As is becoming traditional, Vladimir Putin celebrated the New Year by giving away puppies to children. The first lucky recipient of a presidential black lab was 6th grader Katya Sheveleva, who wrote to “Esteemed Vladimir Vladimirovich” for a puppy just like his. Over the following weeks, he gave 3 more puppies away to Russian children after allegedly receiving their letters. Russian news became more infatuated when a 10-year-old refugee from Ukraine received a new iPod and notebook computer after writing to “Uncle Putin.”

President Obama’s holiday by comparison was tame. He snorkeled with his kids, ate “shave ice,” and meandered into controversy by eating at an overly expensive restaurant with Michele. Rather than dispensing puppies and iPods, the first couple released a brief video to celebrate “the birth of Jesus” and “our troops, veterans, and their families.” Both dressed formally, and seemed vaguely wary of the idea when they wished everyone a happy New Year.

Admittedly, Putin has more experience with political gift-puppies, beginning his holiday tradition in 2013 when he gave a husky to a family of seven in Russia’s far north. Indeed, he gave Hugo Chavez a terrier in 2012, and shortly before had received two puppies from Japan and Bulgaria, leading some to suggest he open a zoo for all his animals. Although the Obamas’ love of their dogs Bo and Sunny is famed, it pales beside the Russian president’s devotion.

Or perhaps they merely lack Uncle Putin’s penchant for theatrics. His New Year’s address was grandiose—appearing before the Kremlin walls as a backdrop, Putin praised Russian citizens’ “solidarity and continued willingness to defend the interests of Russia.” Wishing everyone a happy New Year, Putin was followed by the national anthem and a panorama of the Kremlin, finally ending on a lone Russian flag, spotlighted, but surrounded by darkness.

A particularly nice photo of President Putin with his gift from the Bulgarian Prime Minister –from http://www.dezinfo.net/chtivo/58955-na-svoe-60-letie-vladimir-putin-obyazatelno-popolnit.html