Some 177 Santas from around the world called Monday for more colourful Christmas trees this year, saying the plain green ones were too staid as they opened their annual World Congress in Denmark.
"This year the Santas want to be trendy. They seem to be tired of the green Christmas tree, which they find too monotone, and want a bit of colour, gaiety and renewal next to the fireplace," Congress spokeswoman Vibeke Larsen told AFP.
The Father Christmas and their little helpers from 10 European countries, the United States and Japan were meeting for their 43rd annual get-together at Bakken, the oldest theme park in the world, located just north of Copenhagen.
Clad in their full red attire despite the sweltering July heat, the Santas gathered "to talk about the upcoming Christmas and questions they care about, and to have a good time too," Larsen said.
Among the issues being discussed was the eternal debate of whether Christmas should be celebrated on December 24th, as in some European countries such as Denmark and Sweden, or on the 25th, as in other parts of the world. Other issues on the agenda included "the possibility of giving children bigger presents and easier ways of opening gifts," organisers said.
One noticeable absentee, however, was the Finnish Santa, who has boycotted the event for years over his refusal to acknowledge that the one true Santa is the one from Greenland, who lives in a secret location.
"We don't know why he's not here ... Maybe he's still pouting after he was criticised in recent years by his colleagues who disapprove of him usurping the title of the world's Father Christmas," Larsen said.
On Tuesday, the Santas were to take a dip in the waters of the Baltic Sea before boarding a boat for Copenhagen, where they were to hold their annual parade in the city's streets. The Congress was to wind up on Wednesday with the adoption of this year's resolutions and a big Christmas dinner Danish-style, featuring roast pork, caramelised apples and rice pudding, all washed down with beer and aquavit.
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