Originally authored at December 22, 2007, 4:15pm local time, updated on December 26, 2007, 10:24pm local time

* WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 3460 *One of the strange things I’ve noticed, exclusive (I hope) to Christmastime in Italy is the hanging Santa. I’m not sure why, but every few houses, there is a Santa hanging from the gutter, or on a ladder, or simply on the wall. He’s facing away from the viewer, so all you see is his back and dangling legs. For whatever reason, it’s the decoration of choice, and frankly, it’s ugly, and much akin to the blow up lawn ornaments of suburban America. Sadly, I have not seen the last of them.