Santa Claus

  • The truth behind the Christmas monster, Krampus

    In every legend, there’s an element of truth. So what is the truth behind the anti-Santa, Krampus? For the uninitiated, Krampus is the half-demon, half-goat companion of St Nicholas whose name derives from the German word Krampen, meaning ‘claw’. He bears horns, fur, fangs and a long tongue, and he carries chains, bells and a Read more

  • The Santanic Conspiracy — Is St Nick an Illuminati ploy to make us buy, buy, buy?

    “He sees you when you’re sleeping. He knows when you’re awake.” Is there more to these lyrics than any of us ever realised? There are people out there who believe that Santa Claus was invented by the Illuminati to distract us from the true meaning of Christmas and bolster corporations by getting us to spend Read more

  • Santa Claus crucified by a Japanese department store

    Some years back, a Japanese department store — keen to adopt the Western tradition of Christmas — mounted an extravagant display in its window: a smiling Santa nailed to a crucifix. I think somebody got a bit confused… The store’s booboo made Christians rather cross. Cross—get it? Sorry, bad joke. The cultural faux pas is Read more

  • Santa Claus’s body is leaking mystery bone juice

    Forget stockings and presents and candy canes this Christmas. What about a bottle of bone discharge from the body of the “right jolly old elf” himself? The miracle of manna, it’s called. Manna is the name of the sweet-smelling liquid supposedly coming out of the bones of Saint Nicholas, the gift-giving, 4th-century Greek bishop on Read more

  • 5 More Christmas Conspiracies and Urban Legends – Band Aid, Magic Mushrooms and the Jesus Lie

    In the first part of my festive collection of conspiracy theories and urban legends, I looked at some sinister Santa secrets, an X Factor conspiracy against Christmas songs and mince pies made from human flesh. Part 2 looks at five more hidden ‘truths’ behind the curtain of fairy lights… 1. Jesus wasn’t born on Christmas Read more

  • 5 Christmas Conspiracies and Urban Legends – X Factor, Santa and mince pies made from human flesh

    ’Tis the season. But like all things good and jolly, Christmas has its share of secrets lurking beneath the tinsel. In the first of a two-part article, I’m looking at some festive urban legends and conspiracy theories… 1. Santa Claus is actually Satan Claim – Santa is actually Satan in disguise. The big giveaways are: Santa Read more