Happy Holidays From the 271 Blog!

U.S. Patent 7,258,592 - "Santa Claus visit kit"

1. A kit for creating an illusion that suggests a Santa Claus visit in a premises, said kit comprising:

a) items revealed to a child audience comprising

i) a displayer Christmas diorama that, when assembled, at least partly bounds a region in which small items can be placed, said diorama having a plurality of panels, a first image being imprinted on one of said panels;

ii) amusement items for use by at least a member of said child audience in carrying out steps that said child audience is invited to believe will assist Santa Claus in making said visit; and

b) items at least temporarily concealed from the child audience, said concealed items comprising means for making boot print resembling marks to mark an illusionary trail of Santa Claus in said premises and a card having a second image, the second image being similar to the first image but also containing a representation of Santa Claus.

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The 271 will be taking a short break over the holidays to experiment with single malt scotch from Japan (yes, Japan - the country is now the second largest producer of single malt in the world), drinking a toast to Franklin Pierce (the first president to decorate an official White House Christmas tree), and finally getting around to making "figgy pudding" (link) after all those years wondering what the heck Bing Crosby was singing about . . .

Cheers!