A thought-provoking cartoon published in The Guardian on 23 December 2025 has cast a fresh, sceptical light on a beloved Christmas tradition. The illustration, by the noted cartoonist First Dog on the Moon, poses a simple yet piercing question about Santa Claus's famous festive inventory: if he's making a list and checking it twice, then who is responsible for checking the checker?
The Core of the Festive Conundrum
The cartoon visually centres on the iconic figure of Santa Claus, deeply engrossed in his monumental task. He is meticulously scrutinising his lengthy scroll, a symbol of annual judgement that determines who receives gifts. The genius of the artwork lies in its implication. It moves beyond the familiar rhyme to interrogate the systems of power and review we often take for granted. In an era where transparency and accountability are demanded of every institution, the cartoon suggests that even the North Pole's operations might not be above scrutiny.
The publication date, 23 December 2025, places this satire squarely in the pre-Christmas news cycle, offering a moment of reflective humour amidst the seasonal frenzy. The piece cleverly uses the universal language of Christmas myth to probe deeper themes of governance, oversight, and the potential for unchecked authority, no matter how benevolently intended.
Broader Implications Beyond the Tinsel
While ostensibly about Santa's list, the cartoon's resonance is deliberately contemporary. It functions as a gentle but sharp allegory for modern political and corporate culture. The question "who checks the checker?" echoes concerns about regulatory bodies, audit processes, and the mechanisms that hold powerful figures to account. Is there a proper process for appeal if you find yourself on the naughty list? What are the criteria, and who sets them?
This is not merely a childish query but a foundational question for any system of judgement. The artwork by First Dog on the Moon, known for its layered commentary, invites viewers to laugh while considering the robustness of the systems we trust. It highlights a universal anxiety: the desire for fairness and the fear of arbitrary decision-making, even when dressed in a red suit and beard.
A Lasting Question for the Holiday Season
The cartoon's enduring power is its ability to distill a complex issue into a single, memorable image linked to a shared cultural reference. It doesn't provide answers but instead plants a seed of doubt and curiosity. In doing so, it transforms a simple Christmas tradition into a conversation starter about accountability.
As families gather and children await the arrival of Saint Nicholas, the cartoon offers a moment for adults to ponder. It reminds us that in stories, as in life, the mechanisms of reward and punishment deserve a second look. The work stands as a testament to the role of satire in holding a mirror to society, using the festive season's iconography to reflect on perennial questions of power, justice, and who gets to decide. Ultimately, it suggests that in a world craving transparency, no list, however magical, should be beyond question.
