Click the image to see a larger version.

You can't forget the pets at Christmas. They probably don't have much idea of what's going on, but it's nice to involve them in the celebrations anyway. I think the cat I had growing up just knew it as "the time of year when there's a tree growing inside the house for some reason." Also "the day when they give me the extra special cat food that comes in the tiny can." I remember all he had to do was see that tiny can and he got excited. I don't really know what the difference is between the normal kind and that kind, but judging by his reaction the food in the tiny can was the really good stuff.

Click the image to see a larger version.

Parents buy certain presents for their kids, and other presents for their kids and themselves. Sometimes "I'll help you get it set up" actually means "I get to play with it first." The important part, though, is to not fight over the toys with your kids, because then you give away the secret that not only did you actually buy it for yourself, but you are actually still a kid.

Click the images to see a larger version.

Gordo was a groundbreaking comic strip created by Gus Arriola, which started in 1941. Arriola got his start as an animator at Screen Gems and MGM, and during his time at MGM he began developing a comic strip. He had been a huge fan of the Sunday comics growing up, especially Krazy Kat, and had even been able to work on the Krazy Kat animated shorts while he was at Screen Gems. He used his Mexican heritage as an inspiration for the strip, but in trying to give it a wide appeal, he used quite a few degrading and offensive Mexican stereotypes. This was pointed out by critics of the strip, and it caused Arriola to take it in a new direction. Gordo, the titular character, was originally a bean farmer, but lost the farm and had to get a job as a tour guide. Arriola used Gordo's new profession not only to take characters in the strip on tours of Mexico, but to take the readers on those tours as well. Instead of making fun of Mexican culture as it ha…

Click the image to see a larger version.

If we are to take the stories of Santa and his reindeer at face value, then I imagine this would happen quite often. So often, in fact, that it would probably be quite a professional hazard for Santa on Christmas Eve. I also would assume there would be far more stories around the world about mysterious holes in the ceiling appearing overnight. I think it's more likely, then, that the sleigh doesn't actually land on the roof, but that the reindeer just hover slightly above the roof and Santa jumps down through the chimney. This would help him to avoid roof damage, as well as save the time it would have taken to land and take off.

Click the image to see a larger version.

This is just a reminder to please be safe during the holiday. Make the holiday about peace and goodwill and don't let Walt Kelly's cynicism be borne out.