This past Saturday, I took one of my daughters and two grandsons to meet my son in New York City. We were going to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas Tree, the Lego store to spend money and then have dinner. It’s about an hour and a half on the train from here (faster driving but a pain in the neck to drive in NYC and the kids think the train is really cool).
Rockefeller Center 2016
We live pretty far north on the Metro North railroad line into Manhattan. Usually, when we get on the train, there are a kazillion seats to choose from. This year, as we approached the station, I thought OMG it’s SantaCon. Waiting for the train, there were about 10 people dressed as Santa carrying 6-packs of beer, and with a lot of beer already consumed.
It was hard to find seats on the train and we had to sit separately with my daughter and me each taking a grandson. Standing room only surrounded by holiday shoppers and partying Santas.
My husband texted me from a nearby deli….”FYI there are 4 Santas in here buying beer.” Mind you, it was before 10am.
And it was a mob scene of Santas at Grand Central Station.
If you aren’t aware of, or don’t have this event where you live, here’s an article from the New York Post (known for its salacious view of events) on 12/10/2016. Basically, it’s a day when a ton of 20-somethings don Santa and Elf garb and flood NYC for a day and night of pub crawling and drinking in the streets. I guess it’s a lot of fun if you’re that age. Not so much if you’re in the City with your family.
http://nypost.com/2016/12/10/santacon-protesters-and-revelers-clash-during-bar-crawl/
As a resident of NYC, my son easily navigated us away from the revelers, who are obviously not in the City to see the tree or go to the Lego store.
A couple of years ago, my husband and I were in the city for the day on SantaCon and I thought the tourists who are seeing New York for the first time will think we are all insane. On the train home, we were happy to have only one Santa-clad couple in our train car. They were drunk, but there was hope that they would fall asleep. But, of course not. They had a fight and the girl was crying and the boyfriend was yelling to her as he walked up and down the aisle. My husband and I were rolling our eyes, hoping they would run out of steam. It took the arrival of two train conductors to have the guy sheepishly sit down again. Where he then became whiny and pleading. Ewwwww.
Photo from Fox News 12/10/16
Looking at my 5 year old grandson, I said “No honey, the Santas drinking beer aren’t the real Santa Claus.”
#SantaCon #checkfirstnextyear
saneteachers 
How confusing for the little ones. I’ve seen it before on t.v. and although I wouldn’t mind seeing them on the streets, I’d hate to be stuck on a train w/ a bunch of them.
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It’s not bad. Just annoying. But I would have picked a different weekend to go.
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Hilarious!
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Yet completely true 😃
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Hey, what a coincidence. I was in a meeting here in Rome with a client this morning when really loud music interrupted us. Down in the street four – yes four – Santa Clauses were playing band type music and passing a hat (red cap?). But it’s got nothing to do with local traditions! I agree trains are usually the best way into a city…
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Ha! Are you sure I didn’t send them to you?
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That’s a thought. Can’t think of any other reasons to explain their presence 🙂
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Lol
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Sounds potentially traumatizing! The true test will come on Christmas eve if your grandson asks to leave beer out for Santa instead of milk and cookies.
Also, what does “ZenThis” mean and why is it the first word of this post?
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If he asks for beer I’ll fall over, lol. I edited the post back and corrected it. You would have loved the spectacle on Saturday. Does Toronto have SantaCon?
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I don’t think we do, but the media around here made sure to cover yours.
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I can see the headlines now. MORE INSANITY SOUTH OF THE BORDER! BUILD THE WALL NOW!
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I’ve never heard of SantaCon! I wonder how in the world that tradition got started? Somehow dressing up as Santa and drinking excessively just don’t seem to go together in my mind!
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I know, it’s crazy. It’s like a crazier version of St. Patrick’s Day, which, when I was drinking considered amateur day. But that’s another story! I know they have one in San Francisco and I think Chicago. It’s just very annoying.
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