Parents see red over school's green-suited santa

[Scottish Mag 3]

Father Christmas has been given a makeover - after one school decided his red suit was a symbol of "modern commercialism".

 

The outfit would remind pupils of Coca-Cola adverts, according to the parents' committee at the Steiner School in Brighton.

 

So instead youngsters will be visited by a green-clad St Nicholas.

 

And rather than going to Santa's grotto, they will crawl inside a gnome's home.

 

The school has also decided to an Eastern European version of the festive season, which it believes will be more "inclusive" - even though most pupils are British.

 

School spokesman Sarah James said: "The red-suited Santa was created as a marketing tool by Coca-Cola, it is a symbol of commercialism."

 

But the move has upset some parents, who would prefer the red-suited Santa.

 

Cheryl Williams, 24, said: "What are they going to ban next - snow? Once again the PC brigade have clamped down on everyone's fun."

 

And amateur historian David Baker said: "There are images of a red-suited Santa going back to before the creation of Coca-Cola.

 

"Thomas Nast drew images of Merry Old Santa Claus that shows Santa in his red suit.

 

"If my research is correct, Coca-Cola wasn't even invented until 1886."

 

At the school's Christmas bazaar, pupils will be told a "moral" tale rather than the traditional Christmas story, and instead of opening presents, they will be given fake "rocks" to break open to reveal crystals.

 

Mrs James said: "The school isn't trying to be a spoilsport or anything like that.

 

"The children are bound to come across Santa Claus plenty of times in the run-up to Christmas and we're happy for them to.

 

"We just want to give them a different experience."

[Guest alex]

Aye, the Coca-Cola thing is a myth innit? Sure there's a snopes entry about it.

[manc-mag 1]

Probably misguided opting for the 'green of Islam' as some will not fail to interpret it. Green is a xmas colour though so understandable.

 

The school should probably just have asked the kids what they wanted and given them that tbf. Saved any potential argument.

[Guest alex]

Probably misguided opting for the 'green of Islam' as some will not fail to interpret it. Green is a xmas colour though so understandable.

 

The school should probably just have asked the kids what they wanted and given them that tbf. Saved any potential argument.

Especially when the argument put forward by the school, i.e. a red Santa representing commercialism, is based on a false premise. Should have gone the whole hog and reverted to paganism. Merry Mithras btw.

[Meenzer 15873]

Nowt wrong with the idea of giving the kids a "different experience", since they'll be bombarded with the usual Christmas stuff in every other part of their lives between now and New Year, but people have to realise that any deviation from the norm is immediately going to be seized upon by the "What will they ban next, casual racism?" mob so there's really no point.

[Bombadil 0]

Father Christmas has been given a makeover - after one school decided his red suit was a symbol of "modern commercialism".

 

The outfit would remind pupils of Coca-Cola adverts, according to the parents' committee at the Steiner School in Brighton.

 

So instead youngsters will be visited by a green-clad St Nicholas.

 

And rather than going to Santa's grotto, they will crawl inside a gnome's home.

 

The school has also decided to an Eastern European version of the festive season, which it believes will be more "inclusive" - even though most pupils are British.

 

School spokesman Sarah James said: "The red-suited Santa was created as a marketing tool by Coca-Cola, it is a symbol of commercialism."

 

But the move has upset some parents, who would prefer the red-suited Santa.

 

Cheryl Williams, 24, said: "What are they going to ban next - snow? Once again the PC brigade have clamped down on everyone's fun."

 

And amateur historian David Baker said: "There are images of a red-suited Santa going back to before the creation of Coca-Cola.

 

"Thomas Nast drew images of Merry Old Santa Claus that shows Santa in his red suit.

 

"If my research is correct, Coca-Cola wasn't even invented until 1886."

 

At the school's Christmas bazaar, pupils will be told a "moral" tale rather than the traditional Christmas story, and instead of opening presents, they will be given fake "rocks" to break open to reveal crystals.

 

Mrs James said: "The school isn't trying to be a spoilsport or anything like that.

 

"The children are bound to come across Santa Claus plenty of times in the run-up to Christmas and we're happy for them to.

 

"We just want to give them a different experience."

 

Meenzer, was it you who posted the "Create your own Daily Mail story" link a while ago? This one reads just like one of those. "What will they ban next, snow?"

[Guest alex]

Bluestar?

[Meenzer 15873]

Not me not I...

 

http://www.toontastic.net/board/index.php?showtopic=16241

[sweetleftpeg 0]

In Santa Claus The Movie he wore green, then the elves made him a red suit. I think you'll find that's FACT.

[manc-mag 1]

In Santa Claus The Movie he wore green, then the elves made him a red suit. I think you'll find that's FACT.

 

that's true like.

 

Mike out of the Young Ones is one of the elves btw. Bit of trivia for you.

[Fop 1]

Aye, the Coca-Cola thing is a myth innit? Sure there's a snopes entry about it.

 

Yup, although in fairness cokes historic campaign did push the red santa idea more to the forefront I guess.

 

I'd say if you are going to make a "stand" against something, it's probably pretty wise to actually make sure what you are standing against even exists.

 

But how the fuck a green santa is more "inclusive" I've no idea, although I suspect the whole crystals as presents gives in insight into the mind of whomever came up with it.

[RlCO 0]

The skool has made a decision based on not just one but two urban myths - Coke turned Santa red, and before that he was green, both incorrect.