I shared some vintage ads a few weeks back that showed Santa enjoying a smoke and an adult beverage or two. It reminded me f a post from a number of years back that shared a group of odd Victorian Christmas images. Those Victorians had a darker and weirder sense of humor than we give them credit for. At least, I think it was a sense of humor. It was often definitely weird, with creepy clowns, distraught children in china teapots, walking root vegetables and roasted rats.

I won’t even try to explain the murderous, thieving frog or the gun-toting Chihuahua.

I think my favorite is the first one below with the Polar Bear mauling a skater under the heading ” A Happy Christmas ” with ” A Hearty Welcome” under it.  I get that way about the holidays sometimes myself.

So, if you think we’re living in a strange time, take comfort in knowing that it was equally weird 125 years ago. Now get out of here or I’ll let my polar bear out of the shed.

Git!