Father Christmas and Coca-Cola have long been linked via Coke's advertising campaigns
Posted on 11/21/2007 8:59:43 AM PST by Stoat
Santa Claus is being forced to wear a green suit when visiting a school this year, after teachers decided the traditional red outfit would remind pupils of Coca-Cola.
Education chiefs have also banned the annual Christmas grotto - favouring an eastern European version of the festive season instead.
Staff at the Steiner School in Brighton, East Sussex, claim the red-suited Santa is a symbol of "modern commercialism" and reminds children of Coca-Cola adverts.
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Father Christmas and Coca-Cola have long been linked via Coke's advertising campaigns
They want its 200 pupils - aged from three to 16 - to experience more traditional values and customs, and have arranged for a Santa wearing a green outfit and slippers to visit them instead.
School spokesman Sarah James said visitors hoping to find the traditional jolly white-bearded fellow will be disappointed.
She added: "The red-suited Santa was created as a marketing tool by Coca-Cola, it is a symbol of commercialism.
"The school want to give the children a different view of things."
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The Steiner School in Brighton has taken a tough stance on Santa
Santa's grotto will be abandoned with kids instead visiting a gnome's home which they can crawl inside.
They will then be told a moral story and given fake rocks to break open with mini-hammers - to reveal crystals.
Mrs James added: "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 the bazaar to give them a different experience.
No place for Santa: The poster for the Christmas bazaar advertises a 'GNOMES' grotto
"There will also be a craft market, candle dipping and choir performances as well as gingerbread decorating, homemade food and live music - in accordance with eastern European traditions."
But mum-of-two Cheryl Williams, 24, from Hove, said: "What a load of nonsense!
"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, from Brighton, 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."
I thought of that possibility too. I believe some version of the jolly old elf does wear green but, considering that they believed that the red suit was invented by Coke, I’m sure that they chose green because...well...shouldn’t everything be “green” these days?
There are places on earth that think Coca-Cola and Hollywood movies dubbed in the local language when thinking about America.
Apologies to Benny Hill...
I had to check and see if this was SCRAPPLEFACE...it ISN’T???!!!! It’s crazy.
Line these teachers up against a wall and whip them for gross stupidity.
I want a 7-UP with a side of MountainDew right NOW!!
FMCDH(BITS)
According to the website it costs parents seven and a half thousand pounds a year to send their kids to this school. Guess they can do what they like if their customers are happy.
The Left always seems to have a knack for exceeding the threshold of rational believability, don't they?
Next thing you know, they'll be wanting us to give up our cars, drink rat's milk and embrace Islamofascism.!
Oooops...wait a minute........
Since the red parts are the combined presence of the Saint George's Cross and the Saint Patrick's Cross, I have no doubt that the anti-Christian Left, who endlessly bleat about 'tolerance' and 'diversity' have a visceral, seething hate for the flag already on the grounds that it is a 'religious flag' and most likely prefer the EU or UN flags, or a rainbow flag made by authentic homosexuals.
UNION JACK UNION FLAG OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
The Saint George's Cross has been a focal point of disdain for the 'tolerance fascists' for some time
Great Britain Navy bans St.George flags (Flag said to upset Turks; reminder of Crusades)
Although I of course applaud your sentiments, I have a concern that such a worthy punishment might end up being counterproductive, as such a public spectacle would provide a certain gratification for the numerous teachers there who very likely appreciate 'alternative' sexual habits such as bondage and sadomasochism, as well as those who would be delighted to become a martyr for 'secular tolerance'.
Hopefully, the widespread ridicule that will be heaped upon them all as a result of the publicity surrounding their deconstruction of Christmas traditions will provide an adequate level of shame, and thoughtful parents who had been previously unaware of the leanings of this particular school will rethink any plans to send their children there.
I like red, with white and blue :)
There ya go!
I have long ago written off England as any friend to the US.
It’s a country gone mad , the once proud British now kissing Islamic arses whenever possible. We can’t count on them any more. Soon they will be an Islamic country all together and Santa will be executed.
" The Green Christmas is being staged by Australia’s major environmental education organisation, Gould formed in 1909
Green Santa’s media spokesperson Ron Smith today said, ”Mr Claus realises the move to change to green to promote climate change issues will also bring a range of other changes which will need to be implemented”.
“This will include the renaming of his famous red nose reindeer Rudolph whose name will be changed to Gary the Green Nose Reindeer and of course will also lead to the rewriting of the famous Christmas carol”.
“Santa’s elves traditionally dressed in green will remain the same.”
“Mr Claus understands this will cause some upset with people who prefer the traditional red Santa costume, however, the climate change threat to the world’s environment required everyone to be involved and show their support for action.”
Mr Smith said that the Green Santa is keen to promote environmental messages to people purchasing Christmas gifts "
Oh no , even Christmas is being dragged into the Global warming Fraud
She added: “The red-suited Santa was created as a marketing tool by Coca-Cola, it is a symbol of commercialism.
That’s not what she said. She actually said “The red-suited Santa makes us think of Coca-Cola advertising. We want to go back to the original Saint Nicholaus dressed in green.”
The Daily Mail (the paper that supported Hitler) is printing it’s own version of the “truth” again.
Oh, and green is just as valid as red for Santa. Dickens’ version was dressed in green.
I’m don’t doubt that a newspaper reporter might have their own agenda, but how do you know what she actually said? Please provide a source.
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