The death of Santa Claus
Claus. Santa (aka St. Nickolas, Father Christmas, Sinter Klass) died suddenly in the year 2005. Believed to be born in Turkey circa 280 A.D. and later relocated to The North Pole. Survived by his loving wife Mrs. Claus and thousands of toy building elves. Revered by children around the world for centuries, his generosity knew no bounds. Santa will be missed by all. A private memorial service will be held. Flowers are gratefully declined.
Before you ask, “Did Santa really die?,” the short answer is no, the long answer is yes.
As the father of a pair of boys aged 10 and four I have feeling the gig may be coming to an end for my oldest. And like most kids his age, the devastating news will probably happen on the school playground when some show off will tease him for even believing in the first place.
The erosion of belief and the ultimate death of Santa though doesn't end on the playground, it happens in our everyday life. It starts with the corporate worlds lust for more profits, more consumption and more consumers. Eventually kids catch on, they start to ask questions.
It starts locally as every mall in town tries to capitalize on the image of Santa. They offer a few minutes with Santa and the possibility of a picture (actually they push the picture over the visit with Santa, $$$ before anything else. Though the mall Santa is very much a Christmas tradition in North America). But how can he be at every mall? Well those guys aren't really Santa, they're his helpers as you try to explain a question away, Santa is really at the North Pole working away, he can't be everywhere all of the time. You just hope they believe.
Then the television commercials begin reducing Santa to a pitchman. Santa drinks Coca-Cola (apparently Santa's workshop also has an exclusivity deal just like Fanshawe with the soft drink giant), he definitely shops at Canadian Tire, because where else can he “Give like Santa, but save like Scrooge” (never mind that Santa's workshop is supposed to churn out all the toys he needs without having to shop for them), and I'm sure this year Santa will switch his insurance to Geico so he can save 10 per cent. Ugh this is all too much.
The mystery of Santa is slowly dissolving, and we are all to blame. We are sending Santa to his death. Santa is becoming over exposed and the consequences will be grave. As a society we are slowly removing the layers and layers until the mystery of Santa will no longer exist. The continued commercialism and opportunistic capitalists who see dollar signs dancing before their eyes are all but choking the life out of Santa as we follow along like sheep. I know Santa isn't dead, but as in everything else in life, society is doing it's best to put an end to it all.
Ultimately what's wrong with wanting to believe in Santa and the spirit that he is supposed to be, not the cheap shill that he has become.
Want to ho ho ho all over John Said's opinion, email him at johntsaid@yahoo.ca
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Before you ask, “Did Santa really die?,” the short answer is no, the long answer is yes.
As the father of a pair of boys aged 10 and four I have feeling the gig may be coming to an end for my oldest. And like most kids his age, the devastating news will probably happen on the school playground when some show off will tease him for even believing in the first place.
The erosion of belief and the ultimate death of Santa though doesn't end on the playground, it happens in our everyday life. It starts with the corporate worlds lust for more profits, more consumption and more consumers. Eventually kids catch on, they start to ask questions.
It starts locally as every mall in town tries to capitalize on the image of Santa. They offer a few minutes with Santa and the possibility of a picture (actually they push the picture over the visit with Santa, $$$ before anything else. Though the mall Santa is very much a Christmas tradition in North America). But how can he be at every mall? Well those guys aren't really Santa, they're his helpers as you try to explain a question away, Santa is really at the North Pole working away, he can't be everywhere all of the time. You just hope they believe.
Then the television commercials begin reducing Santa to a pitchman. Santa drinks Coca-Cola (apparently Santa's workshop also has an exclusivity deal just like Fanshawe with the soft drink giant), he definitely shops at Canadian Tire, because where else can he “Give like Santa, but save like Scrooge” (never mind that Santa's workshop is supposed to churn out all the toys he needs without having to shop for them), and I'm sure this year Santa will switch his insurance to Geico so he can save 10 per cent. Ugh this is all too much.
The mystery of Santa is slowly dissolving, and we are all to blame. We are sending Santa to his death. Santa is becoming over exposed and the consequences will be grave. As a society we are slowly removing the layers and layers until the mystery of Santa will no longer exist. The continued commercialism and opportunistic capitalists who see dollar signs dancing before their eyes are all but choking the life out of Santa as we follow along like sheep. I know Santa isn't dead, but as in everything else in life, society is doing it's best to put an end to it all.
Ultimately what's wrong with wanting to believe in Santa and the spirit that he is supposed to be, not the cheap shill that he has become.
Want to ho ho ho all over John Said's opinion, email him at johntsaid@yahoo.ca
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
