Santa Claus

[redhot00]

A friend of mine, his wife and their new baby are coming into the city over the long Thanksgiving weekend. They asked me where they could take the baby to take his first ever picture with Santa Claus. Other than Macy's, nothing really came to mind when he asked me. So I'm wondering if anyone knows where the best department store Santa in the city is.

[krulltime]

I only know the one in Macys. But I was wondering if they will have a Santa in the Time Warner mall. Is worth to ask I guess.

[lofter1]

There's a list of places to "Visit with Santa" here: http://newyork.citysearch.com/roundup/40546/newyork/best_santas.html?

A good primer for anyone considering playing Santa this X-Mas: http://www.santaschool.com/santa_rules.htm

http://img.timeinc.net/Life/classicpictures/santa/class.jpg
MARTHA HOLMES/TIMEPIX

New York, NY, 1948
The Dean of Santas gives a lecture at the Waldorf Santa Convention
http://www.life.com/Life/classicpictures/santa/3.html


A bit off topic but I couldn't resist: For real X-Mas cheese checkout this turkey from 1964, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, which marked Pia Zadora's film debut: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058548/

[ZippyTheChimp]

What are you people talking about?

The real Santa Claus is at Macy's Herald Square. :)

Have any of you ever been a Santa Claus?

[redhot00]

What are you people talking about?

The real Santa Claus is at Macy's Herald Square. :)

Have any of you ever been a Santa Claus?

Yeah but he sends all the customer's to Gimbels;)

[Edward]

Have any of you ever been a Santa Claus?
December of 1991 - one day I am standing on the corner of Seventh and 34th at the entrance to Macy's, dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, giving out flyers for Willoughby's, posing for pictures with happy children, and trying to understand the meaning of the expression their moms frequently use - "Ho, Ho, Ho".

[lofter1]

Edward, any chance you have pics of you as Santa ?

[Edward]

No, but curiously, some lucky family probably has my picture on the mantel.

[ZippyTheChimp]

http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/i/de/mov/badsa19.jpg

[NewYorkYankee]

Not Santa, but same theme. Do The New York Botanical Garden and Central Park put up a lot of lights for the holidays?

[lofter1]

Central Park not so much (mainly around Tavern on the Green) but the Botanical Gardens: yes, lots.

[NewYorkYankee]

I was thinking that the BG might, but after looking at their website I was in doubt. I only saw an advertisement for the Holiday Train Show.

[lofter1]

Santas fight and steal in the streets

By Vaneesa Bellew and Stephen Cook
HERALD ON SUNDAY
Dec. 18, 2005

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10360490


A gang of drunken "Santas" caused merry hell across central Auckland yesterday, robbing stores, tagging buildings and assaulting security guards.

Three men were arrested on a variety of drunk and disorderly charges, and two security guards had to be treated for cuts after being hit with beer bottles.

The group of 40 men - mostly in their mid-20s and dressed in ill-fitting Santa costumes - began their "Santarchy" shortly after 2pm. First stop was the Victoria St motorway overbridge where they smashed beer bottles and urinated.

They moved through Victoria Park kicking over rubbish bins, throwing bottles at cars and leaping in front of vehicles. One also tagged the Victoria St NZ Post building. Then they headed to the Sky City Casino where several vandalised the giant Christmas tree in the foyer.

Some made their way to the Victoria St Star Mart where they took several items from the shelves. Then it was through Queen St, High St and down to Britomart where security guards said they were yelling, swearing and "causing mayhem".

One ripped a window wiper off a bus while others harangued security guards and waiting passengers.

At the Princes Wharf Viaduct, one managed to scale a mooring line on the cruise ship Pacific Sky before being ordered by the captain to get down. When he retreated he was collared by two port security guards and later arrested.

This sparked angry scenes among the other "Santas" who started throwing bottles at security guards. One was struck in the head with a flying bottle and another was punched in the face. Both were treated by ambulance staff.

Police arrested three of the men, and told others to leave the area, but around 20 went into the Princes St Star Mart and helped themselves to soft drinks and beer.

The event's organiser, Alex Dyer, warned of trouble earlier in the day, saying the antics would only be stopped when someone was arrested. Santarchy, he said, was a worldwide phenomenon designed to dismantle the commercialisation of Christmas. Senior Sergeant Matt Rogers said the men were more like clowns than Santas.

Though he did not want to play down the seriousness of their actions, it was "fairly average behaviour" from "an organised group of idiots" who had had too much to drink. Police had received no warning about the event, despite press reports earlier in the week.

Changa Manakynda of the Princes Wharf Star Mart said the ordeal had been very distressing. "They came in, said 'Merry Christmas' and then helped themselves."


Copyright © 2005, APN Holdings NZ Ltd

[Schadenfrau]

I'm late to this, but the Bronx Zoo has a great holiday lights show.

[lofter1]

The event's organiser, Alex Dyer, warned of trouble earlier in the day, saying the antics would only be stopped when someone was arrested. Santarchy, he said, was a worldwide phenomenon designed to dismantle the commercialisation of Christmas.
SANTARCHY ...

http://santarchy.com/ (http://santarchy.com/)

http://santarchy.com/images/pine_sol.jpg

Santa enjoying his favorite beverage
photo by Michael Zelner (http://www.zoka.com/)

SANTACON: http://www.nbc6.net/news/5519071/detail.html (http://www.nbc6.net/news/5519071/detail.html)#

Santacon Brings Santarchy To New York

Convention Began In San Francisco

December 12, 2005


NEW YORK -- Hundreds of Santas gathered in New York recently to act naughty and nice during a convention called Santacon.

A red sea of Santas paraded across the Brooklyn Bridge, hopped on the subway and stormed the steps of the Federal Building, where the Bill of Rights was signed.

Santacon features Santas of all shapes, sizes and skill levels. They chanted, caroled and caroused.

The tradition began 11 years ago in San Francisco. Since then, it has gone global, with Santacons planned in Boston, Atlanta and London.


http://images.ibsys.com/2005/1212/5518895.jpg

A red sea of Santas paraded across the Brooklyn Bridge,
hopped on the subway (BELOW) and stormed the steps of the
Federal Building, where the Bill of Rights was signed.

http://images.ibsys.com/2005/1212/5518897.jpg

http://images.ibsys.com/2005/1212/5518990.jpg

http://images.ibsys.com/2005/1212/5518902.jpg

There are four unofficial rules of Santacon:


Don't mess with police
Don't mess with kids
Don't mess with store security, and ...
DON'T MESS WITH SANTA

SANTARAMPAGE Austin 2005 ...
http://stevehopson.com/SantaRampageAustin2005.htm (http://stevehopson.com/SantaRampageAustin2005.htm)

http://stevehopson.com/images/SantaDance.jpg (http://stevehopson.com/SantaBras.htm)

December 9, 2005 - An unexplained mass of Santas once again invade Austin and hold the city hostage
for an evening of rampaging and anarchy.

[lofter1]

Santacon NY 2009 (http://santacon.info/New_York-NY/) (December 12)

Slide Show (http://www.villagevoice.com/slideshow/view/28952672)

Videos !!! (http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&q=santacon%202009%20%22new%20york%22&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#)

Santacon NYC 2009 Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll_ll9lvneM)

SantaCon NYC 2009 - Brooklyn Bowling (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSNXjfBM0Hk)

[BrooklynRider]

You all need to check out these Santas:

http://www.sketchysantas.com/search?updated-max=2009-12-12T01%3A41%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=10

Drunks, Ex-cons, Pedophiles

Like this....

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__N70qf6G94U/SyB7tMXbm5I/AAAAAAAAARc/haPY5Dib1j4/s1600/Brian.jpg

[NYatKNIGHT]

^Thank you!

[NYatKNIGHT]

As for SantaCon (lofter's post) I now know why there were hundreds of drunk Santas all over my neighborhood last weekend. It was actually quite funny.

[lofter1]

Who's naughty now?

Rebel Christmas Card 2009 (http://www.rebelchristmascard2009.com/)

[ZippyTheChimp]

Screaming twins and Santa

http://media.divinecaroline.com/ext/article_images2/santa_twins/uglysanta_06.jpg http://media.divinecaroline.com/ext/article_images2/santa_twins/uglysanta_41.jpg http://media.divinecaroline.com/ext/article_images2/santa_twins/uglysanta_37.jpg

http://media.divinecaroline.com/ext/article_images2/santa_twins/uglysanta_15.jpg

Seafaring Santa

http://media.divinecaroline.com/ext/article_images2/scary_santa1/uglysanta_21.jpg

PETA Santa

http://media.divinecaroline.com/ext/article_images2/scary_santa1/uglysanta_10.jpg

Wanted by the Police Santa

http://media.divinecaroline.com/ext/article_images2/scary_santa1/uglysanta_09.jpg

"A traveling salesman stops at a farmhouse..." Santa

http://media.divinecaroline.com/ext/article_images2/scary_santa1/uglysanta_18.jpg


Yule log Santa

http://www.guitar.com/uploaded/profile_images/forum_3f0f495b_drunkSanta.jpg

[MidtownGuy]

^LMAO on that last photo:D:D

[Codex]

Before Coca Cola helped invent the current figure we now regard as Santa Claus, children looked to the far more respectable, wholesome and religous figure of St Nicholas.

http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/heritage/cokelore_santa.html

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=23

St Nicholas Statue, St Nicholas Church, Ashchurch, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire - England.

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/ashchurch-uk-wmaster.jpg

St Nicholas

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OaM26AW_n0A/STWo6_8c42I/AAAAAAAACGs/9PdLfJf_WKE/s400/St.+Nicholas.jpg

[lofter1]

Hmmm ... don't know that the marketeers within the Church had any more basis for their image than did the PR guys over at Coke.

The Russians see Nicholas of Myra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas) differently:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Saint_Nicholas.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Russian_icon_Instaplanet_Saint_Nicholas.JPG

[ZippyTheChimp]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/cats/2008/12/medium_santa-cat.jpg

[lofter1]

Have a Jolly Bolly Nickmas (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb83o2sZckQ&feature=related) ...

Indian version - Jingle Bells Jingle Bells - Punjabi Style

[ZippyTheChimp]

Some Czechs want end to Santa Claus


While scores of children across the world cannot wait
for Santa Claus to sled in with bags of toys, his enemies
in Prague would like him to go up in flames.

Dec 23, 2009

By Katerina Zachovalova


http://www.timeslive.co.za/multimedia/dynamic/00377/India_Christmas_DEL_377353b.jpg
A man dressed as Santa Claus plays with school children
during Christmas celebrations at a school in Ahmadabad, India, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009.


http://www.timeslive.co.za/multimedia/dynamic/00377/GYI0059190099_jpg_377322b.jpg
South Koreans wearing Santa Claus outfits prepare to wrap Christmas gifts
at the 'Santa factory' on December 23, 2009 in Seoul, South Korea.
The Santa Factory is a charity that prepares and delivers gifts to poor people as part of a campaign.


On a recent evening, two dozen activists carried a Santa figurine through the streets of Prague amid biting frost, setting him ablaze on a bridge over the Vltava river with a single hope - that he would not dare to come back.

"Someone could say that this is a Sisyphean struggle," said Ondrej Soucek, a 32-year-old copywriter who co-organized the Santa expulsion. "But we hope that one day this country will be void of Santa Claus."

In the Czech Republic, as elsewhere in Central Europe, parents tell children that Jezisek, known as Baby Jesus or Christ Child in English, brings their Christmas presents.

Jezisek is a magic figure, whose looks are left to everyone's imagination. He is never seen hauling gifts through a window and placing them under a Christmas tree on Christmas Eve.

Atheist Communist rulers unsuccessfully tried in 1950s to replace Baby Jesus with Ded Moroz, a Russian holiday season present-bearer.

After Communism fell in the former Czechoslovakia in 1989, Santa, a universally recognizable Christmas symbol, proved more effective than Ded Moroz - at least in invading the Czech marketplace.

The jolly, fat, bearded man dressed in a white-hemmed red outfit, who delivers presents to children in Scandinavia and North America through a chimney, has since crept into advertisements, shopping malls, television programmes and children's books.

Fed-up Czech advertising copywriters began protesting Santa in 2006, blaming him for upstaging Czech Christmas traditions. This holiday season, more than 7,200 people signed a petition organized by another anti-Santa group.

The activists made a stop in front of a pizzeria on the touristy Old Town Square, which employs a singing and dancing Santa figurine in a bid to lure clients to its street mulled-wine stand.

"It attracts people. They stop to take pictures," said the restaurant's baker, Hatem Takrouni, a Tunisian who has lived in Prague for a decade. He questioned the sense of fighting Santa in a globalized world where traditions are no longer confined by borders.

"It is like Valentine's Day. It is not a Czech tradition, but people have grown accustomed to it. It is too late," he said.

But Czechs seem to appreciate Christmas advertising that refers to homegrown customs and humour. Bara Novotna's work is a testimony.

The 33-year-old copywriter conceived what has become a perennial Christmas commercial for Kofola, a Czech soft drink that competes with the likes of Coca-Cola. Coke helped to popularize the contemporary image of Santa Claus in 1931 magazine ads.

Santa Claus is absent from a Kofola commercial created by Novotna. Instead the ad makes use of a local legend, according to which a golden pig shows itself to those fasting on Christmas Day.

While trekking through a snow-covered forest in a quest of a Christmas tree, a father tells his daughter the golden pig tale until the little girl declares she won't have to fast because she already sees a pig. A wild boar chases them away.

"Santa is trivial," said Novotna, who has joined the anti-Santa movement. "Coming up with something like this is much harder than doing a (Santa) ad for Coca-Cola."

The client was not excited at first, Novotna recalled. But the commercial grew so popular that it has been broadcast every winter since 2003. A fan group on the Facebook social networking website has so far swelled to over 42,000 members.

"They cannot cancel this commercial. It has become a tradition," one devotee, Iveta Polakova, wrote. Its popularity, however, raises the question of whether Santa poses a real threat to Czech Christmas traditions.

According to a survey by the Sanep polling agency, 87 per cent of 16,260 respondents said that Baby Jesus brings gifts to their families. Only 1 per cent of Czechs believe this role is carried out by Santa Claus or Ded Moroz.

Some children are clearly confused by the abundance of Christmas gift-givers. Novotna said that several dozen children, whom the anti-Santa activists asked to draw Christ Child, mostly sketched a figure with a red hat.

Matyas Nesvadba, a lively 10-year-old, said that Baby Jesus is a tall bearded man who arrives on a sled. How does he bring presents? "Through a chimney," he said before hurrying to correct himself. "Through a window! Through a window!"

Despite confusion, children of the globalized era seem capable of making some sense of the Christmas gift-giving mess. The blond boy took a few moments to sort out the matter. "Baby Jesus brings presents to us and Santa Claus in America," he said.

© 2009 AVUSA, Inc

[Codex]

Hmmm ... don't know that the marketeers within the Church had any more basis for their image than did the PR guys over at Coke.

The Russians see Nicholas of Myra (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas) differently:



The Russians view lots of things differently to the west, however the original St Nicholas was at least part of the religous belief behind the Christian Holiday.

As for Coca Cola of all the multi-nationals they probably adhere least to the message of Christmas and goodwill to all men. Coca Cola being a company which was closely linked with Nazi Germany, Fanta being a Nazi Drink. Whilst more recently Coca Cola have been linked to the death of union activists at their bottling plants in South America, as well as causing drought and enviromental catastrophe by diverting local water supplies to their factories in countries such as India and the third world. Coca Cola is even banned in several UK Universities.

http://www.newstatesman.com/200405240002 (http://www.newstatesman.com/200405240002)

http://killercoke.org/ (http://killercoke.org/)

http://www.economist.com/businessfinance/displaystory.cfm?story_id=4492835 (http://www.economist.com/businessfinance/displaystory.cfm?story_id=4492835)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/manchester-students-ban-coke-in-human-rights-protest-439589.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/manchester-students-ban-coke-in-human-rights-protest-439589.html)

Coca Cola is trying to improve it's PR image and has won some legal victories, but it's still a company with a dubious history, and it's marketing manipulation and PR seems anything but christian, and many still believe coca cola executives have a lot of blood on their hands.

http://killercoke.org/images/flash-main.jpg

[lofter1]

It's never too early to get the red out ...

NYC Santacon 2010 (http://nycsantacon.com/)

Saturday December 11, 2010

Santacon (http://nycsantacon.com/) is a non-denominational, non-commercial, non-political and non-sensical Santa Claus convention that occurs once a year for absolutely no reason.

Santa will announce his starting location(s?) on this website (http://nycsantacon.com/) on the evening of Friday, December 10.

All Santas must attend in full and glorious holiday regalia. No exceptions.

[mariab]

Very colorful website! Wonder if there will be any drunk Santas, like Dan Akroyd in Trading Places.

[NYatKNIGHT]

And I wonder if there will be any SOBER Santa's; if last year is any indication the answer is ho-ho-NO!

I just might have to start looking for a good Santa outfit, it looked like loads of fun last year.

To clarify: Friday is the announcement of the location. Saturday Dec. 11th is the date.

[ZippyTheChimp]

If you've never been a Santa Claus, you should do it. Good to be a little high, but not drunk. Combination of a buzz and that red suit will take away anyone's inhibitions.

Wish I could remember the picture "Yule Log Santa" that MTG found so funny. URL shows drunk_santa, but the page is gone.

[lofter1]

To clarify: Friday is the announcement of the location. Saturday Dec. 11th is the date.

Thanks. I've corrected that in the post.

[lofter1]

Is anyone joining in the festivities this year?

The elves have just re-tailored my suit to make it as fashionable as possible for the Big Event (http://santacon.info/New_York-NY/):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2QkjbyTGbA

[Fabrizio]

A week or so ago, for a few mornings, I didn't shave. I kind of wanted to see the reaction if I started sporting a beard. Unfortunately it's coming in grayer and grayer but I thought it was looking rather distinguished.

The guy at my coffee bar asked me if I was I was letting it grow for Christmas.

I went home and shaved it off.

[lofter1]

I wish I had started growing mine sooner, so I'd be fully ready for the festivities. But what I've grown so far will have to do. No way I'm going to wear a fake one -- it could interfere with imbibing. The elves tell me what I've got looks just fine. But you know how they can be.

[mariab]

Oh God that's funny. "I'm going to get so wasted I poop in my Santa Pants". Big LOL!

[lofter1]

Santa's Survival Guide (http://nycsantacon.com/#survivalguide):

What to expect




Santacon is an annual convention for Santa and his holiday brethren.
Expect holiday cheer, unconventional gifts, naughty carols and general mayhem.
Do not expect to be entertained: Santa IS the entertainment!


How to be Santa




Santa doesn’t just wear a cool suit and invade your dad’s liquor cabinet: he also brings gifts!
A gift can be a reindeer game, a song, a dance or a joke to entertain Santa and tourists alike.


How NOT to be Santa




Santa never endangers his reindeer with violence, vandalism, inappropriate groping or theft.
Santa never gets SO jolly he needs babysitting.
Santa never expects to get away with behavior that an ordinary citizen wouldn’t.
It’s not a bar crawl
Every time you call Santacon a bar crawl, a sugarplum fairy dies.


SANTACON FAQ

What is Santacon?


Santacon is your opportunity to be Santa!



• You MUST dress like Santa,
• You SHOULD ho-ho-ho like Santa,
• You OUGHT TO give out gifts like Santa and (of course)
• YA GOTTA drink like Santa.



Is this some kind of political statement?




• No. It's fun. Remember fun?



Who's in charge?




• SANTA.

SANTA'S RULES:



• Santa doesn't talk to the press. "Ho-ho-ho" is good. "Publicity ho" is lame.
• Santa doesn't get arrested.
• Please remember the FOUR ****S:



1. Don't **** with kids.
2. Don't **** with cops.
3. Don't **** with security.
4. Don't **** with Santa. (yeah, it's okay to **** Santa)

DOWNLOAD (http://nycsantacon.com/santacon2010_carol_book.pdf) Santa's Carol Book

Includes memorable festive tunes, such as ...




Frosty the Cokehead
We Are the Santa Rampage
Let It Flow
Police Nabbed My Dad
Rudolph the Red Nosed Raver
You’d Better Watch Out #1
You’d Better Watch Out #2




WE ARE THE SANTA RAMPAGE

to the tune of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"


We are the Santa Rampage,
We are the Santa Rampage,
We are the Santa Rampage,
Now give us some Beer!
We want some Beer Pudding,
We want some Beer Pudding,
We want some Beer Pudding,
But we'll settle for Beer.
We won't go until we get some.
We won't go until we get some.
We won't go until we get some.
Have we mentioned the beer?!

The Carol Book also includes helpful holiday tips, such as ...

Top Ten Santa Pick-Up Lines

Top Ten Elf Pickup Lines

[lofter1]

Santacon SF (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theprojectfc/5240119081/in/set-72157625405912081/)

December 4, 2010

The Project FC's photostream at Flicker (http://www.flickr.com/photos/theprojectfc/5240119081/in/set-72157625405912081/)

[Fabrizio]

I was wondering why I'm not feeling well, someone out there must be calling Santacon a bar crawl.

[lofter1]

I always think of you as more of a lemon drop than a sugar plum ;)

Meanwhile, Way Out West ...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pchGm3PBLOg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgX-21DR3-g


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUrtVTsy2PQ&NR=1


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDTeWYBr388


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn4MHcL_V4I


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wR9SLzgqZE

[lofter1]

Back East, the stockings are hung in eager anticipation and the partying kicks off early ...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97BqBy2XrFQ&NR=1

[lofter1]

Still no news of tomorrow's starting point ...

But the Santacon (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10thavenue/sets/72157622913263657/) festivities last Saturday in Columbia, Missouri (http://santacon.info/Columbia-MO/) look appropriately colorful.

[lofter1]

Ho ho ho ...

Santacon 2010 Starting Points (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=107924559869708565661.000496dd36c3b11c37006&ll=40.744396,-73.952408&spn=0.148263,0.363579&z=12)

Please go to your most convenient start point.
All Santas will meet up EARLY (http://nycsantacon.com/).
Don’t worry about starting with your friends – make new ones!

Updates at Twitter (http://twitter.com/santacon)

[Fabrizio]

"lemon drop".... had me howlng. LOL.

[lofter1]

Total In-Santa-ty !!!

10 AM, and Sara Roosevelt Park was the place to be ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_101.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_102.jpg

Early as it may have been, concealed containers were de rigeur ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_103.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_105.jpg

Fashion was forefront; winter white always works ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_104.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_106.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_107.jpg

In honor of the dark days of the winter ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_108.jpg

And what are the holidays without a tree, fully trimmed?

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_109.jpg

Two hours later the roar went out that "Santa is on the move!!" and the crowd went wild ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_110.jpg

It was off to the F Train, traveling in the direction of the North Pole ...

[lofter1]

Santa takes over Central Park!

The southern contingent, Ho Ho Ho-ing up the Mall ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_201.jpg

Next stop: Bethesda Fountain!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_202.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_203.jpg

With Music!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_204.jpg

Some guys had to work (picking up all those open containers) ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_205.jpg

Anticipating the Holiday Spirit ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_206.jpg

A Christmas Bush ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_207.jpg

Santa just kept coming ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_208.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_209.jpg

An ELF on watch ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_210.jpg

[lofter1]

Mayor Mike sent in the troops, just in case Santa got a little too crazy.

But the tax dollars were wasted (as Santa was soon to be) ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_301.jpg

Eyeballing the the officers of the peace ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_302.jpg

The western contingent high steps it through Central Park ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_303.jpg

There's always somebody trying to spoil the fun ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_304.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_305.jpg

Santa takes over ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_307.jpg

Santa thuggery ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_306.jpg

Naughty ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_309.jpg

Nice ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_308.jpg

Amidst a sea of Santas, the birthday boy makes an appearance ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_310.jpg

Balls fell from the sky ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_311.jpg

And the party kicked into full tilt Santacon ...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_312.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_313.jpg

The clock struck two and there was another call: SANTA is ON THE MOVE!!!

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_314.jpg

FELIZ NAVIDAD !!!

[NYatKNIGHT]

Great pics, loft.

Then they took over my neighborhood. It was not unlike Halloween during the parade in that there were so many people dressed up. SO many. Every single bar, store, ATM, grocery, and restaurant had them, inside, outside, on the balconies, on and on, block after block, from Houston St. to 14th, from Hudson St. to Broadway and beyond. Very impressive numbers. I wasn't one of them though, unfortunately, but next year for sure. What kept me is I didn't get an acceptable Santa suit in time - it really can't be lame. The good ones must go on sale after the holidays, no? Anyway, I wasn't going to be one of those guys with only a hat and my girlfriend had was NOT into it (possible break-up material as we very much disagree on this). That, and I also had a horrible hangover from a very late Friday night. Damn you late night NYC after hours bars!

[lofter1]

Go to your neighborhood Ricky's NYC after the holidays and get a good one for next year. They're about the only place in town with reasonable and good selection, and have a nice assortment (http://www.rickysnyc.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=santa&x=0&y=0): Sexy Mrs. Claus, Elves, Old Style St. Nick, Reindeer + Santa (at various price points).

I wouldn't be surprised if Santacon is a secret marketing ploy by Ricky's :cool:

[Dr.T]

Greats pics, Lofter1
Feliz Navidad... Ho Ho Ho :)

[scumonkey]

Red tide a little early this month...(sorry) :D
This is just all wrong and to awesome at the same ! (thanks for the photo documentary, for me- better than being there ;))
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p242/Lofter1/Santacon%20NYC%202010/101211_SantaconNYC2010_207.jpg

[lofter1]

SantaLeaks

The New Yorker (http://newyorker.tumblr.com/post/2351607272/santaleaks) is off for the holidays, but we’ll leave you with this confluence of current affairs and Christmas:

SantaLeaks: an analysis of more than a hundred thousand documents recently leaked by a disgruntled elf has revealed several surprising facts about the North Pole’s most famous citizen.

· Santa and several top elves colluded to circumvent a ban on Chinese-made toys, despite pressure from the North Pole community to deliver only toys made locally.

· Santa has, over the years, acted to undermine potential successors, privately disparaging one of his nephews as “lazy,” another as “not really committed to the whole Christmas thing,” and yet another as “incapable of growing a beard of the appropriate size, if you know what I mean.”

· Senior North Pole officials were astonished when an elf in Santa’s cabinet proposed halting a long-standing program monitoring pouting and crying. “For years, we’ve been telling people that they’d better not do this,” one said in a confidential cable, “and now we’re removing all restrictions? What’s next? Decriminalizing the failure to watch out?”

· After Santa suffered a serious hip injury, in the late seventies, the Prime Minister of Norway offered him access to several chimneys to conduct entrance and egress exercises.

· A reported mixup in 2004 that brought eleven-year-old Jack Keller, of Seattle, a book of math games instead of a football was not accidental: Santa was sending a message.

· During home visits last Christmas, Santa spied on the C.E.O.s of several Fortune 500 companies, and collected personal data including but not limited to credit-card and frequent-flier numbers.

· The song “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” has more basis in truth than was previously thought; elves worried for years about Santa’s philandering, which began to decrease only recently, after Mrs. Claus discovered an illicit text message from an Arizona school-board member.

· Santa doesn’t enjoy going to certain St. Louis suburbs. “They just give me the creeps,” he told one top elf.

· Most cookies left out for Santa end up being fed to the reindeer.

· In 2007, Santa suppressed the delivery of gifts to more than a thousand residents of Los Angeles as a result of his displeasure with the movie “Fred Claus.”

· Just this year, Santa accepted a payment of twelve million dollars to keep Charlie Sheen on the “nice” list.

· A potential environmental disaster was kept secret by the North Pole in 2008, after a large bag filled with painted blocks from Vietnam fell from Santa’s sleigh into the Anglezarke reservoir, in Lancashire, raising fears of lead contamination. Elves with scuba gear and flashlights were sent in to retrieve the blocks under cover of night.

· Contrary to popular belief, Santa cannot really tell when you’re sleeping or when you’re awake, but he will fly into a rage if his ability to do so is questioned. ♦

[lofter1]

SANTACON 2011 APPROACHETH ...

From: SantaCon.info Webmaster
October 18, 2011

I've just heard from Santa: The NYC SantaCon will be on December 10. Ho! Ho! Ho! +++ Remember where you heard it first +++

[lofter1]

Santacon is a non-denominational, non-commercial, non-political and non-sensical Santa Claus convention that occurs once a year for absolutely no reason.

14285

http://nycsantacon.com/

Santa's Survival Guide:


What to expect

Santacon is an annual convention for Santa and his holiday brethren.
Expect holiday cheer, unconventional gifts, naughty carols and general mayhem.
Do not expect to be entertained: Santa IS the entertainment!

14286

[Ninjahedge]

Wow, took me a bit to realize I was reading Last Year's posts!! ;)

[lofter1]

Pretty much the same every year. Just BIGGER. More Drunken Elves. Ever FESTIVE!

[lofter1]

Only 12 Days to go until Santa-Con 2011 ...

santacon (http://twitter.com/#!/santacon) tweets

Got a naughty carol you'd like to add to Santa's XXXmas songbook?
Send your lyrics to songbook@nycsantacon.com

[lofter1]

FOUR DAYS to go!

For you Naughty types ...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZy3FgF1Kro

[lofter1]

THREE DAYS until In-SANTA-ty Ensues!!

A reminder:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2QkjbyTGbA

[stache]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB2RMXxKJw0 :cool:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxb5xkW8aVk