A holiday curiosity show covering:

Santa’s historical roots: St. Nicholas → Sinterklaas → American Santa (helped by literature and illustrators like Thomas Nast).

Clarifying: Coca-Cola didn’t invent Santa, but helped popularize the modern image in the 1930s.

Fun facts: NORAD Santa tracking began from a misprinted hotline number; Canada Post’s Santa postal code joke.

Krampus: pagan alpine folklore later paired with St. Nicholas as a “punisher” figure.

Coal tradition: linked to the fireplace/hearth and later moral symbolism.

Wassailing: wasn’t always innocent—sometimes rowdy, like early “trick-or-treat” with demands.

Bonus: quick Rose Bowl Parade facts + Mary shares she marched in it as a student.