by A cookie-baking girl in Munich asks why Santa wears red, what the Black Forest is, and where Christmas trees began
A Letter to Santa from Munich, Germany
Dear Santa,
Hallo Santa! My name is Lena and I am 7 years old. I live in Munich, in Germany, where the Christmas markets smell like cinnamon and roasted nuts. I love baking cookies and ice skating. My question is: why is Santa Claus red? My geography question is: what is the Black Forest? And my social studies question is: where did the tradition of the Christmas tree come from? Danke, Santa!
Love, Lena (age 7)
Santa’s Reply
Ho ho ho, hallo Lena! Your Christmas markets are some of my favorite places in the whole world, so save me a warm cookie. You asked why I wear red, and it is a lovely story. Long ago, Saint Nicholas, who I grew from, was a bishop, and bishops often wore red robes. Over the years, artists drew me in cheerful red, and one famous illustrator named Thomas Nast made the red suit popular. Some people think a soda company invented my red coat, but artists were drawing me in red long before that. Red is simply warm, jolly, and easy to spot on a snowy night.
Your geography question: the Black Forest
The Black Forest is a large, beautiful, hilly forest in the southwest of your own Germany. It got its name because the trees grow so thick and close together that the woods look dark, even in daytime. It is full of streams, villages, and old fairy-tale charm. Read more at National Geographic Kids.
Your social studies question: the Christmas tree
Here is something to make you proud, Lena: the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree began in Germany hundreds of years ago. Families would bring evergreen trees indoors and decorate them with candles and treats. The custom was so loved that it spread across the world. So every glowing Christmas tree owes a little thank-you to your country. Explore more at Britannica Kids.
Bake an extra batch for me, Lena. Yours warmly from the North Pole, Santa Claus.
