I have been in Walmart after Christmas and saw people returning fake trees. I also saw people returning meat and also saw that meat being put back into the meat case. I complained…it went no place!
One Thanksgiving, my wife had to work in the O.R. on Thanksgiving. I told our kids we were going to get Thanksgiving dinner at the Salvation Army. No hysterics like Calvin, but a very glum group as I drove into town. I stopped at a Safeway, and told them I had to pick something up. I came back with a package to a still quiet car. Then I explained that I had ordered the meal in the package when I had found out my wife would have to work. The relief was quite audible…
Not as many in driveways recent years since some people (one of whom shall not be named) return them to Lowe’s for a full refund under their “No Questions Asked” refund policy. Dilly! Dilly, boy howdy!
Today’s strip just emphasizes how Christmas (being so commercialized) appeals to kids mostly and is a groan for adults. Kids get to enjoy the jolliness, Santa bringing presents, all the bright and beautiful displays. Whereas the grownups have to buy all the presents, put up the displays etc., etc. No wonder MOST but not all of us dread the season.
Dad is good at kinda getting back at Cal for some of his behavior. Doesn’t use force or anger, just a bit of off hand kidding. Cal just takes it all too seriously, especially when it comes to collecting the goodies.
One of the guys my wife dated years ago was from a xmas tree farm family. He hated them and she was too busy. His mother insisted, brought a tree over, decorated it and it sat and sat and sat … long about Easter, his mother finally removed it. My wife is a gardener and hates dead plants just for show.
My SILs always told their kids to hold the though, called me and asked me what I’ve been telling their kids. Sometimes I’d respond Aunt___ says it too.
Not so far from my own Dad’s approach to the whole Christmas Tree thing.
We always decorated it Christmas Eve.
Which meant that he got our tree after they went on Emergency Last Minute Ultimate Reduced Price Sale within a week before Christmas, and it was always a little bald on one side, being one of the picked-over remnants.
Being also another kid who grew up sans siblings, the whole Christmas dog and pony show was pretty irrelevant. And growing up in a one BR small house (the dinner table was one person sequentially occupied), we never had relatives or friends over
Over here in the UK a vicar received criticism for announcing to a class of 10 year olds that Santa doesn’t exist. He told them it was their parents who drank the milk and ate the cookies. Many were reduced to tears.
I actually know someone who grew up so poor that, that’s exactly what their parents did. A few days after Xmas they’d pick up a discarded tree with light and decorations still attached, from a “rich neighborhood”.
They should go Eastern Orthodox, with Christmas celebrated on January 7th. They can follow Dad’s suggestion, and make out like bandits on post-Holiday sales.
codycab about 23 hours ago
Just how to save money. A much needed tip.
dadthedawg Premium Member about 23 hours ago
He wondered if I believed in Santa Claus…..
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover about 23 hours ago
Something that builds character.
snsurone76 about 23 hours ago
Nowadays, could Dad be charged with child abuse??
snsurone76 about 23 hours ago
When I was a kid, my friend and I would gather the tinsel from discarded Xmas trees. It was fun, although our mothers didn’t agree.
C about 23 hours ago
Post Tree Season Disbelief
sirbadger about 23 hours ago
At the after Christmas sale, you’ll be able to buy next year’s tree at a huge discount.
hariseldon59 about 23 hours ago
I see years of therapy ahead for Calvin.
SHIVA about 23 hours ago
The old man is yanking his chain!!! GOOD!!!!!
Izzy Moreno about 23 hours ago
Dad’s on form, in this one.
MichaelAxelFleming about 23 hours ago
Celebrating holidays late builds character.
The dude from FL Premium Member about 23 hours ago
I have been in Walmart after Christmas and saw people returning fake trees. I also saw people returning meat and also saw that meat being put back into the meat case. I complained…it went no place!
Imagine about 22 hours ago
And people wonder why Calvin is the way he is.
Jayalexander about 21 hours ago
I love this guy, in a manly way.
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member about 21 hours ago
I’ve told this one before.
One Thanksgiving, my wife had to work in the O.R. on Thanksgiving. I told our kids we were going to get Thanksgiving dinner at the Salvation Army. No hysterics like Calvin, but a very glum group as I drove into town. I stopped at a Safeway, and told them I had to pick something up. I came back with a package to a still quiet car. Then I explained that I had ordered the meal in the package when I had found out my wife would have to work. The relief was quite audible…
I like Calvin’s dad, needless to say.
The Reader Premium Member about 21 hours ago
I think I’ll try that this year!
azrael2000 about 20 hours ago
Another victory for dad. A small victory perhaps, but still a victory!
rshive about 19 hours ago
And people wonder why Calvin is “strange”.
BigDaveGlass about 19 hours ago
And all the other discarded trees can be chopped up and used as firewood.
In fact, to really mess with him, tell him you did buy one and this log I’m putting on the fire is the last of it.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member about 19 hours ago
One of my favorite C & H strips. The hogwash Dad tells him is priceless.
diverbelle about 19 hours ago
Somehow Calvin’s Dad keeps Calvin in place…on the precipice of belief and disbelief. Exactly as it should be in C&H.
Ropey Wee Yoofo about 18 hours ago
snicker
tremaine53 about 18 hours ago
Best. Dad. Ever.
MRBLUESKY529 about 18 hours ago
Why is Dad so mean? Why is Calvin so gullible?
fgerbil46 about 17 hours ago
This one was hilarious! :-)
SquidGamerGal about 17 hours ago
Nice going, Mr. Character Building Dad! Do you even stop and think for a second asking yourself why exactly Calvin acts out on a daily basis?
gantech about 17 hours ago
Maybe that explains why Calvin is….the way he is…
CountOlaf2.0 Premium Member about 17 hours ago
Not as many in driveways recent years since some people (one of whom shall not be named) return them to Lowe’s for a full refund under their “No Questions Asked” refund policy. Dilly! Dilly, boy howdy!
Niko S about 16 hours ago
Today’s strip just emphasizes how Christmas (being so commercialized) appeals to kids mostly and is a groan for adults. Kids get to enjoy the jolliness, Santa bringing presents, all the bright and beautiful displays. Whereas the grownups have to buy all the presents, put up the displays etc., etc. No wonder MOST but not all of us dread the season.
baskate_2000 about 16 hours ago
Payback.
markkahler52 about 16 hours ago
Don’t tell Calvin about Krampus…
ladykat about 16 hours ago
Stop messing with your son’s mind!
sandpiper about 16 hours ago
Dad is good at kinda getting back at Cal for some of his behavior. Doesn’t use force or anger, just a bit of off hand kidding. Cal just takes it all too seriously, especially when it comes to collecting the goodies.
kab2rb about 16 hours ago
Oh dad you are so bad. Calvin will have a stroke and so young.
g04922 about 16 hours ago
Haha… Dad secretly loves to torment Calvin. Good one.
Vegetable Patch 62/-46 about 16 hours ago
How about an April genius tree?
1. Plant a fruit bearing tree outdoors on your property.
2. Don’t chop the tree down unless it’s dead.
3. Gather and eat your own produce instead of choking on tinsel and electric light bulbs.
Not many people make it to genius level.
royq27 about 16 hours ago
With that type of upbringing, Calvin will most likely grow up to be a cartoonist…
jannichols2000 about 15 hours ago
Dad really knows how to push Calvin’s buttons!
david_42 about 15 hours ago
One of the guys my wife dated years ago was from a xmas tree farm family. He hated them and she was too busy. His mother insisted, brought a tree over, decorated it and it sat and sat and sat … long about Easter, his mother finally removed it. My wife is a gardener and hates dead plants just for show.
suelou about 15 hours ago
Actually, years ago my neighbor used to do that because she was Russian and they celebrated Christmas later!!
John Leonard Premium Member about 15 hours ago
One of my favorites.
rockyridge1977 about 15 hours ago
Dad is just “messing” with him!!!!!
mindjob about 15 hours ago
With all the toys Calvin wants, no wonder dad is broke and needs to save money
John Jorgensen about 14 hours ago
Christmas trees lying in the gutter waiting for a garbage truck is one of the most melancholy sights there is.
Cincoflex about 14 hours ago
My dad made the exact same joke in 1969. My mom had to deal with my sobbing sister for a few hours.
Doug Taylor Premium Member about 14 hours ago
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Right up there with the K-Mart Blue Light Special.
oakie9531 about 13 hours ago
i once left my Christmas tree up for 9 years
Otis Rufus Driftwood about 13 hours ago
You read these and wonder what we should infer about Dad’s own childhood; or if he’s just messing with Calvin.
Medtech4 about 12 hours ago
Wow, Calvin’s dad finally paid him back….making him go completely apoplectic right before Christmas!
wiley207 about 12 hours ago
Basically the successor to the strip from December 20, 1987, with the Dad teasing Calvin about acting like Christmas trees aren’t a big deal.
And hey, it can then be a Valentine’s tree!
garcalej about 12 hours ago
Sometimes its fun to mess with kids…
jbruins84341 about 12 hours ago
And they wonder why Calvin is the way he is.
mistercatworks about 12 hours ago
I had a scheme to ship used Christmas trees to Russia where the holiday is celebrated on January 6th but the transport costs were prohibitive. :)
crazeekatlady about 11 hours ago
My SILs always told their kids to hold the though, called me and asked me what I’ve been telling their kids. Sometimes I’d respond Aunt___ says it too.
johnec about 11 hours ago
Not so far from my own Dad’s approach to the whole Christmas Tree thing.
We always decorated it Christmas Eve.
Which meant that he got our tree after they went on Emergency Last Minute Ultimate Reduced Price Sale within a week before Christmas, and it was always a little bald on one side, being one of the picked-over remnants.
bookworm0812 about 11 hours ago
LOL! I remember this one either from when it ran in the paper or the book my brother had. Or maybe even both.
syzygy47 about 11 hours ago
Being also another kid who grew up sans siblings, the whole Christmas dog and pony show was pretty irrelevant. And growing up in a one BR small house (the dinner table was one person sequentially occupied), we never had relatives or friends over
No6 about 11 hours ago
Over here in the UK a vicar received criticism for announcing to a class of 10 year olds that Santa doesn’t exist. He told them it was their parents who drank the milk and ate the cookies. Many were reduced to tears.
What’s the matter with people???drribs about 10 hours ago
I didn’t know they were Russian
brick10 about 9 hours ago
Mom needs to take a week long retreat and leave the two of them together.
namelocdet about 7 hours ago
I actually know someone who grew up so poor that, that’s exactly what their parents did. A few days after Xmas they’d pick up a discarded tree with light and decorations still attached, from a “rich neighborhood”.
nsr60 about 7 hours ago
They should go Eastern Orthodox, with Christmas celebrated on January 7th. They can follow Dad’s suggestion, and make out like bandits on post-Holiday sales.
hagarthehorrible about 6 hours ago
He is Calvin’s father, alright.
HodgeElmwood about 4 hours ago
Calvin had it coming.
Dis-play name about 3 hours ago
Not a bad idea! I think I’ll do that this year.
Gordette about 3 hours ago
One of my all-time favorites!
lindz.coop Premium Member 14 minutes ago
Methinks there are reasons why Calvin acts out…