Move Over, Frosty, in New Orleans It’s All About Mr. Bingle

holidays new orleans style

The Birth of Bingle

Mr. Bingle got his start as a Christmas decoration in the window of the Maison Blanche department store on Canal Street in 1948. Emile Alline was a window display manager who dreamed up an adorable snowman with a cute ice-cream cone hat, holly leaf wings, and sparkling Christmas ornament eyes. The hopes were that the whimsical figure would entice passers-by into the store to shop.

Maison Blanche’s president, Lewis Schwartz, Jr., came up with the name Mr. Bingle, giving the mascot the same initials as the department store. A local puppeteer named Oscar Istentrout was brought on board to bring Mr. Bingle to life through marionette shows in the store's display windows. People passing by on Canal St. fell in love with the charming snowman and a New Orleans icon was born. 

Mr. Bingle Today

After Maison Blanche was purchased by Dillard's in 1998, it wasn't the end of Bingle. Decades later, the enduring NOLA figure is still very much a part of the holiday spirit. Each year during the annual Celebration in the Oaks in City Park the large Mr. Bingle decoration that used to fly outside of Maison Blanche provides the perfect photo opportunity for eager locals and visitors.

Dillard's markets a line of special Mr. Bingle merchandise during the holiday season, and shops and homes around the city incorporate the charming snowman into their decorations. Even young children know Mr. Bingle, thanks to his continuous presence throughout the years and fond memories shared by older relatives.

What Mr. Bingle Means to New Orleans

Mr. Bingle may have started as part of a department store's advertising campaign, complete with a catchy jingle (Jingle, Jangle, Jingle, Here comes, Mr. Bingle…). But the endearing snowman became so much more, spawning books, a television show, and merchandise. He was even given an origin story about how he was brought to life by Santa to help spread the magic of Christmas.

But most importantly, the character evolved into so much more than promotional material. Mr. Bingle is a symbol of the New Orleans Christmas spirit. He has countless fans, like Judy Murphy, who's part of a Facebook page called Mr. Bingle Fans (turns out there are quite a few pages dedicated to the loveable snowman).

When asked what Mr. Bingle means to her, Murphy said, “I love Mr. Bingle because he brings back Christmas memories of growing up in New Orleans. When you would go to take your picture with Santa, sometimes Mr. Bingle was hanging on the wall right behind him. You would get a plastic Bingle face on a yarn necklace or a Bingle ring.”

Murphy reminisced about how the group held a massive Bingle Birthday luncheon for the snowman's 75th birthday. She added, “Mr. Bingle is such a local favorite. A treasure that has been passed down from generation to generation.”

Bring Home Some Bingle

If your holiday travels bring you to New Orleans, make sure to get a closer look at the city's favorite snowman. Bring home a Mr. Bingle ornament or get the kids a plush doll to cuddle up with in your NOLA Hotel. You won't just be getting a souvenir. You're bringing home a slice of New Orleans Christmas history.