Although most people believe that Father Christmas (or Santa Claus) wearing red is a product of Coca Cola’s advertising, in reality he descends from Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra (4th century, Anatolia) who’s been represented wearing a red miter and cloak since the Middle Ages.

Saint Nicholas, as a children protector, distributes presents on his holiday, December 6, which still is the giving presents day in some European countries.

Poster by John D. Kelley for St. Nicholas Magazine (1895).