Mrs. Claus has been vying for the reins since the late 1800s.

In Atlas Obscura, English professor Maura Ives notes the work of Katharine Lee Bates, author of “America the Beautiful.” In “Goody Santa Claus on a Sleigh Ride,” Bates writes:

For you must allow, my Goodman, that

you’re but a lazy woodman

And rely on me to foster all our fruitful

Christmas trees.

Bates is just one of several female writers who describe Mr. and Mrs. C. Through light-hearted fiction, they spoke in code about real-life issues between wives and husbands.

I was so inspired by Bates and Sarah J. Burke, author of “Mrs. Santa Claus Asserts Herself,” that I penned my own poem: “Mrs. Claus Re-Writes the Story,” seen above.

So many reds, friends.

Each delicious and full of meaning.

I have four basic Mrs. Claus looks for functionality and to prevent clashing with Santa Claus’ red suit. If I’m working with a new Santa, someone I’ve never met, I’ll ask for photos of his look. And then, like Ginger Rogers dancing backwards in heels, I compromise. I find outfit pieces that might make us look like a pair.

I don’t mind doing this. I also have a green jacket, to prevent clashing at all.

Yet I do notice that Santa is often the main fashion editor. Just like in non-character life, I notice that gender plays a role.

Here’s a poem I wrote: