Everyone wonders how an elderly gentleman can climb down chimneys every Christmas and deliver all those presents in one night. The answer is simultaneously simple and implausible: magic.
Although apparently not just any magic, as it is now suspected that Santa Claus could be a wizard — and to fans of Harry Potter it makes a lot of sense.
Fans have started a theory across internet forums that has been spreading over the years. It seems to make sense that many of Santa’s actions could be explained if he were a wizard; but not everyone agrees, because the big man in red could have a magical world all his own that doesn’t directly relate to the saga. Although there is no official theory, fans’ creative ideas often connect different universes offering endless possibilities.
The reality is that Santa is a magical being whether or not he belongs to the wizarding world, and it’s good to imagine these worlds from time to time.
This is not the first attempt to connect universes
C.S. Lewis added the figure of Santa Claus in Narnia and not everyone agreed with the idea, including his close friend, J.R.R. Tolkien, who considered the mixing of mythologies inconceivable for a meticulous creation of worlds. However, despite the criticism and intellectual confrontation, their friendship was characterized by respect; they just held different ideas about it.
Santa’s arrival in Narnia offers hope in a land dominated by the White Witch where it is always winter, but never Christmas. He is an ally of Aslan and although it is not known what he does in Narnia, it is presumed that being a magical being he can travel between worlds, apparently including one where he does a lot of spells as a wizard.
The chimney explanation
“The whole ‘Santa coming down the chimney’ thing is clearly just a muggle conspiracy to cover up the fact that Santa is a wizard traveling by floo powder,” Arumple wrote on Reddit.
The floo powder would allow Santa Claus to come down from the roof into the house without getting stuck in the chimney, according to the theory. Although Muggle houses are not connected to the floo network, they could be temporarily plugged in. For houses that don’t have chimneys, wizards can appear through the devices. Then, problem solved, Santa only needs a means of teleportation.
However, it could be much easier: a simple spell. “I was told as a child that Santa has a special key that opens any door, if the house doesn’t have chimney/the fireplace is boarded up. Is this just Santa using the ‘Alohomora’ charm to open the front door?” said Skillsmeisterdan.
Just one night?
“Santa is clearly a wizard with a time turner,” IndeedGardenia replied in the thread. What greater magic than being able to travel through time? Santa wouldn’t need much more to answer the eternal question: how can he deliver millions of presents in a single night? He could do it if he had a time turner in his possession.
He could also make a lot of special spells to create a festive and joyful atmosphere, not only in the world of humans, but also in Narnia and in the wizarding world.
Santa’s gifts
People wonder where so many gifts come from. It has always been thought that Santa Claus has a factory with elves, so fans have delved into this answer: house elves. Which would make Santa an exploiter, unless he set them free and they voluntarily make the gifts.
“Hermione would stop the unethical Eve of Christmas. No house elves should be subjected to working conditions like this! #LeaveSocksNotCookies,” Silver-PJ wrote on Reddit.
However, Santa could instead be transfiguring coal into presents, “and the transfiguration only stays permanent if the child is nice!” a Redditor says. Also, “his bag has an undetectable extension charm to fit all the gifts,” just as Hermione did.
No one sees Santa
No matter how many hours you’ve waited up to catch a glimpse of Santa, you’ve never had any luck. “Probably obliviates people who saw him, or uses muggle repelling charms,” said one Reddit user. Or maybe an invisibility cloak.
Also, Santa’s house in the North Pole could have all sorts of magical protections so no one can find it. Not just humans, Santa could be hiding from the wizarding world as well. “Maybe he broke Clause 73 of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy by performing magic so openly for millions of muggles. So, he has to hide on the North Pole, which is technically in international waters,” the Reddit post said.
A magical carriage
One of the most fascinating aspects of Santa is his carriage: how can he fly?
The magical flying sleigh is not unlike the Beauxbatons carriage, but instead of having winged horses, it has reindeer, which includes Rudolph with more than just a shiny nose — Rudolph would be a Patronus to keep the Dementors from stealing the Christmas cheer.
No one knows his age
Father Christmas has been doing his job for a long time and although some movies replace him, it is considered that he has always been the same person with many years under his belt. Which would imply cheating death somehow.
For fans there is no other interpretation: “He must have a hidden philosopher stone which would explain the super long life.” The name would also give clues — Hello, St. Nicholas for Nicholas Flamel?
A magical being
The wizarding theory has wide appeal, but it doesn’t fit for everyone. “I don’t think the wizarding governments of the world would allow it as it is a serious threat to the international statute of secrecy,” said Hufflepuff23 on Quora.
In addition, others feel that the Santa Claus movies have revealed quite a bit about Santa’s world and the chimney part doesn’t seem to be made with floo powder.
As adults doubt the magic as the real-world strikes, let the children wait for their Hogwarts letter, believe in a world where wizards exists alongside Christmas and wait for Santa with milk and cookies this Christmas Eve.
Images: Photo by Yevhen Buzuk, Photo by Hush Naidoo Jade Photography