good for her to do that, ya know it’s funny when my niece who’s now 12 was younger she wanted nothing to do with Santa & it wasn’t until she was older that she did. my nephew who is 8 now was the same but not as long as her
Shannon BELIEVES in Santa. She just doesn’t believe Brad is Santa. But she’s beginning to weaken in the last panel.
And that last panel is concerning for another reason. Shannon can’t believe that her Uncle Brad is that “jolly.” I wonder where the"dear sweet little tyke" ever got that silly idea? Brad not Jolly.
How very, very sad for the poor child. Every time she shows up, Brad is not “Jolly.”
Perhaps the New DeGroots should table the idea of ever adopting Shannon if the situation ever presents itself.
I guess the joke is that Brad usually has a sourpuss expression – even though he is not a sourpuss. Nevertheless – Shannon’s pretty sharp – and the third frame turnaround doesn’t fly very well.
For those that have a problem with “Happy Holidays!”….Deal with it! The greeting is not hurting you nor disrespectful to your beliefs. Turn off the Fox News propaganda and enjoy the season!
I’m sorry… when does Santa play into the Nativity scene?
Jesus was born
Mary & Joseph – check
manger – check
wise men w/gifts – check
shepherd boy w/sheep– check
mythological creature based of west European folklore who originally started out as a punishment but now has Elfin helpers to cheers things up – uuuhh no
Sorry what did I miss? What does making it a Holiday Greeting instead of Christmas greeting insult?
side note – Jesus would have been born in April or May. Not December.
I’ll admit that my prediction about Jack saving the day was wrong, perhaps he is just a plot device, although I still think there is a long slow march to a serious relationship between Luann and Jack in store, so I am firmly in that school for now. But it’s cute how Shannon both is shown to be skeptical and believing of the Santa Claus myth, one that Western culture has as iconic. I believe a bit of fantasy is good for children, so I am not one who is against children being encouraged to believe in Santa or the Easter Bunny. They will find out reality soon enough. This arc is interesting in who the characters are though and how they are portrayed. Someone mentioned that maybe the niece is Fay. That would be great, I hope we see that little middle school cutie and the boy she is crazy about, Axel, again. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
One. Looking at response to DaJellyBelly ‘s comment above (40 responses at 7 AM MST), whoever said this isn’t a political strip? Yeah, right!
Two. Much as I was pleased by yesterday’s turn of events, I am at least puzzled by today’s. As in, does Shannon really believe in Santa Claus? Is Toni trying to get Shannon to believe in Santa Claus?
I was perfectly happy with the idea yesterday, that Shannon might (certainly not necessarily) come away with the notion that someone else was playing Santa Claus, not necessarily Bwad.
Still, it does appear that G&K are building up to some kind of Christmas Card panel for tomorrow.
Which is good, because what they pulled Sunday definitely was not!
Mall Santas always say they’re just one of his helpers, and that’s what Shannon was prepared to believe as she walked up. Now they’re setting up a bigger problem if Brad’s beard or pillow slips. This whole story makes no sense..
I’m just a little tired of the Merry Christmas v. Happy Holidays argument. It rather smacks of Gell-Mann’s totalitarian principle which states: “Everything not forbidden is compulsory.” Having a number of good neighbors who happen to be Jewish or other non-Christian faiths or beliefs, I tend to wish them A Happy Hanukkah, or Happy Holidays, and it doesn’t seem to harm my observance of Christmas in any way. In turn, they frequently wish me a Merry Christmas in the same spirit of goodwill and it doesn’t seem to offset their Hanukkah, or alternative celebrations, in any meaningful way. I find the whole argument unsettling as it seems to say that the Christian celebration is in some way superior to other observances of the season. (At one time, Christmas celebrations were so raucous and saturnalian, that they were banned by law in Puritan England and in early Puritan America.) So in that sense only, I really think my old friend Ebeneezer Scrooge had a somewhat valid point when he told his nephew to keep Christmas in his own way and let me keep it in mine.
As I recall on the Roseanne" sitcom the family was squabbling about religion during the Christmas season and Jackie so eloquently announced “Can we please stop talking about God? It’s Christmas!”
“There is no tradition in Judaism of celebrating birthdays, otherwise we would have a list of birthdays from Noah, Abraham to Moses, King David and many others, but no such thing exists. There are of course Sages who have suggested that certain individuals were born on Moedim or important days of Israel’s history, however there are no “birthdays” within Judaism, Torah, Judahite Christians or the true Ecclesia of YEHOVAH God down through the ages.
Now although there is no specific command against the celebration of birthdays in the Bible, the Judahite custom in those days was apparently based on the negative occurrences in the Bible surrounding birthdays, as well as the astrological implications of the celebration of birthdays (pagan practices, like astrology, were specifically prohibited in the law). "
Oh for crying out loud. Some of you are simply embarrassing. Your own Bing Crosby sang Happy Holidays back in 1939 or there about. And no one, NO ONE, gave it a second thought. Just grow up ok?
Why is this GoComics comment page continually being turned to politics? There’ve been some real bot-type anti-liberal screeds here. This is the same thing—picking a fight with people who prefer a greeting that’s inclusive. Is that all you guys do here, pick fights?
Way too much over mental justisfaction here. Santa comes on Christmas Eve and leaves presents for good children to find on Christmas morning. I never have heard that he only leaves presents to Christians. So it is logical he would say Merry Christmas. Maybe Season’s Gretings would be better.
I’d love to tell all you politically correct liberal idiots what you can do with “Happy Holidays”. It probably involves being ‘anal retentive’. LOLThis is SANTA depicted here. He says MERRY CHRISTMAS. Oh, you’re Jewish? Shalom & Happy Hannukuh. Oh, you’re Muslim? Have a blessed Ramadan. Oh, African-American? Have a wonderful Kwaanza. Druid? Happy Yule. Ancient Roman? Festive Saturnalia.
Templo S.U.D. almost 5 years ago
close call on that third bit, Toni
AnyFace almost 5 years ago
Cstimpy25 almost 5 years ago
good for her to do that, ya know it’s funny when my niece who’s now 12 was younger she wanted nothing to do with Santa & it wasn’t until she was older that she did. my nephew who is 8 now was the same but not as long as her
Mordock999 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Okay let see if I got this right.
Shannon BELIEVES in Santa. She just doesn’t believe Brad is Santa. But she’s beginning to weaken in the last panel.
And that last panel is concerning for another reason. Shannon can’t believe that her Uncle Brad is that “jolly.” I wonder where the"dear sweet little tyke" ever got that silly idea? Brad not Jolly.
How very, very sad for the poor child. Every time she shows up, Brad is not “Jolly.”
Perhaps the New DeGroots should table the idea of ever adopting Shannon if the situation ever presents itself.
Do it for Brad! ;)
allen@home almost 5 years ago
I don’t know maybe it’s not Brad. Yea right.
Brdshtt Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Are Brad’s cheeks rosy? Only Toni knows…
Baarorso almost 5 years ago
Can’t Shannon relax and believe for once? Geez, she’s just a child!
Kymberleigh almost 5 years ago
Not only saved the situation, Toni now has Shannon convinced Brad is the real Santa. Nice going.
lordhoff almost 5 years ago
Santa says, “Merry Christmas!”. St Nicholas was a bishop after all.
howtheduck almost 5 years ago
With the downward turn of his mouth in Panel 1, Santa Brad does not look all that jolly.
Brdshtt Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Meanwhile, Bets and Gunny are at the Comic – Con wishing everyone “Merry X – Men”.
gnmnrbl almost 5 years ago
Good save toni. And i could picture shannon thinking “…now i’m a believer, not a trace of doubt in my mind..”
kenhense almost 5 years ago
I guess the joke is that Brad usually has a sourpuss expression – even though he is not a sourpuss. Nevertheless – Shannon’s pretty sharp – and the third frame turnaround doesn’t fly very well.
Joe1962 almost 5 years ago
Toni with the save.
DuncanCairncross almost 5 years ago
Santa should NOT say “Merry Christmas” – Santa and the celebration long predates the Christian religion
Don Draper almost 5 years ago
For those that have a problem with “Happy Holidays!”….Deal with it! The greeting is not hurting you nor disrespectful to your beliefs. Turn off the Fox News propaganda and enjoy the season!
RandomLeeme almost 5 years ago
I’m sorry… when does Santa play into the Nativity scene?
Jesus was born
Mary & Joseph – check
manger – check
wise men w/gifts – check
shepherd boy w/sheep– check
mythological creature based of west European folklore who originally started out as a punishment but now has Elfin helpers to cheers things up – uuuhh no
Sorry what did I miss? What does making it a Holiday Greeting instead of Christmas greeting insult?
side note – Jesus would have been born in April or May. Not December.
luann1212 almost 5 years ago
I’ll admit that my prediction about Jack saving the day was wrong, perhaps he is just a plot device, although I still think there is a long slow march to a serious relationship between Luann and Jack in store, so I am firmly in that school for now. But it’s cute how Shannon both is shown to be skeptical and believing of the Santa Claus myth, one that Western culture has as iconic. I believe a bit of fantasy is good for children, so I am not one who is against children being encouraged to believe in Santa or the Easter Bunny. They will find out reality soon enough. This arc is interesting in who the characters are though and how they are portrayed. Someone mentioned that maybe the niece is Fay. That would be great, I hope we see that little middle school cutie and the boy she is crazy about, Axel, again. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
dadoctah almost 5 years ago
Brad’s always struck me as jollier than most people.
locake almost 5 years ago
I love that Toni does not tell Shannon any lies about Santa. Instead she asks questions that make Shannon think for herself.
Major Matt Mason Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Would it kill you to say “Merry Christmas,” Evans?
Ellis97 almost 5 years ago
Santa is greeting them by saying, “Happy Holidays?“ That can’t be him!
JasonBall almost 5 years ago
Toni looks great in that elf costume, haha
asrialfeeple almost 5 years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVbfbvtRBBc
BigDaveGlass almost 5 years ago
Bingo!
cubswin2016 almost 5 years ago
Even a cynic can be broken.
Russell Bedford almost 5 years ago
Let’s all remember whose birthday we celebrate and not forget to invite Him to the birthday party.
pa1morecast almost 5 years ago
Shannon desreves a lump of coal
Aladar30 Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Brad’s innate seriousness saves the day (and the dreams of a little girl)!!! What a surprise to know that he’s also a good actor.
Schrodinger's Dog almost 5 years ago
Santa’s nose is the right color, and Toni’s buttons are all red.
All is right with The Colorist world. :-)
Cheapskate0 almost 5 years ago
One. Looking at response to DaJellyBelly ‘s comment above (40 responses at 7 AM MST), whoever said this isn’t a political strip? Yeah, right!
Two. Much as I was pleased by yesterday’s turn of events, I am at least puzzled by today’s. As in, does Shannon really believe in Santa Claus? Is Toni trying to get Shannon to believe in Santa Claus?
I was perfectly happy with the idea yesterday, that Shannon might (certainly not necessarily) come away with the notion that someone else was playing Santa Claus, not necessarily Bwad.
Still, it does appear that G&K are building up to some kind of Christmas Card panel for tomorrow.
Which is good, because what they pulled Sunday definitely was not!
Tom_Tildrum almost 5 years ago
Mall Santas always say they’re just one of his helpers, and that’s what Shannon was prepared to believe as she walked up. Now they’re setting up a bigger problem if Brad’s beard or pillow slips. This whole story makes no sense..
eladee AKA Wally almost 5 years ago
I think Shannon is a believer again!!!
EasyEight almost 5 years ago
Gawds this is a woke comic. If you’re a kid and getting on Santa’s lap then you’re asking for a Christmas present.
Bookworm almost 5 years ago
I’m just a little tired of the Merry Christmas v. Happy Holidays argument. It rather smacks of Gell-Mann’s totalitarian principle which states: “Everything not forbidden is compulsory.” Having a number of good neighbors who happen to be Jewish or other non-Christian faiths or beliefs, I tend to wish them A Happy Hanukkah, or Happy Holidays, and it doesn’t seem to harm my observance of Christmas in any way. In turn, they frequently wish me a Merry Christmas in the same spirit of goodwill and it doesn’t seem to offset their Hanukkah, or alternative celebrations, in any meaningful way. I find the whole argument unsettling as it seems to say that the Christian celebration is in some way superior to other observances of the season. (At one time, Christmas celebrations were so raucous and saturnalian, that they were banned by law in Puritan England and in early Puritan America.) So in that sense only, I really think my old friend Ebeneezer Scrooge had a somewhat valid point when he told his nephew to keep Christmas in his own way and let me keep it in mine.
Call me Ishmael almost 5 years ago
BTW: I think this new Santa is Jack.
lotsalaffs Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Great punchline. Didn’t see it coming.
TurbosDad almost 5 years ago
As I recall on the Roseanne" sitcom the family was squabbling about religion during the Christmas season and Jackie so eloquently announced “Can we please stop talking about God? It’s Christmas!”
phurface almost 5 years ago
IT’S NOT HAPPY HOLIDAYS! IT’S MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Pohka almost 5 years ago
A good lead up to the day. Happy Hogswatch to all! Feel free to look Hogswatch up. And remember, have fun, enjoy and be Merry!
Kim Roberts almost 5 years ago
“There is no tradition in Judaism of celebrating birthdays, otherwise we would have a list of birthdays from Noah, Abraham to Moses, King David and many others, but no such thing exists. There are of course Sages who have suggested that certain individuals were born on Moedim or important days of Israel’s history, however there are no “birthdays” within Judaism, Torah, Judahite Christians or the true Ecclesia of YEHOVAH God down through the ages.
Now although there is no specific command against the celebration of birthdays in the Bible, the Judahite custom in those days was apparently based on the negative occurrences in the Bible surrounding birthdays, as well as the astrological implications of the celebration of birthdays (pagan practices, like astrology, were specifically prohibited in the law). "
https://www.hope-of-israel.org/OTbirthdays.html
ForrestOverin almost 5 years ago
“Truck load of coal for you, Shannon. They’ll deliver it to you at the orphanage.”
Bucinka almost 5 years ago
Whew. Good save, Aunt Toni.
Chuck374 almost 5 years ago
Happy Holidays??? Santa has NEVER said that. It is always and only Merry Christmas.
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace almost 5 years ago
UnBradlike behavior brings belief. BRAVO!!
wvrr almost 5 years ago
Oh for crying out loud. Some of you are simply embarrassing. Your own Bing Crosby sang Happy Holidays back in 1939 or there about. And no one, NO ONE, gave it a second thought. Just grow up ok?
handq almost 5 years ago
Ahhh Shannon…my favorite little twurp
elliel203 almost 5 years ago
She’s going to think Brad is The Guy..
sueb1863 almost 5 years ago
The only way Shannon will be fooled is if she doesn’t get close to Brad. Then there is no way she won’t recognize him.
YorkGirl Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Brad has to “up his game” with more “ho-ho’s” and a voice change!
Far trippin' almost 5 years ago
Aww this got me right in the feels. I believe too, Shannon. Merry Christmas to all.
WilliamPennat almost 5 years ago
Very forced Ho Ho Ho….
WF11 almost 5 years ago
Shannon must be getting a bit older. I notice she now says “Brad” instead of “Bwad”.
johnshirleyaltere almost 5 years ago
Why is this GoComics comment page continually being turned to politics? There’ve been some real bot-type anti-liberal screeds here. This is the same thing—picking a fight with people who prefer a greeting that’s inclusive. Is that all you guys do here, pick fights?
bakana almost 5 years ago
They’ve been very careful not to let the Kid catch them Making Whoopie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ROhJ1bu1hY
Dae almost 5 years ago
In the original POEM, St. Nicholas said “HAPPY Christmas”, so Brad is partially correct. In short, despite the wording, the SENTIMENT is the same.
millersdiveservice almost 5 years ago
I’d like to help Toni “unwrap” her bod….I’d imagine “Santa’s” helpers don’t really look like her
RSH almost 5 years ago
Looks like Jack is out of the picture for now. Hopefully he will return; it’s only tuesday.
smurf764 almost 5 years ago
Way too much over mental justisfaction here. Santa comes on Christmas Eve and leaves presents for good children to find on Christmas morning. I never have heard that he only leaves presents to Christians. So it is logical he would say Merry Christmas. Maybe Season’s Gretings would be better.
Sisyphos almost 5 years ago
And on her third swing, Aunt Toni knocks it out of the park! Yay, Toni!
Shannon is only six; she can believe in Santa for another year or two….
Schrodinger's Dog almost 5 years ago
Do I hear sleigh bells? ♫
G’nite all !
PurpleOpus almost 5 years ago
I’d love to tell all you politically correct liberal idiots what you can do with “Happy Holidays”. It probably involves being ‘anal retentive’. LOLThis is SANTA depicted here. He says MERRY CHRISTMAS. Oh, you’re Jewish? Shalom & Happy Hannukuh. Oh, you’re Muslim? Have a blessed Ramadan. Oh, African-American? Have a wonderful Kwaanza. Druid? Happy Yule. Ancient Roman? Festive Saturnalia.