Calvin ponders the nature of Santa Claus, how he passes judgement on children, and if he even exists.
Tropes
- Agony of the Feet: Happens to Calvin's dad who drops a large, heavy present on his foot.
- Angrish: Calvin's dad after dropping a present on his foot: “Slippin' rippin' dang fang rotten zarg barg-a-ding-dong!”
- Crisis of Faith: Calvin questions the existence of Santa Claus, doubting some of the more outlandish elements of his story and wondering why he doesn't just reveal himself to dispel all doubt. Hobbes points out that Christmas is a religious holiday, so taking some things on faith is to be expected, but Calvin says he has the same questions about God.
- Description Cut: Hobbes tells Calvin that Santa's downstairs and he's saying something. The next panel shows Calvin's dad mumbling in pain from dropping a present on his foot.
- Happy Ending: Despite his concerns about his own dubious behavior and his questions about the existence of Santa Claus costing him presents, Calvin ultimately does get his gifts on Christmas.
- Hurt Foot Hop: Calvin's dad jumps in the air after dropping a present on his foot.
- Never My Fault: Calvin makes several claims about Santa. He asks how Santa can judge a good kid from a bad one, hypothesizes what would happen if a kid tries to be good but bad things keep happening and wonders if a kid can just be bad for not believing in Santa. If Calvin's comments are taken at face value, then his misdeeds he committed in 1987 don't help his case. That year, he called Susie "booger brain", tried to steal a license plate, faked amnesia as an excuse to get out of doing homework, procrastinated on an oral report, mooned his class, ran away from home twice and reported his babysitter as a hostage taker. Hobbes drives the point across when Calvin thinks he may be on the bad list.Hobbes: Personally, I'd think that if you weren't on the bad list all along, this wouldn't push you over.
Calvin: Thanks for the comfort, eggnog brain.
Hobbes: See? See why you're on the bad list? Insults! - Santa's Existence Clause: Subverted. Calvin and Hobbes hear what they think is Santa, but the next panel shows Calvin's parents putting presents by the tree.
