Grottos

A list of the Grottos to join:

Devolved Santa Government
Version 1.0

SantaCon is a grand and, some might say, holy day. To really “live the dream”, Santa needs to really feel part of “The Convention” – unfortunately, feeling involved in a crowd of 1000 is a little tricky. In order to keep SantaCon rocking, it’s time for a bit of devolution.

CREATE YOUR OWN SANTA GROTTO

A Grotto is a collection of Santas. Call it a Clan, a Cell or a Tribe. Any Santa can create a Grotto, and they can be any size. The only requirement for a Grotto is that it has a name and a standard (a flag with a symbol) . Beyond these basics, Grottos can organise in any way they wish. Grottos can define their philosophy, set up Facebook groups,
pub meets, start their own mailing lists, evolve their own style of Santa dress or even write their own songs. The main SantaCon website will list any public grottos so that Santas can find a family that suits them.

GROTTO BASICS

  • A Grotto needs a name
  • A grotto needs to make itself a Standard
  • Choose a symbol to use as a logo
  • Make a flag and put it on a flag pole of some kind
  • This flag should be carried during “The Convention” to allow members of your grotto to stay together
  • If anyone can join, post a message to the Santacon list or Facebook page with information

SOME EXTRA THINGS TO DO

  • Create a facebook group or set up some form of communication
  • Encourage your members to customise their outfits to a basic theme (just to make things more colourful)
  • Maybe choose your own starting point so that you can gather your grotto and then arrive together at the main starting point
  • Set up a twitter hashtag or some kind of way to communicate with other grotto members
  • Organise a pub meetup for your members before the day to get things started
  • Print out some extra song sheets for forgetful Santa
  • Encourage members to get deep into the Santa spirit
  • Bring musical instruments or drums and make some noise

QUESTIONS

The basic idea is – Just get out there and do it. You don’t need to ask permission. We will set up a mailing list for Grotto representatives (A Grotto Council) that will allow for more details to be ironed out.

FLAG MAKING WORKSHOP

If there is enough interest, we will hold a Flag making session at the Limehouse Town Hall on the afternoon of Saturday 4 Dec.

What is Santacon?

It is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious and non-sensical celebration of Christmas cheer, goodwill, and fun. It is not a membership organisation just an annual event which organically occurs every year in London and is created by whoever wants to take part. Nevertheless there are customs, and veteran Santas have put together this evolving guide of how to make it work well. There is no particular reason to dress up in Santa suits, run around town, give gifts, sing songs, have strangers sit on our laps, and decide who is naughty or nice - but it’s a lot of fun - so Santa does it anyway. Everyone loves Santa and Santa loves everyone!

Santa's Rules:

  1. Be Jolly. Be nice. Do not throw things at people. Watch out for racism, homophobia or any other kind of abuse and step in to help when needed. Santais inclusive and Santa loves everyone.
  2. Christmas apparel is mandatory. A Santa hat is not enough. Get a Santa suit. Buy a Santa suit. Make a Santa suit. Customise a Santa suit. Be creative. If you don’t have any creativity, slap yourself three times and ask your mum to help you. Glue cotton balls to red long johns, utilise Christmas decorations, whatever. Already have a Santa suit? Bring spare parts for the Santafication of strangers.
  3. Twisting the Christmas paradigm until it screams for mercy is fun! Getting arrested is not. Santa is friendly, respectful, and cooperative with police, security guards, horse guards, MI5 agents, and shop and bar staff, and does NOT break any laws!!! Have your own special surreal fun, but DON’T F*CK IT UP FOR THE REST OF US. Santas do not destroy property, steal merchandise, or do harm to others. The authorities and local businesses usually take Santa’s antics in the loving, festive spirit that Santa intends, if we are nice to them.

Santa's Reminders:

  1. The "route and schedule" is open to liberal interpretation by Santa at all times. There is no head Santa in charge to call. If you can’t show up for the start or get lost, get the mobile number of someone who can help you catch up later. Depending on the year there may be guiding Santas, flags to follow or some technological Santanav system, or you may wish to come up with your own idea to help Santae find their way.
  2. Santa dresses for all occasions. It’s December. Smart Santas wear layers. Dress to maximize merriment whether singing christmas carols in the snow, or dancing manically in the shopping centre.
  3. Santa doesn’t whine! We will be outside much of the early day and covering a lot of ground on foot – bring a bottle of water and enough "snacks" to keep your pie-hole filled until we get indoors.
  4. Bring small gifts – NAUGHTY gifts to give grown ups; NICE stuff to give kids. Visit a pound shop, wrap up coal, sweets and brussels sprouts; Santa loves stickers, hug vouchers and mistletoe.
  5. Watching Santa get drunk can be fun. Babysitting Santa while they vomit in an alley or breaking up fights is not. Don’t be that Santa. You are responsible for yourself! Pace your drinking and be nice to your fellow Santa.

Memorise these answers to important questions that may arise:

  1. Who’s in charge? "Santa!"
  2. What organization are you with? "Santa."
  3. What are you protesting? "We're not protesting we're celebrating."
  4. Why? "Because it's Christmas!"
  5. How did you get here? "A sleigh and eight tiny reindeer."
  6. Where are you going next? "I'm only allowed to tell you if you wear this hat and buy me a beer."