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The 2010 Santa Tantrum Awards are here!
I have to say, as someone who has monitored the industry closely, that it's getting a lot harder to be a mall Santa Claus in the Bay Area. The 2010 Santa Tantrum Awards may not be our best yet (I think the 2009 field still rules), but it definitely marks a high point in the suffering of faux St. Nicks.
Not convinced? Just look at the second Santa from the top in the honorable mentions. He looks like his head is about to explode. I'm seriously wondering if the kid on his lap might be a Scanner.
Our latest Santa Tantrum Awards are below. The winner and runner-up will receive prizes -- a long and complicated but ultimately rewarding process that will begin next week. Wait for my e-mail.
Congratulations to all the honorees, and thanks to everyone who entered!
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THE SPECIAL CITATION FOR BEST MELTDOWN WHILE LOOKING RESPLENDENT IN SEMI-FORMAL ATTIRE
Courtesy Jenny Cooney
Little Aidan wasn't taking his chances with the naughty list. The 14-month-old arrived on Santa's lap looking like he was applying for a job -- with a tie, jacket and hair carefully parted. Apparently the interview didn't go well. Bonus points for wearing a name tag (so no one will ever forget), and for attempting to jump off Santa's lap in a spread eagle skydiver formation.
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THE "YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN, I'M TRYING TO GET A NEW BIKE" AWARD FOR ANGELIC BEHAVIOR WHEN FACED WITH A SCREAMING BROTHER
Courtesy Bonnie Pang
You could pitch a sitcom pilot based on this photo. I like how big sister is looking patiently at her howling little brother. Meanwhile, big brother is pretending like the whole thing isn't happening, staying far enough away so that Santa won't get confused with the naughty/nice list. As for St. Nick, I'm not sure what that gesture with the hand is about -- but it looks like he might be demanding a raise. Or reaching for a drink ...
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THE MOTHER/SON SYNERGY AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN CROSS-GENERATIONAL TANTRUMS
Courtesy Jason Leary
Courtesy Jason Leary
This is Sean in 2010, followed by a photo of his mother Michelle in the 1980s. ("It looks like flipping out with Saint Nick runs in the family," father/husband Jason Leary writes.) Not only did mother and son both hate Santa as a toddler, but they have similar techniques. Both chose to straddle Santa's right knee, dig their chins into their chests and had no idea what to do with their hands. One more note: I think that might be the same Santa in both pictures.
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THE HAPPY SANTA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING COMPOSURE IN THE FACE OF MULTIPLE TANTRUMS
Courtesy Edmund Chiu
The Santa from Westfield San Francisco Centre appeared in more than a half dozen entries this year, dealing with some of the most challenging tantrums. (Including Edmund Chiu, above, who was a Santa Tantrum Awards finalist.) Like the Stonestown Santa, last year's Lifetime Achievement winner, he never breaks character. We also like the fact that he has some facial resemblance to Denver Pyle, and that his cumulonimbus-style beard is big enough for its own zip code.
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FIRST RUNNER-UP
Courtesy Alyssa Osian
This photo has a little bit of everything: The 17-month-old twins in a coordinated meltdown. The child clutching a candy cane -- we're guessing it was part of a failed bribe. The 1-month-old sleeping through the whole thing. But our favorite part is the glowering "Why does this @#$% always happen to me?" look on the face of the Santa, who is no doubt wishing that he took the holiday job at The Gap instead.
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THE WINNER!
The children in this contest inflict pain on Santa all the time, but it's not often that you see a coordinated attack as well-executed as this one. You can tell little Ethan and Zach were diagramming the assault in the sandbox for months. Ethan tries to unmask Santa by pulling his beard, while Zach elbows him hard in the solar plexus. At the point that the photo is taken, Santa's eyes are rolling up in his head. Merry Christmas!
When you're not even 2 years old, and you can make St. Nick looks like he just got hit with a taser, you're showing some serious game. Congratulations, Ethan and Zach! You are our 2010 Santa Tantrum Awards winners!
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HONORABLE MENTIONS
Courtesy Greg Comolli
Courtesy Christina Hanley
Courtesy Jaime Farrell
Courtesy Karen McCarthy
Courtesy Sheila Cartier
| December 30 2010 at 02:02 PM
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