Today’s Film: The Santa Clause
The Santa Clause stars Tim Allen as Scott Calvin, a divorced marketing executive who accidentally causes Santa Claus to fall from his roof to his death on Christmas Eve. When he and his young son, Charlie, finish the late St. Nick’s deliveries and are taken to the North Pole, Scott learns that he must become the new Santa and convince those he loves that he is indeed Santa Claus. Scott Calvin is definitely not what comes to mind when you think of Father Christmas, but by the end he embodies the role wonderfully. The imaginative design of the North Pole and the fun quirks of Scott’s journey to being Santa are what make this a great Christmas film.
Today’s Tradition: Gälve Goat,Sweden
The Gävle Goat is a traditional Christmas display erected annually at Slottstorget (Castle Square) in central Gävle, Sweden. The display is a giant version of a traditional Swedish Yule goat figure made of straw. It is erected each year by local community groups at the beginning of Advent over a period of two days. The goat has been burned to the ground most years since its first appearance in 1966. As of November 2025, 42 out of 59 goats have been destroyed or damaged in some way. This is often believed to be a part of the celebration but it is in fact an illegal act of arson. The offence normally carries a 3-month prison sentence.
