Life — December 7, 1928 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is the cover of *Life* magazine's Christmas issue. The sketch shows two elderly figures with exaggerated, somewhat wizened features looking at what appears to be a document or letter together. The caption reads: "Well—we believe in Santa Claus." The satire likely targets adult credulity or naiveté during the Christmas season. Rather than depicting children's innocent belief in Santa, the cartoon mocks older people maintaining faith in Santa—possibly suggesting they're gullible about holiday commercial appeals, charitable giving expectations, or other seasonal "cons." The worn, skeptical faces contrasted with their stated belief creates the humorous irony: these worldly-looking individuals claim to believe in something patently fictional, suggesting Christmas brings out foolishness in everyone.