Editing Father Christmas (section)

=== 19th Century ===
Throughout the 19th century, Father Christmas featured prominently in mummers' plays, with his appearance varying by local tradition. In some portrayals, he was a hunchback; in others, such as those recorded by William Sandys, he appeared as a grotesque old man with a mask, wig, and a club, reflecting regional influences. For example, in Worcestershire in 1856, Father Christmas was equated with the northern character Beelzebub. Plays often emphasized symbolic elements, such as holly boughs and wassail bowls, with Father Christmas evolving over time. By the late 19th century, these folk plays had largely disappeared, taking much of their influence on Father Christmas with them.

Father Christmas's association with gift-giving began in the Victorian era as Christmas transitioned into a family-oriented celebration centered on children. Initially connected with adult festivities, his role expanded to include leaving presents, influenced by the rise of the American Santa Claus. The Cornish Quaker diarist Barclay Fox documented a family gathering in 1842 featuring an effigy of Father Christmas adorned with presents. By 1895, the first evidence of children writing letters to Father Christmas had appeared in Britain.

The American Santa Claus, inspired by Dutch St. Nicholas traditions, began influencing English customs in the 19th century. Santa Claus was popularized through works such as the 1821 poem ''Old Santeclaus with Much Delight'' and Clement Clarke Moore’s 1823 ''A Visit from St. Nicholas''. By the mid-century, the character was well-established in the United States, eventually crossing the Atlantic. Early mentions of Santa Claus in Britain appeared in the 1850s, with children hanging stockings or placing shoes by the fireplace for gifts.

The merging of Father Christmas with Santa Claus occurred gradually. Father Christmas adopted Santa’s attributes, such as delivering gifts on Christmas Eve. By the late 19th century, he was often depicted wearing a hooded robe, though he retained traditional elements like holly. Public celebrations, Christmas cards, and retail displays helped assimilate the characters. The first Christmas grotto appeared in a London store in 1888, solidifying the figure's association with gift-giving.

By the 1880s, the American myth of Santa Claus as a nocturnal visitor became well-established in England, blending with Father Christmas. Stories and poems often used the names interchangeably, with Santa Claus depicted as descending the chimney to leave gifts. Commercial items like Tom Smith & Co.'s Santa Claus Surprise Stockings, introduced in 1895, underscored the character's widespread popularity.

Representations of Father Christmas and Santa Claus during this time often merged, though some depictions retained older associations with charity and feasting. The modern figure embodies both traditions, reflecting the fusion of American and British cultural influences.