Probably the most well-known Coca Cola advertisements are the Santa Claus portraits. A little boy catches Santa in the refrigerator getting a Coca-Cola Santa, at his desk, working on his presents list — all created by Haddon Sundblom.
He painted a new, more “human” Santa Claus for Coke ads and billboards all over the country. The Santa works, painted from 1931 to the late ’60s, portray a robust figure standing six feet tall — a very jovial man with twinkling eyes.
Sundblom first used a retired salesman for his model. When this gentleman died, the artist searched far and wide for a new model until a friend suggested he use his own face.
Probably more than anything else, Sundblom’s images of Santa Claus molded our national concept of the jolly old man, and it’s lasted through changing tastes and electronic times.
“My hat’s off to to the pause that refreshes” (1931)
Old Santa, busiest man in the world, takes time out for the pause that refreshes with ice-cold Coca-Cola. He even knows how to be good to himself. And so he always comes up smiling. So can you.
Over nine million a day… it had to be good to get where it is.
Away with a tired, thirsty face (1933)
Refresh yourself and be alert. Bounce back to normal.
Of course old Santa, busiest man in the world, has his weary moments. But he always comes up smiling. He knows how to pause and refresh himself with an ice-cold Coca-Cola, and rebound to a happy normal… This great drink is a perfect blend of those pleasant, wholesome substances which foremost scientists say do most in restoring you to your normal self. It is really delicious and will refresh you.
“Give and take,” say I (1937)
That extra something! (1942)
… You can spot it every time
… talk about being good! (1950s)
For Santa (1950)
The pause that refreshes – Drink Coca Cola (1953)
There’s this about Coke… (1954)
“It’s my gift for thirst”
Leave it to old Santa — he knows the importance of choosing Christmas presents to fit the occasion. He knows something about refreshment, too. This merry world traveler could tell you that ice-cold Coca-Cola is the perfect gift for thirst — in Mombasa, in Rome, in Rio… or where you live.
Santa spotted by the family dog (1953)
Santa with elves pouring Coke (1960)
Santa with a vintage train set (1962)
“Dear Santa: Please pause here. – Jimmy.” (1963)
Things go better with Coke