Santa

It just wouldn’t be Christmas without toddlers freaking out on Santa Claus’s lap while their well-meaning parents snap photographs to blackmail them with in later years.

The Chicago Tribune a few years ago collected photos of kids being terrified by Santa, and to get yourself in the true holiday spirit, I recommend looking at their collection. They’ll take you back to your own horrific moments with the Great Man Himself.

My friend Nancy says she wants to have all these printed out, collage-style, and use it as her Christmas wrapping paper.

Some Santas are clearly trying to make the best of things and keep up a cheerful face even as they’re torturing the young, while others look as though they just finished a heavy night of boozing it up and are praying that law enforcement authorities come to relieve them of their responsibilities soon. But I really think the Santa in this picture might be taking things too hard. He needs a vacation. 

Best of all, if you have some photos you want to share, the Florida Sun-Sentinel has joined in the fun, and would love to collect your photos, too. Simply click here to join the melee.