Named after its founder, John Christmas, Christmasville is unusual in that it does not lean into its holiday-themed name in the slightest. There are no year-round holiday decorations, no tree farms, and the local Santa only works two weeks per year as is traditional. Many attribute this attitude to the longtime mayor William Christmas III, who was in office for nearly 40 years. A deeply religious man, he nevertheless disdained seasonal trappings as the crass commercialization of what ought to be a solemn and dignified holiday. When asked about his town’s lack of Christmas shush, Mayor Christmas would always remark that there were hundreds of other cities trying to be Christmas City USA and no hope of beating them; the only option was to be a good town and leave Christmas in the hands of the Lord.

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