Mrs. Claus

Mrs. Claus, also referred to as Mrs. Santa Claus, Mother Christmas, or Mrs. Christmas in British English, is the legendary spouse of Santa Claus—the beloved gift-bringer in Western Christmas traditions.

Names	Mrs. Claus, Mrs. Santa Claus, Mother Christmas, Mrs. Christmas
Gender	Female
Race	Human
Occupation	Baker, Toymaker, Reindeer Carer
Origin	"A Christmas Legend" (1849)
Alignment	Good
Age	Unknown
Created By	James Rees
Height	Varies
Weight	Varies

Appearance

Mrs. Claus is often depicted as a warm, matronly figure, embodying the spirit of comfort and care associated with the holiday season. Over the years, her appearance has varied across literary works, illustrations, and media portrayals:

• Clothing: Commonly shown wearing a red dress or cloak, trimmed with white fur, symbolizing her connection to Santa Claus. Some depictions include aprons or shawls, emphasizing her nurturing role. Earlier accounts, such as in Gardner's "A Hickory Back-Log," describe elaborate and practical winter attire suited for cold climates.
• Hairstyle: Typically portrayed with white or gray hair, often styled in a bun or curls, highlighting her grandmotherly demeanor.
• Accessories: She may wear glasses, hinting at her scholarly or detail-oriented nature, especially when depicted managing Santa’s records. Other accessories include lace caps, hoods, or mittens, reflecting her readiness for the North Pole's chilly conditions.

Personality

Mrs. Claus is celebrated as a figure of kindness, patience, and support, complementing Santa’s jovial and adventurous persona. Her character traits often include:

• Nurturing: As a motherly figure, she cares for elves, oversees holiday preparations, and supports Santa in his mission.
• Organized: Depictions of Mrs. Claus frequently emphasize her role in managing Santa's operations, such as keeping track of the naughty-or-nice list or maintaining the workshop’s efficiency.
• Resourceful: In many stories, Mrs. Claus is portrayed as practical and industrious, ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
• Independent: Modern portrayals increasingly highlight her individuality and capability as a standalone character, often engaging in community outreach, storytelling, or even taking on Santa's duties when necessary.
• Cheerful: She embodies the festive spirit of Christmas, spreading joy and goodwill in her interactions with others.

Mrs. Claus serves as a symbol of quiet strength and generosity, reinforcing the values of love and unity central to the holiday season.

History

Origins

The concept of Santa Claus having a wife first appears in James Rees's short story, "A Christmas Legend" (1849). Rees, a Christian missionary from Philadelphia, tells the tale of an elderly couple traveling on Christmas Eve. Seeking refuge in a home, they are revealed the next morning to be the hosts' long-lost elder daughter and her husband, disguised as "old Santa Claus and his wife," who leave an abundance of gifts for the children.

Mrs. Santa Claus is explicitly named in the Yale Literary Magazine in 1851. An anonymous student author, identified only as "A. B.," describes Santa Claus at a Christmas party:

"[I]n bounded that jolly, fat and funny old elf, Santa Claus. His array was indescribably fantastic. He seemed to have done his best, and we should think, had Mrs. Santa Claus to help him."

In 1854, The State Lunatic Asylum in Utica, New York hosted a Christmas musicale that featured Mrs. Santa Claus dancing with a baby in her arms to a holiday song.

Subsequent references include an 1862 essay in Harper's Magazine and Robert St. Clar’s 1864 comic novel, "The Metropolites." In the latter, Mrs. Santa Claus appears in a woman’s dream, adorned in "Hessian high boots, a dozen short red petticoats, an old, large straw bonnet," and presents the woman with an array of finery.

In "Lill's Travels in Santa Claus Land" (1878) by Ellis Towne, Sophie May, and Ella Farman, a possible depiction of Mrs. Santa Claus appears. The children's book describes a visit to Santa's office, where a lady—potentially Mrs. Claus—manages the naughty-or-nice ledger:

"There was a lady sitting by a golden desk, writing in a large book, and Santa Claus was looking through a great telescope, and every once in a while he stopped and put his ear to a large speaking-tube.

'Put down a good mark for Sarah Buttermilk. I see she is trying to conquer her quick temper.'

'Two bad ones for Isaac Clappertongue; he'll drive his mother to the insane asylum yet.'"

Eugene C. Gardner further enriches the lore in his 1887 Good Housekeeping article, "A Hickory Back-Log," where Mrs. Claus appears in a dream with a detailed and vivid description of her attire:

"She was dressed for traveling and for cold weather. Her hood was large and round and red but not smooth—it was corrugated; that is to say, it consisted of a series of rolls nearly as large as my arm, passing over her head sidewise, growing smaller toward the back until they terminated in a big button embellished with a knot of green ribbon. Its general appearance was not unlike that of the familiar, pictorial beehive except that the rolls were not arranged spirally. The broad, white ruffle of her lace cap projected several inches beyond the front of the hood and waved back and forth like the single leaves of a great white poppy, as she nodded emphatically in her discourse. Her outer garment was a bright-colored plaid worsted cloak reaching to within about six inches of the floor. Its size was most voluminous, but its fashion was extremely simple. It had a wide yoke across the shoulders, into which the broad plain breadths were gathered; and it was fastened at the throat by a huge ornamented brass hook and eye, from which hung a short chain of round twisted links. Her right arm protruded through a vertical slit at the side of the cloak, holding a sheet of paper covered with figures. The left arm, carrying a large basket or bag, was hidden by the ample folds of the garment. Her countenance was keen and nervous, but benignant."

In this narrative, Mrs. Claus advises Gardner on designing the ideal modern kitchen, which he includes in his article.

Katharine Lee Bates significantly popularized Mrs. Claus in the 19th century with her poem, "Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride" (1889), where "Goody" is an abbreviation for "Goodwife," meaning "Mrs."

Illustration from Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh-Ride, 1889

21st Century

In recent years, the role of Mrs. Claus has gained prominence as an independent character separate from Santa Claus. By 2018, there was a growing demand for standalone holiday appearances featuring Mrs. Claus.

A notable milestone occurred in 2023, when Sheryl Lee Ralph became the first celebrity and the first Black woman to portray Mrs. Claus during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, marking a significant moment in the character's representation.