Just spotted this, this morning: according to Shaunna Morrison Machosky at public radio station DUQ, Cajun Carols: New Orleans Christmas Jazz -- "In New Orleans, December brings only faux snow, so Papa Noel packs his presents on a pirogue (canoe) pulled by alligators. Feux de Joie bonfires are lit along the Mississippi River to light his way to the bayous." (Probably better info at above links...!)

~ Becky in Tucson