My leter to Santa.
Dear Santa,
I think you’re awesome. And not only because you’re the mythical representation of gift-giving and good will, but also because you’re a jolly, fat old man with a kindly, fat old wife. As a fat woman I don’t get to see many representations of myself, and certainly not many that are portrayed in such a congenial way, so I forgive the rampant commercialization of your image.
It’s true that the version of you and Mrs. Claus that I know is very American and only became known around the late 1800s but that’s the price of being a celebrity in America: you can only avoid the paparazzi for so long.
I know some people don’t like being seen as fat and happy, but when I think of the stereotypes I have to choose from, those aren’t so bad. I like your jolly red cheeks and belly like a bowl full of jelly. I see pictures of you and I just want to give you a hug.
Sometimes I still get presents that say from Santa, although I see less of your name every year. But I still feel affectionate toward the idea of you and I hope you are around for years to come to make other children feel hope and love during the holiday season.
So, thank you Santa for showing me a version of old and fat that doesn’t seem so terrible. And tell Mrs. Claus I can only hope that once I have gray hair, I look as good as she does.
Yours truly,
Elizebeth (still young at heart)
Wonderful post! Merry Christmas!
Good stuff.
I love the image of Santa and his wife too!
And yet, just last year ‘health experts’ were foaming at the mouth over mall Santas being too fat. Sorry, but Santa and his wife are supposed to be fat. Deal with it!
And Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!
Better fat and happy than skinny and miserable. Not that all skinny people are miserable-there really are skinny people who can eat whatever they want, they just have very fast metabolisms. But there are also skinny people who are skinny due to deprivation, and they are self-righteous and horrible to be in the company of. No thanks-I’ll take fat and jolly any time!
Happy holidays, folks.
You know what some kids do when they see a less-than-jolly-and-fat Santa? Either cry (small kids) because they think Santa is sick, or think he’s a fake (slightly older kids, because Santa’s supposed to have a belly). So happened with my nieces and nephews on a trip to the mall yesterday.
I just told them they were his elves in disguise because Santa sent them out to help him while he’s checking his sleigh and getting the last of the presents ready and eating Mrs. Clause’s delicious dinner.
Instant smiles.
Elves can be thin. Santa cannot.
Oh, it’s too early in the morning for me to be able to think clearly: MERRY CHRISTMAS! Or HAPPY HOLIDAY of your choice!
(pick one)
Sweet post. I love Santa and Mrs. Claus fat and jolly too. It’s ridiculous to try and change him because he’s a poor “role model.” Really? Because I figured that an old man living with a factory full of child-like “friends” might be the more disturbing influence.
Merry Christmas!
Peace,
Shannon