Santa Claus is Coming To Town — Or, At Least, to Commonplace Fun Facts

It is the Christmas season — a time for joy, cheer, and the annual debate over whether fruitcake qualifies as food. It’s also the time to give the Commonplace Fun Facts staff writers a wee bit of a break from having to come up with new material.

As we deck the halls and finish our last-minute gift shopping, let’s take a sleigh ride through some of the most intriguing, eyebrow-raising, and downright peculiar Santa Claus-themed tales from our archives. Guarantee your place on the Nice List as you learn about Jolly Ol’ St. Nicholas

1. The Time Santa Claus Punched a Bishop in the Mouth

Yes, you read that correctly. Our beloved St. Nick, the jolly old man in red, once channeled his inner Mike Tyson. At the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, St. Nicholas was so incensed by the heretical teachings of Arius that he delivered a festive knuckle sandwich right to Arius’s face. This act of righteous fury earned him a temporary ecclesiastical timeout.

2. Iceland’s Terrifying Christmas Traditions

Move over, Grinch; Iceland has the Yule Lads—a merry band of trolls with names like Door-Slammer and Sausage-Swiper. And let’s not forget their mother, Grýla, who has a penchant for cooking naughty children into stew. Suddenly, coal in your stocking doesn’t seem so bad.

3. NORAD Tracks Santa: The Surprising Connection with the Doomsday Phone

Ever wonder how NORAD became Santa’s official tracker? It all started with a misprinted phone number in a 1955 Sears ad, which led children to call the Continental Air Defense Command’s top-secret line. Instead of launching nukes, they launched a tradition. Talk about a Christmas miracle.

4. Red Suit, White Beard, and the Infinity Gauntlet?

What if Santa Claus had the Infinity Gauntlet? Would he snap his fingers and double the presents or eliminate the naughty list entirely? As it turns out, we don’t have to wonder. Thanks to the Marvel Universe, we know what happens when our favorite gift-giver obtains Thanos-level power.

5. Making a List of Who is Naughty, Nice, and Who Will Be Eaten

In some cultures, Santa’s sidekicks are less about gift-giving and more about, well, child-eating. Meet Père Fouettard, the French companion of St. Nicholas, who delights in whipping naughty children and, in some tales, enjoys them as a holiday roast. Bon appétit?

6. The Jolly Old Elf With a Jolly Ol’ Address

Ever wanted to send Santa a letter? Learn how the postal services of different countries route all of that correspondence to Santa’s mailbox. Just don’t expect a return gift if you’re on the naughty list.

7. Thank the Creator of the Headless Horseman for Your Favorite American Christmas Traditions

Washington Irving, the man behind The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, also played a pivotal role in shaping American Christmas traditions. His writings helped popularize the celebration of Christmas in the United States, blending jolly old St. Nicholas with local customs.

8. Finland’s Reflecting Reindeer Plan … And How It Turned Out

In an attempt to reduce car accidents involving reindeer, Finland tried outfitting these animals with reflective antlers. The result? A disco party in the middle of the road that confused drivers even more. Safety first, but maybe not like this.

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As you sip your cocoa and avoid the mistletoe this holiday season, remember that the stories behind our festive traditions are as rich and varied as Aunt Hildegard’s fruitcake—though infinitely more digestible. Merry Christmas, and may your days be merry and bright, and your historical anecdotes delightfully weird.

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