Me vs. Santa

Let's see... how best to set up the story... 

Last Saturday, Husband was working, so the Little One and I were on our own.  Ya know, just a couple of gals out on the town, footloose & fancy free.  In the late afternoon, we ventured out to the Kettle of Fish in the West Village, where friends were hosting a turducken (turkey + duck + chicken = yummy goodness) party.  Looking for more space, they chose this neighborhood bar because it happens to have a side room that's great for groups.  Kind of the perfect, mellow setting to have some food & drinks with friends.

I knew something was up when, nearing our destination, I crossed paths with a couple guys dressed up as Santa.  Baby S, strapped to my chest in her carrier, had her first Santa sighting and I didn't even have my camera handy, I thought.  Bummed for 2.5 seconds, I rounded a corner and all of a sudden it was like the North Pole exploded in the West Village.  There were elves & Santas aplenty, most scantily clad and looking, umm... a little worse for wear.  Santa Con had descended on NYC.

Here is what I know now: Santa Con is an international event that occurs all over the US and in 25 countries.  On one established day in December, everyone & their brother who feels the urge to don a Santa or elf costume can dress up and walk around town.  Think of it as the Halloween of the holiday season... a time to dress inappropriately because you can, to drink yourself silly and to, most likely, regret it the next day.  Ah, good times.

This would have been entertaining if I had been on my own, but seeing as Baby S was with me, I quickly went into protective mode.  Entering the bar, I felt a cross between Moses parting the Red Sea and a mama bear protecting her young.  I kept my hands in front of me to make sure not a single St. Nick bumped or nudged us as I searched for my group.

Quickly finding the hostess with the mostess, I settled in with the party for some delicious food & holiday cheer with friends.  Sure, a couple Santas eyeballed the turkducken, but I think they knew better than to try and crash our little festive event.

Drunk Santa, don't even TRY and cross a mama bear.