Life — December 1, 1921 — page 6: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "Sidestepping Santa" - Explanation for Modern Readers This is a humorous essay by George S. Chappell about managing Christmas expenses during economically challenging times. The author describes practical alternatives to expensive gifts: giving coal (divided into smaller boxes with ribbons), decorating with household items like vegetables, and exchanging small checks instead of presents. The accompanying illustration shows cats dining together at a formal table with wreaths and a "Merry Christmas & Happy New Year" banner—a whimsical visual pun on "their Christmouse dinner" (mice/mouse being cats' natural prey). The overall satirical point targets the commercialization of Christmas and suggests that meaningful celebrations don't require expensive purchases—a commentary relevant to readers facing financial constraints, likely during an economic downturn in the early 20th century.