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.