When it comes to humor, I teach 25 easy-to-use strategies to write jokes, develop humor, and make people laugh.

One of my favorites is something I call “Definitions.”

Simply put, define an object, person, or idea in its most basic form. Distill something down to its essence, choosing only those aspects of its essence that are surprising, amusing, or traditionally unspoken.

This church (pictured above) sign is a perfect example of using a definition to make someone laugh. 

Christmas is many things to many people, but these nine words certainly define it accurately.

Not only is this sign funny, but it’s also instructive. It seeks to say something important that is often forgotten by many. In many ways, it reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Here are three other “Definition” examples related to Christmas:

1. The Christmas tree is a murdered evergreen, placed in water in order to slow its decay and wrapped in electricity, glass, and plastic to disguise the fact that it belongs outdoors.
2. Christmas stockings are socks sized to fit the paws of a small bear and stuffed with trinkets that will almost certainly be lost or tossed or broken long before Groundhog Day.
3. The “Elf on a Shelf” is a creepy little addition to the Christmas season, almost certainly added by suburban parents who didn’t think that Madeline and Tanner were spoiled enough already.

Please note that I adore our Christmas tree and stockings, but that doesn’t mean I can’t also see the absurdity of these traditions, too. We need not despise something in order to see the ridiculousness behind it and make fun of it.

Of course, if you despise something - like the Elf on a Shelf - making fun of it is even more enjoyable.