The overworked Santas of the world gather each year in San Francisco to blow off a little steam before their big work night.

Hundreds of Santas swarm from bar to bar through touristy neighborhoods, reminding us that Christmas isn't just about racking up credit card debts to buy worthless trinkets from evil megacorporations; for Santa, Christmas is also about becoming loudly intoxicated and handing out disturbing gifts to bewildered shoppers.

The following photos were taken at San Francisco Santacon 2003; see previous SantaCon photos here and here. More coverage of this year's Con here and here.