It’s the most wonderful time of the yeeeeeear!

Merry Christmas, pandas! If you’re celebrating this year, I hope you’re warm and cozy at home snuggled up with your loved ones and surrounded by countless delicious treats. Today should be all about showering your friends and family with love and embracing the holiday spirit. Unfortunately, however, bad luck doesn’t seem to take holidays off, and it will happily strike when we least expect it.

Down below, we’ve gathered some of the most painful Christmas fails people have experienced to remind you pandas that the day can always get worse. From cooking nightmares to injuries that left people hospital-bound, there’s no shortage of tragedies that have taken place on Christmas each year. So gather with your friends and family, sing your favorite carols, and pray that Santa doesn't bring you glass in your pie or a smashed car window this year.

Keep reading to also find an interview we were lucky enough to receive from Thom Crowe, co-host of 'Tis the Podcast. Be sure to upvote the photos that you find most tragic, and let us know in the comments below what the worst fail you’ve ever experienced or witnessed on Christmas was. Then if you’d like to see even more reminders that your holiday could always get worse, you can find Bored Panda’s previous articles featuring Christmas fails right here and here!

#1 Caught This Chonker Stealing A Christmas Tree From A Neighbors' Yard

Image credits: snkrcult

There's no way to ensure that any day goes perfectly as planned, so Christmas is absolutely no different. And to remind you pandas that we're all capable of experiencing a tragic holiday failure, we reached out to Thom Crowe, one of the hosts of 'Tis the Podcast, a show dedicated to keeping the spirit of Christmas alive 365 days a year by ranking, reviewing, and discussing Christmas movies every week for the past 5 and a half years.

We asked Thom if he could share about some of the less magical Christmases he has experienced. "We have never had a burnt Christmas dinner, but I have been to a Christmas dinner where the Turkey was carved and the middle was uncooked," he told Bored Panda. "It was a huge fail because everything else was ready. As you can imagine, people were somewhat less than enthusiastic. We ate all the sides of Christmas and had a whole turkey left over."

#2 Now We Need New Christmas Tree Toys

Image credits: toshels

#3 I Sat There, Staring, Wondering Why My Religious Mother-In-Law Had A Severed Toe Christmas Tree Ornament. Upon Closer Inspection

Image credits: JoshuaHubert

We were also curious if Thom thinks anything can be done to prevent Christmas disasters, or if they're bound to happen eventually. "Honestly, slowing down a bit," he recommended. "During the holidays, everything is rush, rush, rush, and people don't focus on what they're doing, which leads to accidents."

On a lighter note, we asked Thom about some of his favorite Christmas traditions. "We typically keep our PJs on throughout the day," he told Bored Panda. "Every year since I was young I wake up extra early, full of excitement. The good thing about having kiddos around is you can wake them up, and no one can say no to excited children on Christmas morning."

#4 Merry Christmas To All And To All A Good Night

#5 We Have Been Putting This Little Chewbacca In The Christmas Tree For Ages And I Never Really Knew Why... I Just Found Out My Mom Thinks He Is A Gingerbread Man

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#6 Merry Christmas Everyone! Out Of All Days, My Kidneys Decided To Stop Working Now

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And when it comes to what Thom loves most about Christmas, he shared, "Aside from the historical/religious aspects, I really enjoy how everyone comes together at Christmas time. People are jollier, friendlier, and generally more positive and hopeful. There's so much going on around us throughout the year that leads to cynicism and negativity - it's nice to see the brighter side of humanity on display, glowing brightly like Christmas lights (super cheesy, I know)."

I couldn't agree more. If you'd like to hear more about Thom's Christmases or hear him discuss the best films and shows to watch this time of year with his fellow co-hosts, be sure to check out 'Tis the Podcast right here!

#7 Merry Christmas Mom. I Know It's A Couple Of Weeks Early But I Thought I'd Help You Open Some Gifts

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#8 I Finished The Christmas Present For My Boyfriend When He Broke Up With Me Unexpectedly

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#9 It Looked Straight On The Hill It Grew On

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I’m no stranger to Christmas fails myself. The last time I had a stomach bug was when I was 12 years old, and it was on Christmas. RIP to all the delicious food I had eaten that day… A few years ago my family’s oven completely shut down on Christmas Eve and didn’t work for almost all of Christmas Day. We found out later that it had somehow been set to Sabbath Mode, where it will not work to respect Jewish Sabbath. The one time in my life that I’ve had to have stitches was when I was 10 years old and face-planted on a basketball court while giving my younger brother a piggy-back ride the week before Christmas. I split my top lip and chin open, and I remember watching the Jim Carrey version of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas while sitting in the ER waiting room. Christmas fails can happen to us all. 

#10 In The ICU On Christmas Because My 28-Year-Old Girlfriend Had A Stroke

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#11 Just Used A Bath Bomb I Got For Christmas And Now The Bath Looks Like Urine

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#12 Someone Broke Into My Van Last Night And Stole All My Christmas Presents For My Family

Image credits: NorFokAnChance

Unfortunately, we can’t ever guarantee that a day will be injury free, even Christmas. And according to the National Accident Helpline in the UK, a phenomenon called the “Festive Fear” might be a contributing factor to why so many accidents occur around Christmas time. They explain that the seasonal stress associated with having to entertain guests, shop for gifts, fight traffic, spend exorbitant amounts of money on food and presents causes people to start panicking and rushing, which can lead to dangerous accidents. The NAH notes that the kitchen is a particularly scary place for those experiencing the Festive Fear. One study found that 49% of people preparing Christmas food had suffered an accident. 11% have spilled hot fat on themselves, and almost 1 in 5 people have cut themselves when preparing vegetables.

#13 My View For The Past 8 Hours And The Next 23. I Won't Be Seeing My Family This Christmas

31 hours straight, I took this shift cause I'm the only one with no kids from our company. I wanted my coworkers to spend the holidays with their kids, so I took the shift no one wanted.

Image credits: HumperMoe

#14 It's Out Of The Box

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#15 So Much For A Last-Minute Trip To The Grocery Store Before Christmas

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Putting up Christmas decorations can also be a dangerous feat for many, as nearly 3% of people have suffered from electric shock due to badly wired Christmas lights. Using ladders to place decorations on rooftops or high up on Christmas trees is also often a disaster waiting to happen. 1 in 50 people have fallen while taking decorations down, and that’s not even the only way to take a tumble during this season. Nearly a third of people have fallen on ice (including myself, three times already this season!), and about 8% of UK residents between the ages of 16-24 have to make a trip to A&E during the holiday season. 

#16 Not So Merry Christmas. Not The Best Thing Just A Week Out From Christmas

So woke up on Friday to my wife screaming fire. She got the kids out and I got the pups before it all went up in smoke. Fire started in my living room, the firefighters suspected it was a faulty power outlet that ignited my couch. My PC was an innocent bystander. There was no other option, stuff is nice but my family is everything.

Image credits: Cmdrsausage

#17 Merry Christmas

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#18 Glowing Half-Stars That Look Like Underpants

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Within the home, the National Accident Helpline reports that about 1,000 people are injured annually while trying to fix ornaments and decorations high up on their Christmas trees. About 350 people suffer injuries related to Christmas lights each year, and we are all more than 50% more likely to die in a house fire during Christmas time than at any other point in the year. Please be careful during this time, dear pandas. This is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, not the most tragic!

#19 The Christmas Cakes Just Arrived... A Little Late, Thanks Post Office

Image credits: Sn4p77

#20 My Friend's Tree Was Infested With Ticks And They Had To Throw It Out Just Before Christmas

Image credits: Nintendophile79

#21 Broke My Fibula 2 Hours After Bragging To My Family That I’d Never Broken A Bone Before. On Christmas

Image credits: BrynjolfsAccent

When it comes to taking safety precautions during the holiday season, the National Accident Helpline recommends being extra careful when it comes to electrical and fire safety. Always remember to unplug your lights when you go to sleep and when you’re not at home. Don’t water your Christmas tree while the lights are on, and be careful not to overload your electrical sockets. If you have a fireplace, sweep out your chimney to avoid chimney fires, and never leave lit candles unattended.    

#22 Merry Christmas Everyone... Yayyy

Image credits: chris_0929

#23 My Knee Went Septic On Christmas Eve, Merry Christmas Everyone

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#24 Christmas Morning - Doggo Rips Out Santa's Innards Then Falls Asleep On His Limp Corpse. No Remorse

Image credits: DVSwan

To avoid slips and falls during the holiday season, don’t do any decorating that requires going into the attic or using ladders without other people around. Don’t buy a tree that’s too large for your home, and be sure to use a proper stepladder while decorating the highest branches. Be careful opening presents too. If they require scissors, don’t cut towards yourself, and don’t leave sharp objects on the floor to be stepped on or tripped on later. Keep your home well lit in the evening to avoid trips or falls, especially if you have elderly family members visiting. 

#25 My Cat Has Declared A War On Christmas

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#26 Just When We Had Saved Up Enough For Our Kids' Christmas

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#27 My Dog Chewed Through The Gift Card I Just Received On Christmas

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I hope you pandas don’t experience any tragic Christmas fails this year, but if you do, clearly, you’re not alone! Keep upvoting the pics that you find particularly tragic, and then feel free to share about any Christmas fails you’ve experienced before in the comments below. The holiday season is about spending time with our loved ones and getting to relax, so be careful not to end up spending your days in the hospital! Stay safe out there, pandas!

#28 I’m A Financially Struggling Terminal Cancer Patient And This Is What My Mother-In-Law Got Us For Christmas

The note says: "A donation of $100 has been made in your name to Nature Conservancy Canada".

Image credits: Ghostytoastboast

#29 Parents' Home Burnt Down Just Weeks Before Christmas

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#30 I Am Dre, Aiming Of A White Christmas

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#31 Christmas Present From My Very Karen Grandma To My African American Wife

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#32 Not All Christmas Cookie Projects Work Out. Exhibit One, Reindeer

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#33 Christmas Seems To Be Taking A Long Time To Come This Year

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#34 I Work At Target And Had To Work Christmas Eve. I Was Told By Our HR Person That There Would Be A Nacho Bar In The Break Room. You Can Imagine My Disappointment

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#35 I Made This For My Grandma, Just For It To Slip Out Of My Hands On Christmas

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#36 Our Kitty Broke Her Leg And Had To Have Surgery Right Before The Holidays

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#37 My Sister Spent Her Own Money For A New TV For My Dad On Christmas Opened It And Turned It On And We See This

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#38 So This Just Happened. Now We Have To Find Take Out At 7 Pm On Christmas Eve

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#39 Going For An Oil Change. Shop Drops My Truck Into Their Bay. Merry Christmas Everyone

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#40 Sainsbury's Christmas Tree Picture vs. Reality

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#41 Poor Guy At Work Invited Everyone To His Christmas Party

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#42 My Initials Are DT, Husband's Is FT. My Poor, Sweet Dad Gave Us This Stationary For Christmas

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#43 Heating Emergency During Christmas. But Not The Kind You Think Of

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#44 My Aunt “Adopted” An Elephant For Me As A Christmas Present And Her Last Known Location Was Recorded In August. I Can Only Imagine What Happened

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#45 Merry Christmas, And A Broken Femur To Me

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#46 Randomly Fainted And Fell Face-First Onto A Concrete Floor. Merry Christmas

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#47 Got This Right Before I Was About To Set Off To The In-Laws For Christmas. Merry Christmas Everyone

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#48 How My "Fragile - Handle With Care" Package (My Christmas Gift To My Wife) Has Arrived

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#49 New $2k PC Came In Just In Time For Christmas

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#50 My Wife Bought This $9 Christmas Ornament

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#51 Just Wanted To End Christmas With A Nice Hot Shower

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#52 My Gram Sent A Card With $200 For Christmas. It Finally Came Today Like This

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#53 My Mom Accidentally Dropped And Broke One Of Her Nutcrackers While Putting Away Christmas Decorations. Now It Looks Like It’s Sad That Christmas Is Over

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#54 Opened The Mailbox Expecting Christmas Cards And Instead Got My Ambulance Bill From An Auto Accident In July. Merry Christmas

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#55 I Got A PS5 For Christmas This Year

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#56 Having To Tear This Off My Banks' ATM On Christmas Eve

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#57 Was At A Stoplight At An Underpass And Suddenly My Back Window Shattered. There Goes My Kids' Christmas Money

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#58 I Bought My Wife A Dash Cam For Christmas This Year. It Sure Would Have Come In Handy Today

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#59 Decided To Wear My New, Red Christmas Socks Today. Apparently, Santa's Red Discharge Can't Just Be Washed Off With Some Water And Soap

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#60 How Do You Spell Christmas?

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#61 UPS Stole My LEGO Grand Piano Christmas Gift

So glad my instincts told me to investigate rather than having to open a gift of disappointment on Christmas morning. The box inside of the larger box that was shipped just contained more of the same: baggies of mulch and dozens of ups shipping labels. So many questions. Where did the thief procure the mulch? Where did these random assorted lego pieces come from? The giveaway/indication I should investigate my package was that three out of the four tape points were already severed, and this fourth one had been double-taped.

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#62 Nothing Says Festive Spirit Like Finding A Bag Of Dog Poop On The Car

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#63 My Mother's Holiday Season: Buy First Ever New Car, Gets Lymphoma, Loses 10-Year Job, Hit And Run Victim

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#64 Happy Christmas! Only 72 Hours Left Of Downloading To Play The Game He Got For Christmas This Morning

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#65 I Volunteered To Make Cupcakes For My Work Holiday Party Tomorrow, And Decided To Get Fancy And Fill Them With A White Chocolate Ganache

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#66 Saved For Months Because Unemployed, Ordered In September. FedEx Refused To Deliver Because We Were Cut Off Due To Landslides And Floods, Came Yesterday At Post Office

Motherboard is snapped, shoe print on box... Canada Post and FedEx say it's not their fault. One sad child. Sorry. Merry Christmas!

Image credits: The_Thrift_Hunter

#67 Asked My Wife If She Could Take Down The Lights On The Christmas Tree While I Was At Work. This Is What I Came Back To

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#68 Pants I Got For Christmas Came With The Security Tag

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#69 What A Lovely Monday Evening. Looks Like We Are Off To Get A New Christmas Tree

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#70 My Ultrawide Monitor Arrived After Being On Backorder Since Christmas

Since it has to be built in the box, I didn't see this nice little issue until I cleared my desk and took off the wrapping protector...

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#71 Engine Blew On Christmas Eve. Hour And A Half From Home

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#72 My Key Snapped In The Door As I'm Leaving To Go On Holiday

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#73 Not Even Finished Decorating The Tree Yet And The Cat Has Chewed Through The Lights

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#74 My Colorblind Aunt Made Cherry Blossom Cookies For The Holidays

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#75 I Wasn’t Home When A Gift I Ordered Was Delivered, Luckily My Dog Laney Took The Parcel In For Me

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#76 Somehow I Get The Impression That My Dad’s GF Doesn’t Like Me. Evidence - A Christmas Gift

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#77 My Dad Asked For One Of Those Realistic Dog Head Golf Club Covers For Christmas. Nobody Is Ever Going To Golf With Him Again

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#78 Well, Looks Like My Son Is Getting Straight Teeth For Christmas (And My Other Kids Are Getting A Brother With Straight Teeth For Christmas)

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#79 I Accidentally Burned My Arm And It Looks Like A Tree. Merry Christmas I Guess

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#80 Mom's Turkey Exploded, Christmas Vacation Style

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#81 I'm Not The Only One Who Sees It, Right?

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#82 Got Some New Roller Skates And Yoga Blocks For Christmas. Didn’t Even Get To Use Them Before Spraining My Achilles Ice Skating Last Night. Merry Christmas I Guess

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#83 My Brilliant Sister On Christmas Day Decided To Ride Her Son's New Longboard. Let's Just Say It Did Not Go Well. Ouch! She Will Have A Bit Of Recovery Time Needed

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#84 For Christmas, I Got A Headband Headphones And I Thought It Was Perfect For My Big Head Except For One Thing: The Controls Are On The Forehead

So not only do I have to slap my face to skip the song, I can't see the buttons when it's on so I have to slap my head multiple times.

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#85 Canceled My Holidays Due To Covid And Every Plan Falling Apart. Decided To Prepare Myself Some Nice Christmas Dinner At Home By Myself

Dropped the good knife while doing the dishes. Never seen a knife like that.

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#86 My Friend Bought A Cheap Christmas Ornament - There Was A Reason It Was Cheap

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#87 Trying To Wrap My Brother's Christmas Present. Managed To Rip The Whole Sticker Off Except The Price

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#88 Is This Waffle Maker Magic?

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#89 Took Out The Christmas Ornaments From The Attic. I Guess We Have Rats

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#90 Our First Year Where We Thought We Could Afford The Electric Bill To Put Out Some Christmas Lights And By The Second Week Somebody Decided To Cut Our Lights. Why?

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#91 The Only Thing I Wanted From My Mom For Christmas Was Just A Nice Cologne. Thanks Anyways Ma

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#92 I Always Thought The First Time I Line Up For Something Would Be Exciting. I’m 400 Cars Deep In Line Waiting For A Covid Test

The line is over 2.5 km long already and the testing clinic opens in 2 hours. Merry Christmas everyone.

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#93 This Christmas Snowman Cutout. Perspective Is Hard

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#94 Due To A Lack Of Energy, This Mama Is Not Sending Out Christmas Cards This Year. Merry Christmas

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#95 This Reindeer At A Christmas Lights Display. I Don't Understand What's Going On With The Mouth And Nose

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#96 My Husband’s Cat Was Overstimulated And I Didn’t Notice And Went To Give Her A Bow To Play With. She Got Startled And Kicked Me And Sliced My Hand Open With Her Back Claws

Merry Christmas to you too, Nala…

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#97 Happy Holidays To Me (Positive Covid Tests)

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#98 Fixed The Christmas Reindeer At The Cost Of My Table

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