Guntis Pakalns, who is senior researcher, Dr.philol. at the Archives of Latvian Folklore, Institute for Literature, Folklore and Art at University of Latvia, has collated a unique and very extensive collection of Christmas-related humorous images and video clips found on the Internet. Dr. Pakalns outlines his project thus:
“The central part of the article is devoted to a brief overview of the most characteristic groups of the jokes (with links to the images, video and descriptions of the traditions): Santa Claus as the bringer of presents, his trip from the north-land and his friend Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, arrival through the chimney, different other persons wearing Santa’s hat (politicians, terrorists, women, animals, etc.), Santa’s sexuality, drunken Santa, Santa murdered/killed, etc.”
Visual Jokes about Christmas and Santa Claus on the Internet – Why and Why not? is available in full, free of charge, courtesy of the journal Folklore, vol.50, 2012.
NOTE: Some of the images in the paper may not be are very probably not suitable for those with a sensitive disposition towards Santa Claus.
On the other hand, as the author puts it : “ … maybe we do not need to study and explain everything, maybe even a scholar has the right to simply enjoy these jokes … So, Merry Christmas!”