Sketchy Santas: A Lighter Look at the Darker Side of St. Nick

By Will Zweigart

Ho, ho, huh?

Who’s that excessively jolly fellow with the fake beard, shifty eyes, sweaty hands, and boozy breath? Why, it’s not just Santa but sketchy Santa! Yes, ’tis the season for awkward photos of small children posed precariously on the laps of some of the most clownish, irritable, and just plain weird-looking Santa wannabes—guys you’d give a wide berth to if you passed them on the street.

Inside this painfully hilarious collection of holiday photos, you’ll discover the pop culture history of the sketchy Santa, and how to identify sketchy Santas in shopping malls everywhere . . . making this the perfect gift for anyone who understands that "He sees you when you’re sleeping" is a deeply disturbing thought.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Release date: Nov 2, 2010
• ISBN: 9781439197615

Will Zweigart

Will Zweigart is the author of Sketchy Santas: A Lighter Look at the Darker Side of St. Nick. 

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

S anta Claus has captured our imaginations for centuries as an enduring symbol of kindness and generosity. A beloved mythical figure who brings joy to kids everywhere, he’s a beacon of hope for children across the world—part confidant, part gift-bearing superhero. But with great power comes great responsibility.

So why is it that anyone willing to wear the costume is eligible for the job? And why do we encourage our kids to sit in a bearded stranger’s lap and share their deepest wishes, while we spend the rest of the year instructing them to stay away from these people? You have to admit, it’s a little weird.

These days just about any guy with a red suit, a fake beard, and a few hours to kill can become St. Nick. And that’s the problem, really—there’s no quality control. It’s not surprising that, for many of us, time spent on Santa’s lap has been anything but joyful.

This book is a collection of photographs featuring our favorite holiday hero in a variety of compromising positions. These images may force you to look more closely at the man in red and white, and question one of our time-honored shopping mall traditions.

Why are certain Santas so sketchy, you ask? How did they come to be this way? What are some helpful tips for identifying them? This book will answer those questions—but let’s get a few things straight before we

Reviews for Sketchy Santas

[chrisweir-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Supposed to be a funny little book about funny looking Santa pictures. Think a screaming kid trying to get away from Santa at the mall. Some of the pics were funny but then the authors captions to the picture just took it away. Broken into different sections like drunken Santa, Look at the Eyes and others. Just wasn't funny which I expected. Some others may love it but just left me flat.