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Images: Santa caught slacking?

We're all for Santa having a good time and making the rounds, as long as that means he still has enough fuel in his sleigh to hit our homes in the burbs this weekend. We decided to watch him all week to see if he's been naughty or nice. Here's where we found that Jolly Old Elf hanging out.

We thought Santa carried his presents in a bright red bag, not a roller bag. Maybe he checked all those gifts before hopping a plane at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix. (We also hope this doesn’t mean we’re all getting turquoise presents this year.) Arizona Republic
Seriously? There's no way to pretend Santa's conducting official Claus business in Fond du Lac, Wis. We suppose Fond du Lac is like vacationing south for him, but this just seems like slacking to us. The Reporter
Evidently, the fish weren’t friendly enough, so Santa stopped by an animal shelter in Shenandoah, Texas, to get a smooch from Rupert, a 7-month-old Dachshund. Rupert perhaps was going for a reindeer job. Conroe Courier
Then he jetted back to to Manitowoc, Wis., for some more puppy love. These dogs look less ambitious. Herald-Times Reporter
Then Santa was back to goofing off, this time skating at the Manitowoc, Wis., County Expo Center. You’d think he’d get enough of skating living at the North Pole. Herald-Times Reporter
Now Santa’s kicking it with some soldiers at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport ... St. Louis Post-Dispatch
... and inspecting some sailors after the attack submarine USS Dallas returned to Groton, Conn. Santa: We suggest small gifts. There’s not much room on those subs. The Day
Not sure why he’s talking to riot police during a protest in Bucharest, Romania. We bet that dachshund kiss looks good right about now. Did he have to cut down his beard? Associated Press
After he was done with the serious political stuff, he came to Chicago to catch the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field. That 38-14 score must have been the Seahawks’ gift. We suggest a lump of coal for next year. Associated Press
Next up: hockey. Here, he embarrasses himself by cheering for Minnesota, who lost against the New York Islanders. No clue on who his friend is? Maybe his brother, Freddy Clause. Associated Press
Shamed from the Minnesota loss, he high-tailed it to Hollywood to make a billion dollars in the movie “Arthur.” Maybe this means extra gifts for us all? Sony Pictures Animation
People get odd ideas in their head while in California. Santa tests out a new sleigh in Santa Rosa, Calif. Associated Press
Done with the Hollywood scene and feeling a little portly after he couldn't fit into his new car, Santa decided start working up an appetite by running a 5K in Indianapolis. Wait, which one is him? The Star
Or maybe it’s not a 5K. Maybe it’s the world’s biggest Follow the Leader game? Still looking for him ... The Star
Now in shape, he decided to hit the beaches in France and do a little protesting against fur. Right. Protesting. Against fur. On a beach. In Nice. Right ... (P.S.: Was this sanctioned by Mrs. Claus?) Associated Press
Maybe the fur protest was just a beach ruse, but it looks like Santa is taking the Occupy Wall Street protest seriously in New York. Associated Press
We seemed to go a little bananas at the White House during “Santarchy,” an annual holiday event when groups of people wear Santa suits and rove the city. Associated Press
Clearly the bananas weren’t the odd ones at the “Santarchy” in D.C. Associated Press
Back in serious mode, Santa takes to the streets in the Philippines with a horn to protest the use of firecrackers to celebrate Christmas. Really curly hair here. Humidity? Associated Press
We did manage to find him hanging with kids a little bit. Here, he takes a dip at the Creta Aquarium on the Greek island of Crete. This will totally make his hair curly. Associated Press
Then he dives into the Oceanworld Manly aquarium in Sydney, Australia, to feed a gray nurse shark. (Hey, has anyone seen Rudolph?) Associated Press
Be careful, Santa, if Shedd invites you to "sleep with the fishes." It means something different here in Chicago than it does at the Manila Ocean Park in Manila, Philippines. Associated Press
After he tired of the fish, Santa swung by the Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, Fla., to see the chimps. Associated Press
Finally, he makes a kid cry. This is the Santa we know and love. Not the odd guy hanging with sharks and bananas. Enid News & Eagle/Oklahoma
We heard you could find him riding the CTA Holiday train on the red line, handing out candy canes with his elves. But we were unable to verify any reports of sightings. We hope he stops all this nonsense and gets back to his sleigh soon. He does know the red line doesn’t come out to the suburbs, right? Associated Press
And he was seen yukking it up for fans in India. Associated Press
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