Editing Father Christmas (section)

=== 20th Century ===
Any lingering distinctions between Father Christmas and Santa Claus largely disappeared in the early 20th century. By 1915, it was reported, “The majority of children today…do not know of any difference between our old Father Christmas and the comparatively new Santa Claus, as, by both wearing the same garb, they have effected a happy compromise.”

It took years for authors and illustrators to standardize Father Christmas’s costume as red, although red was always the most common color. Variations in brown, green, blue, or white gowns occasionally appeared. The widespread acceptance of the red outfit followed Coca-Cola’s 1931 advertising campaign, which popularized the image.

For much of the 20th century, Father Christmas was depicted as described in the ''Oxford English Dictionary'': "the personification of Christmas as a benevolent old man with a flowing white beard, wearing a red-sleeved gown and hood trimmed with white fur, and carrying a sack of Christmas presents." This description is exemplified in a 1919 ''Punch'' cartoon, which shows a humorous exchange:

Uncle James (disguised as Father Christmas): "Well, my little man, and do you know who I am?"

The Little Man: "No, as a matter of fact, I don't. But Father's downstairs; perhaps he may be able to tell you."

In 1951, ''The Times'' editorialized that while most adults believed Father Christmas to be a quintessentially English figure—“a good insular John Bull old gentleman”—many children, captivated by the romanticized image of sledges and reindeer, wrote letters to “Father Christmas” in Norway or referred to him as Santa Claus, giving him a foreign flair.

By 1985, ''The Illustrated London News'' discussed differences between English and American portrayals. The U.S. depiction, based on Thomas Nast’s illustrations, was seen as the “authorized” version of Santa Claus, while Britain maintained its preference for Father Christmas, depicted in a long robe, full beard, and boots resembling Wellingtons.

Father Christmas featured prominently in 20th-century literature, such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s ''Father Christmas Letters'' (written between 1920 and 1942, published in 1976), C.S. Lewis’s ''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'' (1950), and Raymond Briggs’s ''Father Christmas'' (1973) and its sequel, ''Father Christmas Goes on Holiday'' (1975). He also appeared in popular songs, including Greg Lake’s “I Believe in Father Christmas” (1974) and The Kinks’ “Father Christmas” (1977). Briggs’s books were adapted into a 1991 animated short film, ''Father Christmas'', with Mel Smith voicing the titular character.