Origin of Mrs. Claus

While Harper’s New Monthly Magazine made mention of Santa going on a date in its March 1881 issue, it was Katherine Lee Bates who felt that Santa must have a wife who helps him. The writer of “America the Beautiful,” Katherine published a poem called “Goody Santa Claus, A Sleigh Ride.” A picture of Mrs. Claus appeared by her poem. Through the years the poem circulated and the idea of Mrs. Claus as Santa’s wife began to be popular.

Mrs. Claus in Song

Mrs. Claus’ popularity picked up in 1956 when George Melachrino wrote a song called “Mrs. Santa Claus.” It tells the story of what Mrs. Claus does at the North Pole. The baking and preparation she does for Santa and his elves gave her more substance and helped make her a star in her own right.

Mrs. Claus: TV and Movie Star

Television and movies added dimension to Mrs. Santa Claus. She appeared in several Rankin/Bass, Christmas specials. In Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Mrs. Claus (as Jessica the school teacher) and Kris Kringle meet and together help to deliver toys. While doing so, they fall in love and get married. In The Year Without a Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus works to show Santa that there is a Christmas Spirit left in the world. In the1996 television show Mrs. Santa Claus, Angela Lansbury leaves Santa and works for women and children’s rights. Mrs. Claus’ movie credits include The Santa Claus and The Santa Claus 2.

Mrs. Claus Today

Today, Mrs. Claus is a popular figure at Christmas who now appears in malls across the world with her husband. She not only makes cookies; she is the person who helps organize the lists and toys for Santa, as well as helping her husband prepare for his big Christmas sleigh ride. She is an icon in her own right.