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As the stress of December slowly morphs into a uneasy Yuletide haze of caloric shock and tolerating relatives, what better time to dive into Canada’s rich offering of public domain photographs to reflect on Christmases past? But not to worry; we left out all the boring photographs of staid Torontonians raising toasts or whatever. Below, find a gallery documenting the utter Yuletide madness of how a frozen country celebrates Christmas.

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ATTACK OF THE CLOWN BARBERS

Although we now call the police at the first sign of a “creepy clown,” Canadians once had a much higher tolerance for unsettling images. This is a Christmas card from about 100 years ago depicting a Tarantino-esque scene of jester torture. The unnamed victim is being taunted with comically large blades and having his face slathered with toxic paste. In a caption that seems vaguely threatening, the card reads “May you keep up your Heart under all trials this festive Season.”

SANTA NEEDS A DRINK

Before Coca-Cola solidified our modern image of a red-suited Santa Claus, depictions of Father Christmas were less “Jolly Old Elf” and more “Mysterious Drifter.” The particular image, originally published in the Ottawa Free Press, depicts a Mr. D. Hill in full Saint Nicholas garb as he arrives for the 1876 Grand Fancy Ball hosted by the Governor General of Canada. Oddly, the ball took place in February.