Twas the nude before Christmas

There are very few cities on this planet where one can wander aimlessly through the streets as naked as the day he was born. But if you ever long to experience that freedom and can't afford to visit those nudist-friendly towns, try a little strategic scheduling your naturist stroll: Christmas eve. In many Christan countries, it's the one night when everyone is off the streets and home with family. Those few lost souls who are out and about are liable to be adult men who don't much care if you're naked or not.

That was the situation I decided to try a couple of years ago, in the company of Nakedism's (fully clothed) photographer, Andrew Adam Caldwell. I dropped my shorts and threw off the rest of my clothes for a few photos.

But after being naked for a few minutes, I realized there really wasn't anyone around to care. So I walked directly into and around what would normally be a very busy intersection, as naked as could be, with not even shoes to protect my feet. Sure, it was chilly, but it was exhilarating to have the freedom to wander around major shopping areas, pedestrian malls, and prominent businesses — Macy's, Starbucks, and more — with only the clothes nature gave me.

As we continued this walkabout, we were approached by one apparently homeless man, who asked if we were doing an art project. He seemed unphased and even a little interested or amused at seeing a naked man in the middle of downtown Seattle. And who can blame him? It's not something you see every day.

But no need to leave this fully exposed scene to your imagination. Go directly to the Nakedism photography collection and browse the visual memoir Jingle Bell Cock. Then start planning how you can put the X in your own Xmas eve.