch handyman that he knew as well as the historic St. Nicholas. So then this whole concept of gift giving was a really big part. You know, it just kind of went from there, right? The gift giving became part of the whole hot shopping experience. Department stores, of course. We're gonna jump all over this, right? Big time. All of a sudden, Santa was used everywhere from his description. Right. People started being like, hey, let's use him. Let's. Because this poem, like, just spread like wildfire.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. So, you know, his. His jolly old face started becoming everywhere. And like by the 1840s, like, newspapers are actually printing separate holiday sections which were just to be. You know, just to show that the newly inspired Santa Claus. Yeah, right. That everybody would start seeing. And then so much so that. And it became so popular. Okay. That in 1841.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

There was a store in Philadelphia that actually built a life size Santa statue on display. And again, we're not talking like a giant. It's just life size. So six feet tall, maybe at the most. Right.

[B]

Like a regular man.

[A]

And it drew thousands and thousands of kids to their store. So they were like, dude, we're onto something here. Okay. Like, they just came like crazy. So then, you know, and then. So again, it worked. Yeah, worked. Jeez. They keep going and going and going. But here's the final kicker. The Santa icon on that we now know and love. The big jolly guy in the red suit.

[B]

Yep. In the red with the big cheeks.

[A]

Yeah, yeah. The big red nose.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Yeah. Again, that 100 was accredited to Coca Cola. I knew it. Right? 100. In 1931, they commissioned Harold Sunbloom. Sunblom. I'm not even sure to pronounce it, but needless to say, he was an illustrated and he was an illustrator, and they. They basically commissioned him to create the image of Santa Claus for Coca Cola. Okay. So again. Yeah.

[B]

Holy. That's that's so cool. That's where I thought he started.

[A]

It's because is literally the number one brand that promotes Santa. And now you know why.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

In theory, they kind of own the copyright to the idea.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

Thank God they weren't dicks and started like, you know, like. And they could imagine. They could have.

[B]

Yeah, they could have done.

[A]

They didn't. Right. Yeah. He drew the inspiration from the poem. Twas the night before Christmas. That's clement. Right. So he literally. The poem was written and he drew the inspiration from that. So again, it was, you know, they. They 100 did it originally just to boost winter sales. But then, of course, with the advertising and everything had such a huge, huge reach that Santa Claus became a Christmas icon, period. So that is how. So again, that's not how he started.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But the Santa that we knew.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

100. Commercialism.

[B]

Commercialism, right.

[A]

Kind of a kick in the team.

[B]

But. But, dude, beautiful. Inspired by a guy on a shopping trip in a sleigh.

[A]

See, like, holy.

[B]

How do you.

[A]

It's like.

[B]

That is. That is crazy.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, it's pretty crazy, dude.

[B]

But Jesus. I mean.

[A]

But like. I mean, literally, the. That spun from that.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Like Christmas stockings. Okay, so Christmas. So, you know the stockings that you hang by your fireplace.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So this is how St. Nicholas kind of affected and had this ripple effect. Okay, so the origin story.

[B]

Origin story. Okay.

[A]

The origin story of Christmas stockings. Very important to add that. However, okay, so the way the story goes, okay, there was this dude, single father, had three daughters.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Right. But he was poor. Right. Because girls are expensive. I can say I own. I have three daughters, so I know they're expensive. Needless to say, he was poor. And because he was poor, he didn't have a dowry for these girls. And back then, this was a big deal because he couldn't sell off his kids. So literally, he couldn't get rid of these poor girls because he didn't have a dowry for him. Right. And it was wintertime, and then their stockings were wet. Okay. So they hung them by the fireplace to dry because they were wet. Right. Well, in the middle of the night. Okay.

[B]

Gold.

[A]

And. And all these, like, magical presents and everything fell down from the Christmas or fell down from the chimney and went into the stockings. And it was told that, you know, it happened to the one girl. The guy was like, wow, that's amazing. Happened to the second girl. Oh, my God, that was amazing. Then he decided he would wait up and see what happens with the third.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

By the time the third girl got her present in her stocking. He caught him. And it was St. Nick. Absolutely. And of course, St. Nick begged the guy, please don't tell anybody, blah, blah, blah, because of his humble nature. But sure enough, the dickhead did, and so be it, right? But needless to say, that's how the story of the crisp stocking came out. Right? So from that point forward, I mean, you hang this shit by the fireplace. Now it's like. So now I'm scared to. Because I have three daughters. So if I hang them by the fireplace, does that mean I have to get rid of them? I hope not.

[B]

Yeah, I don't think it works that way anymore.

[A]

Okay, good. Thank God. You're lucky you're not selling your daughters off.

[B]

Exactly. Oh, my God.

[A]

Oh, God. And then I think this one is the one that was like both. It was, like, bitter and sweet.

[B]

Oh, no.

[A]

Okay, so this one's a little bit of good and bad. So reindeer.

[B]

Reindeer.

[A]

Reindeer. So this is the origin story of reindeers. Okay? So as. As it goes, reindeers and Sinterklaus went back to Scandinavia. Right? So in. In Scandinavia, you know, reindeers were work animals. They would. They would use them, you know, when the weather was warm, to pull.

[B]

Yes. Or something like that. Right.

[A]

And. And, you know, funny story. Do you know they're actually caribou. They're the same thing.

[B]

Reindeer.

[A]

Apparently, they're the same.

[B]

Caribou are the same thing.

[A]

Apparently they're the same thing.

[B]

Jesus.

[A]

What's. What is just different name, I guess, anyway. Or maybe where it's Cod or, you know, the differences. But they're basically the same thing.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

So needless to say, though, okay, so they were. But they were. They were work animals Back. Back. Back home, back in Scandinavia. Okay. So it was common for people to use them to pull carts and sleighs and this and that.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But they were work animals.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So, you know, when Clement Clarke Moore. Imagine this story of Sinterklaus, right? He drew inspiration from a Dutch handyman. And with that, you know, he had these reindeers help him out. Right? And that's where he came up with Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen in his story.

[B]

No way.

[A]

Okay. So then it was commercialized.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. Then retailers got a hold of this, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So, of course, you know, Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But the most famous reindeer of all came from marketing efforts 100 of a department store giant.

[B]

Wow. Are you serious?

[A]

Rudolph. So although, you know, the first eight reindeers were pure and had, you know, good intentions and this and that, Rudolph actually came from the marketing department of his store. Okay. So back in 1939, a copywriter named Robert L. May worked for a giant department store called Montgomery Ward.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

So at that time, you know, department stores would hand out coloring books to the kids to encourage kids to come, hey, come to our store, you get a free coloring book. And, hey, you know, it's Christmas time. It's a coloring book. Right. And so they assigned me to come up with a poem for a book. Right. Because that's what he was.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So he created this story about a reindeer with a shiny red nose. And, you know, this is where the good and the bad comes. Right. And he drew a lot of the story from his personal childhood, you know, of being bullied, you know, And. And just, you know, how not fitting in. Right. So. Because again, it's a strong bullied story. Right. But of course, he. He overcame diversity or adversity, you know, And. And he prevailed.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You know, like, so he had a good. But again, he drew it on his own. And. And that poor guy went through a lot of. At that time, like, while he was writing this, I believe, you know, he had kids, his wife died. You know, I. Although it wasn't, you know, clinically proven, it seemed like he might have been depressive. So the poor dude was struggling with a lot of. When he wrote this, Right? So it's like he wrote this story and it was a fucking huge success.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. Like, the first year, they sold or they gave away two and a half million copies of this coloring book. Okay. So he was commissioned by this Montgomery to do this, Right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Within three years, I think it was like, it exceeded over, like, five, six million copies. Right. And here's the poor guy who did this, you know, and so this is where it's kind of sad, right, because it's just like, ah, dude, like, you know, what happened. But the good part about this, and this is where it's kind of nice to kind of, you know, follow this up, is that even though it went crazy and it was like 5 million plus copies of the story and it was really popular and everybody loved it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, Montgomery Ward actually gave the copyright to him in 1947. Fucking cool, right? So, you know, and again, that was like a Christmas miracle if there was one. Right. Because if this. If they were like, it's gold falling.

[B]

Into your Stockings, baby. Shit. You're kidding me.

[A]

So that was cool, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So then the story goes, and this is legit, right? His brother in law, okay, turned it into a song. The musical version that then Gene Autry sang, which then topped the charts in 1949. And by 1985, there's over 150 million records were sold. So again, Rudolph, huge success. Wow. Right. And if it wasn't for this little miracle about them actually handing it over to him, because they could have done it all themselves.

[B]

That's true.

[A]

They could have. He. He would have literally been like almost a nobody, you know, he would have been the guy who wrote it and that's it. But, you know, it was huge success because of this.

[B]

Right? That's awesome.

[A]

So it was, you know, that was kind of good. And it was good because again, it was a sad story that he had to go through. Right. But again, the intention was. Right, the intention was good. And you know, and he even, I mean, he went public saying that, you know, but, you know, about. It helped, you know, it. It helped pay off his debts, it helped put his kids through school and it was a story that actually meant something. Yes, right. But the sad.

[B]

It's just his triumph over bullying and stuff like that. Absolutely brilliant story.

[A]

Pretty cool though, right?

[B]

That's crazy.

[A]

So you know what, so the reality is that story 100 commercial, it was because of. Commercialized, Right. So again, you know, we know Rudolph, we love Rudolph. Right. We would never know Rudolph if somebody wasn't trying to commercialize this. Right. So this is where it was like, you know, is Christmas too commercial?

[B]

Like, man, I see why you struggle.

[A]

Right. And I was struggling with it, Right. Because it's like, you know, I don't want to sound like a capitalist pig.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

But at the same time, wasn't commercialized, we wouldn't. It wouldn't be what it is now.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

It wouldn't be as popular as it is now. Right. And I mean, in all fairness, you know, I get. Despite the whole. And long lineups and, and, you know, driving everywhere and, you know, you're always stressing over the perfect gift. But you have to admit that, you know, like all this commercial shit, it really does. The commercialism of Christmas really does kind of like reinforces the goodwill part.

[B]

Yes, yes, yes.

[A]

Right.

[B]

But this, you know, to backtrack, like, I mean, Coke could have been a dick and. And kept the rights to Santa and licensed that out the shit and. And made billions of dollars of it. Robert May could have just wallowed in Obscurity. Do you know what I mean? Like, these are wonderful stories of giving inside of capitalism.

[A]

Right, Exactly. So, I mean, it is possible, right? Yeah. Of course somebody's got to make money from this.

[B]

I'm sure everybody had.

[A]

But if there wasn't. If there wasn't an effort to do this right, then none of this would even exist.

[B]

This is true.

[A]

So it's kind of like that whole, you know, the good good with the bad.

[B]

Yeah, right, exactly.

[A]

It's. And this is, this is the hard thing. Like, it's. It's, you know, largely as we know it. You know, the twinkling lights, the flying reindeer, dancing snowmen. This is a creation of 19th century, you know, American capitalism. Right. It's nothing to do with religion. Right. Like, it really, it. And that's the funny thing that people need to remember, right? Like, don't get your. Your knickers all tied up or whatever that saying is. The reality is whether or not, you know, you have any sort of religious tie to Christmas, it doesn't mean that you can't celebrate Christmas, because the bigger meaning for Christmas is, you know, the warmth, the good feeling, the giving. Right. Like, you know, Santa was at 1890, 1880, Salvation army needed a way to raise money, you know, to get people to give money to them so they can pay for people's feasts at Christmas. And it was literally since then when they started dressing up like Santa, really? Because it was that image, that visual that kind of channeled everybody's, you know, like good feelings.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

Rightful spirit. And they're still doing it today. Yeah, right. They still dress up the sand and collect. Okay. Some of them shouldn't, but, you know, but the reality is it's. It was that. That made it what it is. Right. So there was. There's so much good tied around this. That's even that whole Ebenezer Scrooge story. Right. In all fairness, that was. That. That was more like a poke to the rich people saying, look, you know, you guys, there's more to it than just money and wealth.

[B]

You're a regular person just as well, just as much as Tiny Tim is or.

[A]

Absolutely. Right. And you know, what's funny is it's like the outcome of that story actually had people becoming more gift giving. So whether it was out of guilt, whether it was shaming, rich shaming, which I think there was quite a bit on that, you know, shaming the rich again, it brought out some sort of humanity in them. And unfortunately, maybe it was only one time a year, but it was Enough to probably help a lot of people through when it did. Right.

[B]

And if you're gonna give. This is the best time of year.

[A]

Sadly, I mean, you should always feel that way as a human being.

[B]

You're right. Right.

[A]

You know, no, I mean, that, that's a whole different thing altogether. It's. The whole thing is, Is that the brand of Christmas as we know it really, you know, has developed like Albright. It, it's, it's a ton of experiences happening together.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And literally that's what this was all about. It was just a ton of experiences after one after the other that has built this beautiful story.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That sadly.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, commercialism took over and boom. You know. But, you know, love it or hate it in the end.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I'm pretty happy with.

[B]

There's, there's some really, really good material in there like that, that, like I said, that Robert May story was just, that's worth it just for that.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Like, I mean.

[A]

Right.

[B]

And it's, and it pains me to hear that people, you know, turn that story of, of, of the Night Before Christmas. No, no. The, the Rudolph, like.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

As a bullying kind of.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And it's bad, but, but it's.

[A]

I know.

[B]

It's a good thing.

[A]

You're right. It is a triumphs over that because again, it was his personal experience. And how exactly. Because you're right. People were protesting that. And they still are. They probably still look trying to get.

[B]

Her not knowing the full story.

[A]

Exactly. The dude was troubled. He went from his past and he said himself it was about, you know, overcoming this adversity, triumphing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

He, he was bullied.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And again, so it was a good story that he was able to share and it, you know for a fact that it makes every. Everybody loves that Rudolph saved the day. He's kind of like a big you to the rest of you guys. Right.

[B]

It's, you know, to use your origin story, it's Tony Stark or it's Peter Parker. You know what I mean?

[A]

The real superhero.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's December 24th and a Blizzard has whited out the entire world. And only one, only one person they could turn to.

[B]

Yes. That's it. This needs to be a Marvel movie. Oh, dude. Oh, my God.

[A]

I mean. Yeah. I mean, love it or hate it, I'm a fan. I'm a fan.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Christmas.

[B]

I, I, I got stuck sometimes, you know, like you said, at the back parking lot of them.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And it's just like, it makes you mad. But this was awesome. Like, this was A great, cool. This is, this is the reason why. And I think I would say this is the way it should have been.

[A]

The way it should.

[B]

The way it should be. I, I just hope we don't lose sight of that storyline.

[A]

Agreed.

[B]

You know what I mean? Like, this is, this is a very rich brand.

[A]

It is a very rich brand, Sean. It's a very long, triumphant, rich brand that has taken a lot of work.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And there's a lot of investment in it.

[B]

Yeah. But Apple, eat your heart out.

[A]

Yeah. Right. I was. Got nothing on Christmas.

[B]

All right, everybody, that was great.

[A]

Thanks, man. So I hope, I hope everybody got something out of this anyway, a little bit of whatever it was, a little insight, a little bit of warmth, a little bit of hatred, you know, love or hate, commercialism, you know, and kind of made this what it is.

[B]

So a lot of understanding.

[A]

A lot of understanding.

[B]

Yes, A lot of understand.

[A]

A lot of understanding.

[B]

I think that's. That goes a long way with this.

[A]

Right? Yeah, you're right.

[B]

Eh, this is true. This is so good.

[A]

It's so damn cool.

[B]

Oh, man.

[A]

Cool, man. Well, everybody, we don't want to take up too much of your time, so go get those last minute presents, get that stuff wrapped up, stay up overly late, eat way too much and drink way too much this holiday season.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And by all means, high five sand if you've got a chance to. Right. I know. We will for sure. Right? Absolutely. He's a great guy. Wait, high five, Santa. There you go. I have the real Santa right here.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

Oh, all right. I hope you loved what you heard today. Please, by all means, drop us a line, leave us a review, let us know what you think about this, share it with some people. And I hope you just got a little bit of morsel of something, you know, Follow us on your favorite podcast show, visit our [e-mail] and please, you know, hit us up on our Instagram, which is the Angry Designer podcast. I think that's it, dude.

[B]

I think that's great.

[A]

You know what? Yeah. I think I want to wish everybody a very, very Merry Christmas.

[B]

Yes. Merry Christmas to everybody. Indeed.

[A]

This has been, this has been a incredible year. Honestly, I think I, I have enjoyed all these podcasts this year. Yeah, right. Like, we've done like one every week.

[B]

I know. We've done pretty good.

[A]

Wow. There's a lot of commitment going on here.

[B]

Yeah, that's right. Soon we'll be talking about the weather.

[A]

Hopefully we'll find better topics.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

There's always good stuff.

[A]

Maybe it's about the UX in the weather app that we'll talk about. Okay, that's better.

[B]

There we go. Nice spin.

[A]

All right, everybody. My name is Massimo.

[B]

And my name's Sean.

[A]

Have a very merry Christmas. And stay creative and stay angry. Merry Christmas. Peace. Go.