Why Santa Claus Gave Paul McCartney Nuts

Paul McCartney is one of the only people who is about as iconic as Santa Claus. He revealed that his childhood experiences with Jolly Old Saint Nicholas were a little, well, nutty. The cute Beatle gave us a look into how Christmas traditions have evolved since he was a child.

Paul McCartney said Santa Claus used to give him fruit and nuts

During a 2014 interview with PaulMcCartney.com, the “Silly Love Songs” singer was asked to name his favorite Yuletide memory, and he discussed getting some modest gifts from Santa Claus. “I think waking up as a really little kid on Christmas morning, and just seeing the white pillowcase that we used to get,” he said. “It was like a stocking but Mum and Dad used to put it in a white pillowcase, and it would be a present, a couple of nuts and a tangerine.”

Paul’s favorite Christmas memory might seem odd today, but he came from a different generation. When he was a child, Christmas gifts were often more modest. In addition, the people of the United Kingdom were struggling in the years following World War II.

The future Beatle was more impressed with Santa Claus’ visits than his gifts

Paul commented on the idea of getting fruits and nuts as gifts. “Yes, it’s funny what they put in!” he opined. “We weren’t well off, so it wouldn’t be like kids today with their serious couple-of-hundred-quid presents.”

The “Band on the Run” singer was more impressed by Santa Claus visiting him than by the specific presents he received. “Yeah, it was just so exciting it was the ‘He’s been! He’s been!'” Paul recalled. “Just totally buying into this idea that Santa had been in your bedroom and left this white pillowcase. Nuts, tangerine and a present or two. It’s funny though; it’s not so much the value of the presents — though that was good too! — it was just this idea of, ‘He’s been!'” Paul felt that there was a certain childhood innocence colored these memories — and the best memories are associated with childhood innocence.

Paul McCartney’s father hated Christmas carols

While Santa Claus was part of Paul’s childhood Christmas experiences, caroling wasn’t. During a 2022 interview with PaulMcCartney.com, the “Maybe I’m Amazed” singer said he had no memories of ever Christmas caroling, so he assumed he’d never done it. He said that was the result of his father’s personal taste.

Paul’s father, James McCartney, was not a fan of Christmas carols. He used to mock people who sang them and he sometimes paid carolers to leave him alone. Paul, meanwhile, was fond of Christmas music.

That turned out well for the future rock star. The Beatles released a series of short Yuletide records in the 1960s that came with joining their fan club. Later on, Paul wrote the Christmas party song “Wonderful Christmastime,” which you’ll probably hear a dozen times before the month is over. That song stands in stark contrast to the Plastic Ono Band’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” which is the most socially conscious Christmas song you will ever hear.

Paul came from humble beginnings and had humble Christmases — but he went on to become one of the biggest rock songs of all time.