MERRI CHRSIHMAST

[Snooglebum]

http://tindeck.com/listen/ooku

[Roderick]

That was terrifying, so MERRI CHRSITMASATJH!

[Sleepdance]

Weird idea I got: Even though Coca-cola invented Santa Clause almost no one drinks Coca-cola at Christmas. Right?

[elmuerte]

1) CocaCola didn't invent Santa Clause, they just defined his current looks.

2) Christmas is about presents, not about Santa Clause (or CocaCola)

3) Cannot think of a third thing

4) Merry Festivus

[DanJW]

Also, Santa Claus was depicted in several different costumes (mostly green), including the red one, before Coca Cola came along and made red the definitive version.

One possible origin I like for the costume: the Santa Claus figure has many pre-Christian roots (eg he is actually Odin) and some links to Slavic Shamanism. One traditional shaman ritual costume is freshly flayed reindeer hide, worn inside-out. Red on the outside, white fur on the inside and the edges.

I enjoy telling children this theory at this time of year.

Here's another one. We kiss under mistletoe because it was a holy plant and symbol of fertility to druids and other celtic faiths. Fertility? Yes; in some stories it is said to be divine drops of godly semen.

[elmuerte]

Best xmas weapon evar: Missile toe

[Orv]

I enjoy telling children this theory at this time of year.

Thanks to the wonderful television program that is Psych, I have a new one to frighten youngsters with;

The Dutch Santa Claus takes all the children on the Naughty List away to be slaves and deliver toys for the good children.

Good ol' Lassie.

[DanJW]

Heh. I only this year learned about the Krampus.

[elmuerte]

The Dutch Santa Claus takes all the children on the Naughty List away to be slaves and deliver toys for the good children.

Except that they are not really slaves.

[Roderick]

It's Sinterklaas, and nobody really know what happens to the kids that go back to Spain in the burlap bag. Horrible, horrible things, I presume!

[elmuerte]

Considering Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) is Catholic it doesn't leave much to the imagination.

[Orv]

Still, it shuts the kids up for a few minutes, which is the point of the thing. Works for me.

[syntheticgerbil]

my ears

[Snooglebum]

my ears

MURRAY CRAITSMURST

[elmuerte]

MERRY RemoTMas