Santa With A Gun Is Not A New Concept

A poster from the Office for Emergency Management, War Production Board, circa. 1942 - See more at: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/a-pictorial-history-of-santa-claus/#sthash.9ijoo2j6.dpuf

This week I saw a news report about a billboard out west somewhere featuring Santa hold an assault rifle.  The business which sponsored the ad said it was a positive image as Santa didn't have his finger on the trigger.  Give me a break.  Why can't people leave somethings alone and let us have a moments rest from all the violence in the world.

This morning I was looking for an image to feature here for the week and found a sight that has an interesting history of how Santa Clause has "evolved".  The images are in the public domain and there I found the one I've posted here.  It reads, "In the U.S. Second World War poster below Santa takes a radical departure from the jolly red suit and dons the dour shades of war. - See more at: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/a-pictorial-history-of-santa-claus/#sthash.9ijoo2j6.dpuf".  I guess the billboard wasn't so unique after all.

Thomas Nast’s most famous drawing, “Merry Old Santa Claus”, from the January 1, 1881 edition of Harper’s Weekly. - See more at: http://publicdomainreview.org/collections/a-pictorial-history-of-santa-claus/#sthash.9ijoo2j6.dpuf

I'd like to say that I find the idea of an "armed" santa offensive.  I prefer the idea of the jolly ole elf puffing his pipe (with tobacco) giving toys to good little boys and girls not being used for propaganda of a government agency or a commercial business.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying a fair tale even if for a little while.

Merry Christmas to you all and my all your holiday dreams come true.

Seven Days of Santa

This European style Santa is looking rather weary and I'm a little concerned

 about that bundle of sticks he's carrying.....

As many of you know, I worked as a designer for several textile companies and all made jacquard woven home interior products.  A large part of the product lines were devoted to gift items and of course Christmas was the biggest part of this segment.

We worked on products for Christmas 12 months of the year in one of those companies.  Santas, elves, reindeer, gift boxes etc. and then manger scenes.....endless manger scenes.  Each design had a production number for in-house tracking but we also had to give each design a name.  Imagine creating 25 manger scenes and coming up with 25 unique titles.  Sorry....Manger 1-25 won't work.

One late Friday afternoon we were finishing up and one of the designers was trying to give a name to her most current manger design.  She finally announced she had finished and send the file over to me.  She had managed to give her work a most memorable title ....Manger Boy.  Very cool indeed.  We laughed and laughed and decided to send it on up the line knowing it would never fly.  It was of course kicked back for a new title but I hope it gave a few other people a laugh too.

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Thank you for Spending time at Studio 24-7

and

Merry Christmas!

I will be posting a new santas for the next week each

with a short little story or memory.

I love hearing from you and I appreciate all of your

support and wonderful comments.