OK, now I have to find a Santa suit

Perhaps I have bitten off more than I can chew. In an earlier post, I asked you — the reader — to help me pick my Chico-themed Christmas card. In what amounts to overwhelming response for both me and my blog, the following has become clear:

  • No one liked my object d’arte idea. Especially when I used a creepy holiday decoration at a nearby restaurant as the prop.
  • The Senator ornament idea got a lukewarm response. Some noted that the Senator was an unusual object for holiday decoration while others liked the idea.
  • The City Plaza Christmas Tree idea was greeted by only chirping crickets.
  • But, hands down, people liked the Sierra Nevada Santa.

The Santa idea was hugely popular with people saying I should definitely do it. Now it is my responsibility to carry this off in a tasteful fashion. I think that will be the key for success.

Part of my problem is finding the right “look” for Santa. As I said before, I want to depict the fun and warmth of the earlier campaign involving the cola-flavored sugar water.

Some people have suggested giving a bottle to a mall Santa. A mall Santa. Regardless of what one may think about mall Santas, I just think there are too many variables in play there.

I also want to be a part of the photo, so I don’t think a mall Santa can play the role of Santa for my card. Someone suggested the idea of my posing with mall Santa and a bottle of Sierra Nevada, but that just disconcerts me.

I think the best person for the role of Santa for my Christmas card is me. So, now all I have to do is find a Santa suit.

Making a Chico-themed Christmas card – Help me decide

Ah, the holidays. It’s the time of year when we turn our thoughts to Christmas, the overwrought and overfought War on the War Against Christmas, the other holidays and stuff. This also means Christmas cards, gifts and more.

While there are a lot of different people and publications will encourage you to shop local for the holidays, I will refrain from discussing that subject until later. (Besides, I prefer to shop loco).

No, the most important thing for me now is to get cards out to friends and family. I haven’t sent the cards out in a few years and I feel like a heel.

At the same time, I don’t want to send the same old boring card — no stale winter themes or dramatic newsletters of my accomplishments for me. I want to add a local flavor. For example, when I lived in Michigan I used stamps that were launched in the town where I lived.

So, how do I kick it up, Chico-style? I could try to get the musical group Yule Logs to pose for a picture, but I don’t know if friends back east would get it.

I’ve been pondering some ideas, but I wanted to give you all a chance to weigh in. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

  • A – Remember that great Coca-Cola ad campaign with the portraits of Santa holding the iconic soda bottle? OK, picture this — me dressed as Santa holding the Chico-equivalent, a big bottle of Sierra Nevada ale. I’ll try to make it look classy and less like a poorly dressed nerfherder with booze.
  • B – I took a photo of the Senator Theatre through an ornamental metal fence in Chico City Plaza. For this, I would try to recreate it with a holiday theme — a wreath and some ornaments.
  • C – An image of the holiday tree in City Plaza. I’ll try to jazz it up somehow.
  • D – A photo of me in some holiday garb holding a local object d’arte.

What do you think? Help me decide and you might win the grand prize — a Christmas card from yours truly.

Here are some illustrations to help with your decision:
B – The Senator Theatre concept
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D – Me, holding an object d’arte
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