About the Museum
The Museum of Hoaxes is dedicated to promoting knowledge about hoaxes. (Click here for opening hours, etc.) On our blog we post about dubious- sounding claims, and whatever else strikes our fancy. The site is also home to the Hoaxipedia (the museum's online encyclopedia of hoaxes), the Hoax Forum, and the Top 100 April Fools' Day Hoaxes.

The museum was created in 1997 by Alex Boese. He's assisted by a staff of deputy curators and docents. Alex is the author of three books, most recently Elephants on Acid: And Other Bizarre Experiments (which has nothing to do with hoaxes). Check out the list of the Top 20 Most Bizarre Experiments of All Time for a preview.


Web Hoax Museum

Prankplace.com
REMOTE CONTROL FART MACHINE
The Brand New Fart Machine has “BoomBox” Technology, which allows more vibrant, natural sounding farts. Simply hide the little speaker, then from up to 100 feet away, press the included remote, and the hidden speaker lets out one of 15 disgusting fart sounds. Place under your co-workers desk, and let the laughter begin.

FUNNY T-SHIRTS
Browse our top quality t-shirts, and you are guaranteed to find one perfect for you, or to give as a funny gift to a friend or family member. Our shirts come in your choice of sizes, most are available in Medium, Large, XL, 2XL and 3XL.


Upside-Down Christmas Trees
Status: Real
image Target.com is was selling an upside-down Christmas tree for $499.99. (Thanks to Travis for the link--which has now gone dead, therefore I removed it) I'm not religious, but my first thought when seeing it was that it would be a perfect holiday decoration for a family of Satanists, to accompany their upside-down crosses and crucified Santa. I know it's not a joke, or some mistake on Target's part, because Hammacher Schlemmer is selling the same thing for $100 more. I understand these things are supposed to be space-savers, but why not save space by buying a smaller tree? I guess I just don't see the point, or appeal, of an upside-down tree. And why are they so ridiculously expensive?
Posted By: Alex | Date: Wed Nov 09, 2005 | Permalink | Total Comments: 75
Category: Religion
Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Page 1 of 4 pages  1 2 3 >  Last »
The ad says: "Celebrate the age-old European tradition of upside-down Christmas trees".

Huh? Exactly what European tradition would that be? Maybe this IS traditional for Satanists, Alex.
Posted by Big Gary in Antarctica  in  Dallas, Texas  on  Wed Nov 09, 2005  at  03:30 PM
I was always under the impression that the Christmas Tree was a Pagan tradition, and really had nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity. I have no idea how it ended up as a Christmas symbol - they didn't have too many Douglas Firs in Palestine two thousand years ago.
Posted by Alastair Bird  on  Wed Nov 09, 2005  at  04:27 PM
This has got to be a joke. Disgruntled employee perhaps?
Posted by Craig  on  Wed Nov 09, 2005  at  06:36 PM
Upside down trees were popular with cat owners and people with small children. They are usually hung from the ceiling. That way neither little rug rats could upset the tree.
Posted by Mo  in  Earth, Mostly Harmless  on  Wed Nov 09, 2005  at  07:06 PM
Maybe they're so expensive because they're actually being imported from Australia. . .
Posted by Accipiter  in  the Northern Hemisphere, unless They have lied.  on  Wed Nov 09, 2005  at  07:38 PM
Yeah they were talking about these on the Colbert Report last night on Comedy Central.
Posted by Dan  on  Wed Nov 09, 2005  at  08:29 PM
NPR had a story on this today - http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5006258
Posted by The Hermit  on  Wed Nov 09, 2005  at  10:04 PM
An upside-down tree would be perfect in this room:

http://www.livejournal.com/users/zestyping/97476.html
Posted by Alex  in  San Diego  on  Wed Nov 09, 2005  at  10:37 PM
OK, how long before a right-wing Christian group says that upside-down Christmas trees are a Satanic thing? Or, conversely, before someone pretends to be a right-wing Christian group that says upside-down Christmas trees are a Satanic thing?

Come on, you KNOW that making that claim would get you on the TV news shows!
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Thu Nov 10, 2005  at  12:58 AM
We seen those on the news the otherday.....what a waste of money...
Posted by X  on  Thu Nov 10, 2005  at  06:15 AM
Like I said, the satanic implication was the first thing that occurred to me when I saw it. Not that it bothers me. I just thought it was curious, and I was surprised it hadn't occurred to other people. Because isn't that supposed to be like a secret satanic code: turning religious artifacts upside down so that they face down towards hell? In all the horror movies everything gets turned upside down whenever the devil is around.
Posted by Alex  in  San Diego  on  Thu Nov 10, 2005  at  07:22 AM
And Cranky, I think that you'd be the perfect person to pretend to be a right-wing Christian who thinks upside-down Christmas trees are a satanic thing.
Posted by Alex  in  San Diego  on  Thu Nov 10, 2005  at  07:27 AM
Christmas trees have nothing at all to do with Christianity (and therefore Satanism). It's a purely pagan (which ironically IS a Christian word meaning 'country dweller' and refers to *anyone* who isn't a Christian - Buddhists are pagans for example) thing.

It represents new life and fertility (it's evergreen) in at a time of the year when most life is resting.

As for an upside-down Santa Clause? That would something a Pepsi drinker might worship. The 'traditional' red suited, white bearded santa was originally invented by the Coca Cola company as part of an advertising campaign.
Posted by Richard@Home  in  Sheffield, UK  on  Thu Nov 10, 2005  at  07:38 AM
Are you sugesting that an upsidedown Christmas tree is representing death?????
Posted by X  on  Thu Nov 10, 2005  at  11:03 AM
Alex said:

"And Cranky, I think that you'd be the perfect person to pretend to be a right-wing Christian who thinks upside-down Christmas trees are a satanic thing."

Yes, that has crossed my mind, Alex. Especially since my last name is Pagani (Italian for the plural of "pagan").
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Fri Nov 11, 2005  at  01:05 AM
"The 'traditional' red suited, white bearded santa was originally invented by the Coca Cola company as part of an advertising campaign."
Posted by Richard@Home

*buzzer sounds* incorrect!
Posted by Chuck  in  Rhode Island  on  Fri Nov 11, 2005  at  08:47 AM
The tree was traditionally recognized as a pagan ritual. I believe the Germans initiated the upside down tree as a sign of Christianity. That was back in the 12th century I think and as crazy as that may sound today I'm sure the more recent fad will be seen as equally by future celebrators.
Posted by B Lewis  in  Wash. DC  on  Fri Nov 11, 2005  at  09:19 AM
I happen to have one of the upside down trees and it is always the conversation piece at the holidays. I am able to display my collection of blown glass ornaments (~600), each hangs freely and is easily seen.
A number of friends have since purchased one of these trees because it's not only unique but the ornaments don't get lost in the branches like on a "regular" tree.
Don't knock it til you've tried it.
Posted by Susan  in  Denver  on  Fri Nov 11, 2005  at  09:31 AM
*unplugs the buzzer*

from: http://users.rcn.com/tlclcms/santa.htm

"Believe it or not, the Coca-Cola company also contributed to the modern Santa Claus. Beginning in 1931 and for 35 years, Coke ran advertisements that featured a human-size Santa (not elf-size) drinking Coke. These ads contributed much to the modern image of Santa Claus (and the drinking of coke!)."
Posted by Richard@Home  in  Sheffield, UK  on  Fri Nov 11, 2005  at  09:31 AM
Richard@Home's original comment

"The 'traditional' red suited, white bearded santa was originally invented by the Coca Cola company as part of an advertising campaign."


Richard@Home's revised comment

"Believe it or not, the Coca-Cola company also contributed to the modern Santa Claus. Beginning in 1931 and for 35 years, Coke ran advertisements that featured a human-size Santa (not elf-size) drinking Coke. These ads contributed much to the modern image of Santa Claus (and the drinking of coke!)."


uhhh, Richard, your first comment says Coca Cola inventedThe 'traditional' red suited, white bearded santa.

Your second comment more accurately states "These ads contributed much to the modern image of Santa Claus"

I dont dispute the contribution Cocal Cola made, I do dispute your original comment that they inventedthe traditional Claus

http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/santa.asp

*plugs buzzer back in*
Posted by Chuck  in  Rhode Island  on  Fri Nov 11, 2005  at  09:48 AM
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