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Mrs. Santa Claus

Mrs. Santa Claus is also known as Mother Christmas and she is the fictitious wife of Santa Claus or Father Christmas.

Where Santa Claus has a rich historical background as well as religious and cultural roots, Mrs. Santa Claus had none of those as she is a moderately recent invention.

In fact, Mrs. Santa Claus was introduced by Katherine Lee Bates in 1889 through a poem she wrote called, "Goody Santa Clause on a Sleigh Ride." "Goody" is the abbreviated form of goodwife or housewife which were popular terms in those days. Close to one hundred years later, in 1956, Mrs. Santa Claus's role as Santa's wife was reaffirmed by George Melachrino when he wrote a song called "Mrs. Santa Claus."

Mrs. Santa Claus, whose maiden name no one seems to know although some think that it may be Mary Christmas (an apparent witticism referring to the holiday greeting), is depicted as a devoted housewife who helps her famous husband with his toy production, takes care of the household and the working elves and loves to bake.

According to most depictions Mrs. Santa Claus is the female counterpart of Mr. Santa Clause. She is overweight like Santa. She has white hair like Santa but styled in a tight bun at the back of her head. She wears a red dress of the same shade as Santa's outfit and a white apron to match the white of Santa's furry cuffs. As Santa Claus is at time seen wearing wire rimmed glasses, so is Mrs. Santa Claus.

As much as they look and dress alike, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus are nothing alike when it comes to personality and temperament. Santa Claus is exuberant and excitable while Mrs. Santa Claus is the picture of tranquility and composure. Santa Claus is energetic and on the verge of hyperactivity while Mrs. Santa Claus is calm and serene.

Santa Claus is impulsive and hurried while Mrs. Claus is infinitely patient. Santa Claus gives, gives and gives while Mrs. Santa Claus saves, saves and saves. Santa Claus is jolly while Mrs. Claus tends to be pensive. Santa Claus's quest and mission is to take care of the masses (millions of children all around the world) while Mrs. Claus's quest and mission is to take care of only one child-loving man, her husband Mr. Santa Claus.

Mrs. Santa Claus is the typical housebound middle aged housewife to a busy, hard working man. She keeps his house clean, she cooks and bakes for him and his helpers, she has a good disposition, she is supportive of his deeds and she takes on part-time jobs every once in a while. What more can a man ask for?

Mrs. Santa Claus has made many appearances in cartoons, comics, storybooks as well as televisions shows and feature films. Most of her roles are as a supporting actress to her husband's major roles. The following is a list of the feature films Mrs. Santa Claus appeared in:

• In the 1985 film "Santa Claus: The Movie" Mrs. Claus had an essential role.
• In the 1993 movie "The Nightmare Before Christmas" Mrs. Claus has a small but important role.
• In the 1996 musical "Mrs. Santa Claus" Mrs. Claus has a major role as a wife who is trying to get her workaholic husband's attention.
• In the 2002 movie "The Santa Clause 2" Mrs. Claus plays a significant role.
• In the 2007 film "Fred Claus" Mrs. Claus has a major role.

They say that there is a great woman behind every good man and Mrs. Santa Claus exemplifies it perfectly.

Additional Christmas and Santa Claus readings:

• Christmas Santa Claus
• Santa Claus Naughty or Nice List
• Santa down the chimney
• Santas little elves
• Santas sleigh
• Christmas reindeers
• Rudolph the red nosed reindeer