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Upside-Down Christmas Trees
Status: Real
Target.com Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
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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
Huh? Exactly what European tradition would that be? Maybe this IS traditional for Satanists, Alex.
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
http://www.livejournal.com/users/zestyping/97476.html
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
Come on, you KNOW that making that claim would get you on the TV news shows!
We seen those on the news the otherday.....what a waste of money...
Posted by X in McKinney, TX 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
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.
Are you sugesting that an upsidedown Christmas tree is representing death?????
Posted by X in McKinney, TX 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
"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").
"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
Posted by Richard@Home
*buzzer sounds* incorrect!
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
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.
*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
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!)."
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
"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*
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