“This is a picture of me around 2 or 3 years old (82/83). It was taken in Poland where traditionally the Santa held a giant wand type thing as demonstrated in this picture wrapped in tin foil. It appears that the beard was also made out of cotton balls. I was terrified and forced to wear spiderman booties and a crown.”

Thanks Agatha!

“This pic of my husband when he was a child in Germany – German Santa’s are CREEPY!”

Thanks Joy!

“This is me when I was about 4 years old. It was taken in Latin America which likely explains the horrific dwarf mask of the guy in back of me. I assume they couldn’t afford elf masks and this was all they had. The excitement is evident on my face.”

Thanks Ingrid!

From Huffington Post: “The Condom Claus” lives on a street in Bangkok to promote safe sex.

Considering this thing lives in Bangkok, NO, I COULD NOT RESIST:

Thanks to our News Girl, Anne for the link!

“In Kerala (or at least in Cochin), effigies of Santa Claus get burnt on New Year’s eve”

Many thanks to Adrian from Flickr for submitting these great photos. Check out more of his photos here on his Flickr.

Bandages cover the face of a 20-metre (66ft) tall statue of Santa Claus in downtown Auckland, as part of a $100,000 facelift. Click here for the story.

Thanks to Eric for sending us the link.