Oh my God, I can’t believe how awesome this is! That Santa is my Grandpa Bob. He was a doctor in Arkansas and I think this picture was probably taken at Delta County Hospital, where he would play Santa for the holidays.
Hey Nick – I had to take multiple looks at this because I, too, think it’s my dad, Tom, who dressed as Santa for the annual Optimist Club Christmas Parties in San Diego for under-priviledged children back in the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s. IF it is him the only reason I could imagine that he looks tired/grumpy is because the camera caught him in an instant fraction of a second moment taking a breath between children. He loved doing it, always played a very jolly Santa and the kids loved him. The little girl’s body probably tugged the beard as she moved around on his lap and the camera caught that (in that instant moment). I think it looks so much like my dad that I’m going to print the picture and show it to brothers and sisters (even older grandchildren) who might remember the parties better than I and see what they say. I wish the poster of the picture would’ve captioned it, which would’ve laid all our “I think” to rest! Also, very ironic that I’m posting this one year to the date of your post!!
Wow…I stared and stared at this, trying to figure out what could be considered awkward about it. Finally figured it out, but it’s only awkward for me & my siblings, because that looks exactly like–but could not possibly be–my dad, and the commentors are suggesting that the guy looks crabby and drunk. So I guess what’s awkward for me is how un-awkward I found it to be…or how “normal” he looks.
Don’t feel too bad. My husband said, “Check out awkward family photos! There’s a guy in a Santa suit who looks just like your dad!” While I can admit sometimes my dear old dad can look a little on the crabby side, he’s never looked drunk. (And to my recollection he has never worn a Santa suit.) But yeah… if I tilt my head and squint my eyes… kinda looks like my Dad too.
Or they could be little Gremlin factories. Santa gave her a Gremlin, she took him home, spilled a glass of water on him got him wet, other little Gremlins popped off of him… and the rest is history .
Looks like the kid maybe caught the beard when she sat on Santa, and he didn’t have a chance to put it back in place without her seeing the fake-itude of the thing.
The camera captured the exact instant when he was in the depths of wondering how his life had gotten him to that place, that very lonely place of the department store Santa. He could’ve been somebody! He could’ve been a contender!
***Any comments that are offensive to the point of being viciously personal, racist, homophobic, exceedingly profane, violent or too graphic in nature won't be posted. We want to keep this site a friendly place to be awkward. Thanks!***
afp
“Aw, it’s cold! A man’s gotta do somethin’ to keep warm!”
“Miracle on 34th Street”, anyone?
Hahaha this must’ve been Child No. 374…
Oh my God, I can’t believe how awesome this is! That Santa is my Grandpa Bob. He was a doctor in Arkansas and I think this picture was probably taken at Delta County Hospital, where he would play Santa for the holidays.
Hey Nick – I had to take multiple looks at this because I, too, think it’s my dad, Tom, who dressed as Santa for the annual Optimist Club Christmas Parties in San Diego for under-priviledged children back in the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s. IF it is him the only reason I could imagine that he looks tired/grumpy is because the camera caught him in an instant fraction of a second moment taking a breath between children. He loved doing it, always played a very jolly Santa and the kids loved him. The little girl’s body probably tugged the beard as she moved around on his lap and the camera caught that (in that instant moment). I think it looks so much like my dad that I’m going to print the picture and show it to brothers and sisters (even older grandchildren) who might remember the parties better than I and see what they say. I wish the poster of the picture would’ve captioned it, which would’ve laid all our “I think” to rest! Also, very ironic that I’m posting this one year to the date of your post!!
This is what you get when you arrive at the mall five minutes before closing.
Reminds me of Dan Akroyd when he was the Santa in ‘Trading Places’! Aaaaagh!
I can smell it now…the combination of whiskey-breath and a sweaty santa suit! EEWWW
Soused Santa!!!
Wow…I stared and stared at this, trying to figure out what could be considered awkward about it. Finally figured it out, but it’s only awkward for me & my siblings, because that looks exactly like–but could not possibly be–my dad, and the commentors are suggesting that the guy looks crabby and drunk. So I guess what’s awkward for me is how un-awkward I found it to be…or how “normal” he looks.
Don’t feel too bad. My husband said, “Check out awkward family photos! There’s a guy in a Santa suit who looks just like your dad!” While I can admit sometimes my dear old dad can look a little on the crabby side, he’s never looked drunk. (And to my recollection he has never worn a Santa suit.) But yeah… if I tilt my head and squint my eyes… kinda looks like my Dad too.
What’s even more amazing is that the girl’s mother actually let her get up on bad Santa’s lap!
Voyeur!!!
I thought Santa wore spectacles, not Coke bottles…
…and why does the kid have on Grandma’s glasses from 1985?
Try 1980 buddy!
Maybe it was full of snot because he caught a cold from all the kids coughing and sneezing on him. They are the cutest little grem factories.
I meant germ-oops!
Or they could be little Gremlin factories. Santa gave her a Gremlin, she took him home, spilled a glass of water on him got him wet, other little Gremlins popped off of him… and the rest is history .
movie history I should say
I wonder if this is before background checks.
The chair is in character.
He’s just ticked because he couldn’t get his h1n1 shot before starting this gig.
HA!!!!
And is that a ghost hovering over his right shoulder?
Looks like the kid maybe caught the beard when she sat on Santa, and he didn’t have a chance to put it back in place without her seeing the fake-itude of the thing.
thats what i was thinking!
He’s playing a drinking game – every time a kid asks for a Cabbage Patch Kid, take a drink.
I like the dingy beard, nice!
Somebody dipped into the eggnog a bit early…
Santa looks like Jerry Springer.
Maybe the beard is like a bad-fitting swimsuit at the beach. He doesn’t know he’s popped out of costume. Ho Ho Ho!
The camera captured the exact instant when he was in the depths of wondering how his life had gotten him to that place, that very lonely place of the department store Santa. He could’ve been somebody! He could’ve been a contender!
I didn’t know the movie was based on a true story.
LOL I was gonna say the exact same thing!
“Whaddya want kid?”
a BB Gun!
Are you CRAZY?! YOU’LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT!!
you’ll shoot your eye out kid…
It looks like somebody’s been naughty!
Poor guy. It’s been a long day.
Note to Santa: The moustache goes OVER your lip! (And you might want to wait til after your shift to start drinking)
I think that if I was an in-store Santa, I would drink before my shift too…and during my shift….after my shift…..you get the point
ITs so cute how the little girl is so happy regardless of what grumpy old santa is doing. He could have at least pulled up his mustache for the pic
bet he smells of egg-nog or at least the nog
Mom, why does Santa smell like Gin?
LMBO!!! Too funny!!!
mom to girl – dont be silly hun it’s only 9am
How do you know what gin smells like?
^^^^
Hahahhahahahahahaha.
Wait. Yeah how does she know?!
check out his mustache/beard thingy, you think she noticed?
Maybe she pulled his beard down and is now gloating?
I am DYING laughing!!
Santa looks like he has made some baaaad decisions.
YES!!!!! That, and it looks like the little girl has an evil, sinister grin on her face lol