It’s tough enough allowing kids to maintain their belief in Santa Claus these days. Between media over commercialization of the holiday and more and more PC cynics demanding that everyone be told the truth NO MATTER WHAT and the nudge nudge wink wink news programs that undercut children’s convictions, parents find themselves fighting a losing, though valiant, battle to keep innocence alive.
Add in the fact that the underlying reason for the holiday is pressed further and further into the background every year and you can understand why some folks just give up, hand out a couple of gift cards and call it a day.
So, when stories like today’s pop up, they only serve to further erode the season. After all how do you explain to your little angels that Santa carries a gun and robs bars? Associated Press reports that that’s exactly what you face today.
Call it a ho-ho-holdup.
Police say a man dressed as Santa Claus has robbed a Rhode Island yacht club.
Authorities say a bartender was alone in the East Providence Yacht Club Sunday night when a large man wearing a red suit, red hat, white beard and carrying a sack walked into the bar and brandished a gun.
The bartender fled and ran to a nearby business where she called 911.
By the time police arrived, the Santa bandit – as well as an undetermined amount of cash from the register – was missing.
Co-owner Tony Perry tells WLNE-TV he’s just glad no one was hurt.
There were no immediate arrests.
No, don’t call it a ho-ho-hold up. Please. I beg you.
However not even I would be so callous as to leave you with that story as your holiday missive. So, instead, let’s find a happy thought.
Associated Press reports that Santa stopped by a mall in Costa Mesa to make a young lady’s life.
Santa has conspired with a love-struck California man by lending a knee for a surprise marriage proposal.
Jenny Hoang took a friend’s boys to see Santa at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa on Sunday, and she was helping the kids off Santa’s lap when Old St. Nick waved her back. Santa told the 27-year-old she’s been very good and there’s a special gift for her.
Her boyfriend of nine years, Jonathan Nguyen, suddenly emerged, got down on a knee and proposed.
She said yes, then slid off Santa’s lap and kneeled down so Jonathan could slip a ring on her finger.
The groom-to-be, who is also 27, told the Orange County Register he secretly enlisted the help of the shopping mall and Santa to pull off the surprise.
There you have it kids, Santa’s not so bad after all. He’s given Ms. Hoang a gift she’ll remember forever. Even better than a Snuggie.
You may be too young to understand why it’s better than a Snuggie, but I hope you’ll just trust me on this one and enjoy the Holiday.