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Let's hear it for Santa's evil twin, 'Anti' Claus!

2006-12-17

By Robert Niles: My wife and I had our annual cookie party this weekend, and I wanted to share an idea from that party which I think needs your support.

We're calling it "Anti Claus."

You know ol' Santy Claus, the jolly man who comes on Christmas Eve to deliver presents to good boys and girls. Well, Anti Claus is his evil twin. And he comes a week or so before Christmas, to *take* toys from good little girls and boys. Specially, the toys they haven't played with all year and that are just taking up space around the house.

He works in the middle of the night, like his brother Santa, when the kids are asleep... and can't interfere. But he's effective -- clearing the place of every unused, unwanted, overlooked toy, so that there will be space for the loot Santa's bringing next week.

Of course, Anti Claus needn't be all bad. Perhaps some of those toys taking up space around the house remain in good shape. Maybe he finds some nice books the kids no longer read. Packaged holiday food that no one will eat. Or unwanted clothes that no one wore. And maybe the *really* good little girls and boys -- with their parents -- might even help Anti Claus deliver those extra presents to folks who can send them to families that won't be getting much from Anti's more famous brother this year. (My daughter, for example, just brought two grocery sacks of her old books, in good condition, to her Girl Scout troop, which wrapped them up for families at a local AIDS clinic.)

Anyway, for those of us who do not live in spacious McMansions, Anti Claus is a hero whose time has come. Arrange a visit by Anti Claus to *your* home. Spead the word. E-mail this post -- (the URL is http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200612/254/ ). But hurry. Santa's coming and we need to clear some space!

Readers' Opinions

From Matthew Baker on December 18, 2006 at 2:38 AM
Elaborating on the get-the-kids-involved part, when the kids are of a suitable age, you could set aside an evening or two around the holidays each year where every member of the family gets to be "Anti Claus". Maybe right after Thanksgiving and just before the Christmas lights and/or tree go up, and toy/food/coat/etc drives are being hosted by TV stations and organizations. If everybody gets involved, the kids would learn some worthwhile lessons (and maybe not just the kids!) and they'd be less likely to resist.
From Franki Brock on December 19, 2006 at 4:39 PM
good idea i remember my mom and i doing that when i was little :)

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