What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

According to mythology the source for the classic image of Father Christmas/Santa Claus lies in the red mushrooms with white speckles on them.

Santa-The-Magic Mushroom - YouTube;)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

i thought it was coca cola that made him red n white n traditionally he was green?

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Probably not...

snopes.com: Did Coca-Cola Invent the Modern Image of Santa Claus?

though here's another theory which I hadn't come across before

BBC NEWS | Magazine | Did Coke really turn Santa red and white?

Actually I like the mushroom theory as it accounts for the flying reindeer.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

According to restless-ology this is a duffer thread and/or do really need another argument about drug hinting threads..I thought by now you would try to avoid it; not create it.

OK long day... rant over

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Oh dear Rob time for an early night I think. And I thought it would be quite an interesting discussion - there is a lot to be said for the theory.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Yep. Im gonna lay down, have a few beers and catch up on bones...

Not being harsh. Just being realistic.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I know, you didn't want it to deteriorate into a slanging match - neither do I.

Night night, sleep well.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

You should lengthen your day and shorten your rant by about 30 words.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

"What you didn't know about Father Christmas"

He's not real ....;)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

He's your daddy!

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Yeh rotten sod, yeh just ruined me christmas.:eek:

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Really:eek::D He's having a parade in Kingston this Saturday;)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Never did trust that Santa bloke. I remember when I was about five, lying in bed on xmas eve thinking 'Hang on a minute how the chuff can this poor dude get around EVERY house in the world, (I didn't know about third world debt and stuff back then) , in one night!Nah sorry Mummy and Daddy, not buying it!Plus you leave the price on everything! :D

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

the joy of father christmas, is getting to be him, watching th kiddies face on christmas morning
me n the missus used to save all of the wrapping till christmas eve, wait till they were all 4 asleep, then bring it all out the loft ( if you hear any noises on the roof thats him) but the hasnt been till there is one on end of yer bed

most times we would have some friends round and a have a wrapping party, few drinks, get to bed about 4 to be woken about 5:30 by excited kids wanting stuff building n putting together

last year i thought it would be the last time of getting em all together in one place on christmas for a while ages then 25,22,20,15

god i was bored!!!!!!!!!!

and all they did all day was take it in turns to "bitch" with each other, in a sort of nice way

bring on the grandkids (not!!!!!!!!!!), think i can last a few more years before i start again lol

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

You didn't factor in, the fact that Santa has magic on his side....no theory for the price being left on :D

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

thats just the temp elves staff, who only get shipped in for the christmas rush, and dont care about the job cos they arent there after the season ends!

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

and here is the scientific answer for you sugarmouse.

Just how does Santa get round Earth in one night? By exploiting the space-time continuum | Mail Online

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

It ain't really all that hard to believe in Santa (or "Satan" if you are dyslexic;)) when you consider all the odd-ball things that millions of humans believe in ... the Triune god for example: good cop, bad cop, and a ghost all rolled into one ... mmm, what are those christians smoking? And where can I get me some? And the Earth created in seven days! No wonder it's such a screwed up place; it was a goddam rush job ... jerry built. And how about, "hey, all I have to do is strap a bunch of explosives to myself, set them off as I sit down on the bus, and I will get how many virgins?" Just as weird as believing in Santa, and a hell of a lot more dangerous. And zombies. And Sasquatches. Hey, we almost had a moron ... oops "mormon" ... as President of the US:eek: Personally, I would prefer one who believed in Santa ... one who would be a lot less likely to say: "What would happen if I turned this key and pushed this red button?":rolleyes: The Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are ok ... and quite harmless. Gotta go. I have aliens at my front door disguised as JWs.:)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

[QUOTE=Eric;1028164And the Earth created in seven days! No wonder it's such a screwed up place; it was a goddam rush job ... jerry built. [/QUOTE]

Whoa, hang on, the place was built to a price, it was done to God's specifications, we, the contractors didn't have any say in the matter, just a quick sigh as you looked at the way everything was being pieced together was enough to have you moved to an everlasting hell...

Ve vere only carrying out orders!

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

So that's the explanation for St James's church wall!

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I didn't mean that kind of jerry ... and if sighing got folks sent to an everalsting hell, Yorkshire would be bulging at the seams;)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Hmm, I think by the age of five I was a bit too jaded to believe in magic! But you're right! :D
I am in total agreement! I had a debate about this with one woman recently who was all against bringing her kids up to be any religion but insisted they still believe in Santa and the Tooth Fairy.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

How can one so young be so cynical.......you hadn't had nearly enough life experience to cause such cynicism.:D.

I still believe in magic.(but I have to take my regular anti cynicicsm pills):D

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

The Tooth Fairy is more believable than creationism.

How can people follow this crap? watching a film I just recently I learned that, If your baby dies and it hasn't been baptised; it will go to hell. Is their no bottom to how evil these morons are?

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

my mum was catholic, and we had rows over this, as i wouldnt get any of mine done, i refused to label them as any religion, and would rather bring them up with a knowledge of all religions and when they were old enough they could make up their own mind, now they are grown up, not one of them has decided to have it done

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Well reindeer eat these mushrooms then the shamans used to drink the reindeer wee that had the chemical from the mushrooms in metabolised into more safer compound for human consumption. The shamans then hallucinated the reindeer flying - also the shamans used to take gifts to people around the winter equinox - which is Christmas time. So it all fits in embelished with other bits and bobs; like St Nicolas giving gifts to poor children etc etc. ;):):)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

It didn't say that in the link! :) It said something about the time-space continuum...and that time and space are elastic.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I think the eating of magic mushrooms was around long before anyone postulated the space-time continuum.

Apparently a scientist has worked out that reindeer, just like us, get bored in the long winter nights and eat the fungi for amusement - how he worked that one out I really don't know...

Reindeer, Other Animals Get High On Magic Mushrooms, Scientist Claims


PS Just a little correction, Kes - it's winter solstice, not equinox...

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Well the Jesus walking on water "miracle" proven as fake bullpoop by fantastic magician dynamo...

Dynamo walking on water HQ - YouTube

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Yes, it probably was....but it existed before the scientists postulated it.......:D We just didn't know it existed.

As for the scientist expostulating about bored reindeer.......I think that was just some kind of projected justification(JMO)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

My favourite depiction of Father Christmas is the comic book of that name by Raymond Briggs, from the 1970s, where he is depicted as rather grumpy and not at all pleased at having to go out and do his job, just like most people. I'd like to think of him having a drink of reindeer urine just to keep him going on his rounds.

Sadly out of print I think and my copy has been read over and over - I love that book. There are some pages from it illustrated in this article:

Every Day Is Like Wednesday: Some of Raymond Briggs' children's books, which are actually comics

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Mmmmm schrooms:D And in British California they grow wild ... and they are LEGAL:alright: O Canada, my home on native land:dancedog:

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I love eating mushrooms.

fried in bacon fat; with my breakfast!

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

At the age of 6, when they tried to make us accept this at Junior school I decided that it was all untrue and a load of rubbish. The other thing was that we were all born stained by original sin which seemed terribly unfair as well. The babies, however, didn't even get to go to hell -which to some people sounds like it might be quite fun;) -they got sent to Limbo - a sort of no-man's-land where nothing ever happens. Tortured by boredom to eternity -that really sounds hellish!:rolleyes:
I wonder if Father Christmas makes it to Limbo as he travels round in his space-time continuum handing out pressies for all...he forgot me last year by the way (just in case he's reading this:D)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Dianne...maybe he didn't 'forget' you....maybe you had been too naughty even for a sack of cinders :D.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I think Santa is a little too rotund for limbo ... but it doesn't look like much of a "no-man's-land". In fact, looks like a lot of fun;) Not at all boring.

David Hasselhoff - Limbo Dance - YouTube

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I was a bit like this, going to a very strict C of E junior school, I was listening to an assembley speech regards God, and they said something like 'We worry that because we are so small and insignificant, we worry that god won't care about us. Well, the truth is not a single bird falls without god knowing about it. If he cares so much for little birds, how much more must he care for people!'
And I thought, what a load of absolute tosh. For a start, I was very overweight and certainly didn't think of myself as 'small'. And also, why did size run relative to how much care is deserved?!'
It was then I decided school talked tosh. Lol :)
I was seven at the time I think.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I'll have you know I'm a paragon of virtuehttps://s-static.ak.facebook.com/rsr...rP8vlvSl_8.gifhttps://s-static.ak.facebook.com/rsr...rP8vlvSl_8.gif:angel:

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Well, you should get something then...it is only the bad girls and boys who don't get nice gifts.:D
(if it is any consolation...I don't get anything either)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I'd rather that than lots of tat just for the sake of it. I'd prefer folks to save their money and spend it on something they want for themselves.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Not a bad idea ... I think I'll buy a tree I can smoke:alright:

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Well, the tat....has been bought with love and thoughts of you(even if it doesn't meet with your taste)......and it beats getting nothing.
You can always donate stuff you consider 'tat' to the charity shops.
I can't say that I give gifts 'just for the sake of it'....I usually shop for people who are important in my life...and I buy what I think they might like and enjoy....I always tell them that if they do not like what I have chosen they are free to give the gift on.....donate it...whatever pleases them.
I have in the past made gifts. Home made fudge, florentines, Christmas cakes, peanut or almond brittle. Peppermint creams and that sort of thing.
It is just to show that they are thought of...with love.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Put me down for the fudge and the peppermint creams:)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

would that be rum and raisin fudge...and dark or Milk chocolate coated Eric ?

Alas, I don't make these things anymore...everyone, it seems, is watching their waistline.
Not least of these is himself..who was my number one taster! :)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I also had a phase of making presents like that Margaret ginger bicuits were very popular over here as they don't have them. I made them as stars and iced some of them. I also make lovely chocolate truffles but like you say these days everyone is on a diet. My boys have stopped helping me do baking now too as they are a bit too old to think it's fun these days. I do like thinking up nice presents for people - but not all people are good recipients. Luckily I have one friend who really appreciates the thought I put into my gifts. For most of the rest I don't bother these days which is sad as I do like to give presents. My sons always seem to appreciate money these days as do most youngsters. I think they'd appreciate something like an I-pad but I can't afford such expensive things.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

This is an email I have just received from a company I bought some cushion covers from a few months ago

Here at xxxx, we can't wait for Christmas! We're definitely getting into the festive spirit, and we're sure your kids are too!

If you're desperately looking for a truly unique gift or fun stocking fillers for your little ones, check out our range of kids' gifts. From magnificent sawdust dragons to fun purses and pencils, we're sure you'll find something that your children will be thrilled to find on Christmas morning.

As Christmas is the season for giving (who says?), we've decided to give a little something back to our customers. Until the 31st December, every order over £20 will recieve a free packet of incense sticks or cones, as well as a holder in which to burn them. All you have to do is order as normal and your free gift will be automatically added to your order if you've spent over £20.

After all, we know just how stressful Christmas shopping can be (companies like yours only add to it), so whether you give your incense as a gift or use it to chill out after a long day wrapping presents (don't bother), we're sure that our free gift will help put a smile on someone's face! (I can do that in lots of other ways)

This is the sort of thing that really turns me off Christmas, the constant exhortation to buy buy buy and eat and drink our selves silly. I don't need to give a present to show love and why we should give presents just because it's Christmas escapes me. I'm an atheist so perhaps that has something to do with it.

Twenty years ago we stopped giving presents as we were very hard up, and it was a relief. Nobody complained and there still one or two who give us gifts despite our protests. A phrase that really strikes despair into my heart is "Are you ready for/looking forward to Christmas?" Nooooooooooo! Christmas is a day not a season and on the 26th we'll all be at the sales!!

OK so I'm a hardhearted curmudgeonly old bird but that's my inborn cynicism coming to the fore. So be it.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I stopped sending christmas cards in 1964.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

That's the one thing I still do, not necessarily because it's Christmas, but it's a good way of keeping in touch with friends.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

No you aren't any of those things...you just are not a fan of the commercialised thing.
I have to admit that I do not like Christmas either. But you don't have to buy into the commercial thing if you don't want to.....and as for being atheist...does that matter much? After all wasn't christmas tacked onto one of the heathen festivals by christians in the hope that they would celebrate it and perhaps convert.

Yes you can give gifts to those you love at any time...but many people don't...but will make an effort at Christmas.

We don't buy in loads of food...we just have a normal Sunday Roast.......sometimes I will do pud as well, but many times in the recent past we haven't bothered.
We don't party or have lots of alcohol........it is just one extra roast dinner in the week.Christmas is for children.
If you haven't any children, or yours are grown up, then much of the magic disappears.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Amen to that.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I have always been a fan of Christmas as I have such good childhood memories of it - not so much the presents but us all getting together for family parties and meals.

This year I'll be away from home and having Christmas in the sun for the first time which will be quite novel. I'll be at my parents in Tenerife as their Golden Wedding Anniversary is on Boxing day. My sister and her family are coming from NZ -it will be the first Xmas we've spent together as a family in about 20 years. We've already said that no presents will be exchanged -not practical with travelling and a lot of money has been spent already in air tickets. It will be a special time -Christmas or not, no expectations so nothing can spoil it (Except my other half moaning already about being left on his own for Christmas -but it was his choice not to come!) just being all together will be the best present of all. :)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Hi Sue - glad to see you are back! :) Well it's obvious isn't it really that when we were hunter gatherers we probably worshipped magic mushrooms of all kinds. We probably went round eating things and the question is "How did early humans know things where poisonous?" Surely the answer is that someone had to try them and die from them - or go on a massive hallucinogenic trip (depending on the type taken), in which they probably saw GODS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jHah...eature=related
PS yeh I noticed I should have said solstice not equinox just after I posted it! ;)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

I think I'm pretty much the same. I TRY to put a lot of thought (not necessarily a lot of MONEY!) into gifts. For my family I do really think about what they will like-prompted by their guidance. My family are so weird though. I always call my sister and ask what to get for her, my bro-in-law, and my niece and nephew and she's very good, tends to not tell me exactly what they all want, more so what they all favour at the moment and I usually get it right and they're grateful.
My father HATES!That I do this-he says it's very rude to ask people what they want. However, he quite often buys gifts for me that are totally unsuitable, which I always accept with a lot of grace and 'Thank Yous' because I am grateful for the gesture. E.g he knows I don't eat animal products, he knows that well as he jibes at me for it-yet he buys me food products that I won't eat, and cut flowers (which I see as a waste of money and resources) and other items I have no use for (e.g an earring case, a beautiful one I must add, but I do not have my ears pierced and never have had!).
However when I have got it wrong and bought a gift he does not appreciate, he makes a show of me for it !
I bought a bonsai tree a few years ago for him , and he put his sarcastic head on 'Oh I'm RIGHT into that!!' :rolleyes: in front of everybody I thought it was cute.
I also made gifts one year-I'm no craftsman, but I took care and made home-made chocolates in little boxes that I'd decorated, along with some candle-holders and some other things. Everybody found this hilarious and asked if I was particularly broke this year. Then the chocolates were polished off WAY before dinner.

If I receive 'Tat' I reuse it, make use of it some other way, or pass it along to those who will want to use it. :) One man's junk is another's treasure.
I think we're in an era where, if people want something-they generally go and get it. Gifts are harder to find because of this. Unless you spend a lot of money or go out of your way bigtime, it's difficult. I start shopping for gifts early and try to find unusual things. USUALLY I manage to.:)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

The Roman Catholic Church destroyed a lot of ancient knowledge so we will never fully know a lot of ancient practices. One book that contained information then once burned was completely lost. They have brainwashed people to believe in their in doctrination.

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Yippee, if I followed that idea, no xmas cards going out, no gifts for the kids or grandkids, I could afford a £2 hooker.
:(

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You would be able to keep the £2 Less...today, there are a lot of enthusiastic amateurs about :D

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

That sounds like an offer I can't refuse, when can we meet?
:eek:

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Less...I'm not one of those enthusiastic amateurs.......and you can't afford me.
I wouldn't take off my gloves for £2 :D:D:D

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Gloves eh? How refined - just shows the standard!

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Yes Sue...they are elbow length, kid leather, with real pearl buttons at the wrist.

So he definitely can't afford me!

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Mind you it would depend what else you were wearing - if anything!

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Margaret, I've just got to know!
How much would persuade you to take your gloves off? Just the thought of those real pearl buttons!
Don't forget we are talking Christmas spirit!

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Wise move, as to gloves surely you mean industrial heavy duty leather gauntlets ? ;)

Re: What you didn't know about Father Christmas.
 

Now how long have industrial gloves been made out of kid leather son?
And pearl buttons??
No!
Gordon...I'm not sure how much it would take......to make me take my gloves off.
I suppose the price would depend on who was doing the asking.:D

Sue, it would have to be something slinky......with coffee coloured lace...perhaps an 'off the shoulder' model.

Definitely NOT industrial gloves!!!!!