The Christmas season always puts me in the mood for awkward fishing trips, and gazing self-importantly into the distance.

(Noel Robinson, Christmas card, circa 1930. Image Courtesy of the Vancouver Archives)

“A Shortcut To A Happy Holiday” - Merry Christmas (And Safe Driving) From Your Friends at the B.C. Distillery Corp.

(British Columbia Distillery Company Christmas Poster, circa 1940s. Image Courtesy of the Vancouver Archives)

Apparently, during a brief period in the 1960s, standard treatment at Children’s Hospital involved being terrorized by a small army of sadistic, cannibal clowns.

(Children’s Hospital, circa 1966. Image Courtesy of the Vancouver Public Library)

The tie is standard issue when you’re “spraying” your friends. Inscription reads: “Here’s hoping you get ‘showered’ with health, wealth and happiness this coming Christmastide and New Year.”

(Stuart Thomson Christmas card, circa 1930s. Image Courtesy of the Vancouver Archives)

“All I Want For Christmas Is To Get Out of These Fucking Heels…” - The Cave decides to turn up the heat for the holidays. After all, what could be sexier than a virgin birth?

(Cave Supper Club, circa 1952. Image Courtesy of the Vancouver Public Library)

The inscription reads: “Christmas Comes but once a year - So we share our cake and ‘Ditch’ our fear. A Merry Christmas from The Birds’ Paradise.”

(Charles E. Jones and Family, circa 1938. Image Courtesy of the Vancouver Archives)