MATT DRISCOLL: MY SECOND SANTARCHY >>>

Like false winter storm watches and Black Velvet on Pappi Swarner’s breath, some things just go with the season.

And it tis the season to be jolly, in case you haven’t heard.

That’s right. It’s the holidays once again, meaning the malls are packed with desperate consumers and credit card balances are reaching for the heavens.

It means it’s also time for Santarchy â€" which in Tacoma is taking place as we speak.

In case you didn’t catch on last year â€" when Tacoma held its first annual Santarchy shindig â€" Santarchy is a now 15 year old celebration that began in San Francisco. Back in 1993, a pack of Christmas rebels dressed in Santa attire brought bags of havoc to local bars. It was such a good idea (and good time, I presume) that a tradition was started. 15 years later that tradition has turned into a worldwide phenomenon. Not only did Tacoma hold its first ever Santarchy celebration last year, but bigger cities like Seattle and Portland have regularly held similar (lamer) Santarchy get-togethers.

Santarchy, at its core, is something of a big F-U to all the things that suck about Christmas. The commercialization. The shopping. The faux religious fervor. Santarchy (combining big fat St. Nick with a heaping helping of anarchy) is the non-believer’s answer.

It’s also a great chance to get loaded, as many a Santa is doing as we speak. The madness started at the Swiss tonight at 6:30 p.m. â€" and thanks to two rented buses â€" the Santas will continue a path of drunkenness all night long. Be on the look out for some of these inebriated Kris Kringles if you’re out and about tonight.

And remember: He knows if you’ve been drinking, and he knows if you are tanked. He knows if you drink beer or wine, so just chug for goodness sake.

LINK: Previously on Spew