I totally disagree, Flyertalk Santa has been a tradition on Flyertalk for over a decade. It has everything to do with Flyertalk and building community.

I am sorry that you find it so offensive, but just having the icon has gotten out to several people and they have joined the event for the first time in the past week.

Do you also hate the "I voted" icon or the "Company Representative" or "Moderator" that occurs under member names? Or how about Announcements that appear on every page?

There are ways to "ad-block" what you do not want to see.