Interview with Santa

Good news, boys and girls. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, the elves and the reindeer all avoided COVID-19 during the raging global pandemic in 2020 and Santa be making his normal world-wide rounds on Christmas Eve. Whew! The News arranged to speak to Santa over Zoom during a recent break as he oversaw toy and electronics production in the massive workshop on the Claus and Co. compound at the North Pole. The News:

First off, Santa, it’s so good to see you’re healthy and ready to zip around the world on Christmas Eve once again. Believe me, some youngsters, even some in Medicine Hat, were worried that you might be laid up.

Santa Claus:

Oh, no. Ho, ho, ho. Mrs. Claus and I took every precaution possible, from mask wearing, to hand-washing, to social distancing. We spaced out the work stations so the elves could work effectively, and safely. And they got a lot more work done, too. Because they weren’t so close together, there wasn’t a lot of kibitzing and jabbering and other distractions going on. They got up in the morning, got down to work, did their 16 hours, had supper and went to bed. So our toy and game production was well ahead of schedule this year.

The News:

It must have been difficult, though. You kept hearing about events being cancelled, such as the Olympic Games, and people being told to stay home. Did it ever cross your mind that Christmas would be cancelled, too?

Santa:

Well, this is nothing to ho-hoho about at all, because it’s the most serious situation to affect the world since I’ve been alive — and I’m 764 years old, don’t forget — but Christmas would never be cancelled. You see, the spirit of Christmas is stronger than anything, pandemic included. The spirit of Christmas isn’t something you can buy at the store, or hold in your hand. The spirit of Christmas is the belief that people in the world are generally good, and kind. The spirit of Christmas stresses the need to treat other people well, to give them a smile and a kind word. The spirit of Christmas isn’t something you can wrap up. It’s just there. It’s offering to help your Mom with some housecleaning. It’s maybe shovelling snow for an elderly neighbour. It’s remembering to clean your bedroom — without being asked. It’s simply being a good person, 365 days a year, and not even a pandemic can get in the way of that. So no, nothing was going to cancel Christmas.

The News:

But things ARE different this year, aren’t they, Santa?

Santa:

Oh yes, most definitely. I’ve have to rein in my thousands of assistants around the world. They normally represent me in shopping malls and Christmas parties and they take notes from little boys and girls before passing on the information to me. I’ve had to tell my assistants — for health reasons — to take a year off, but they’ll be back next year. In the meantime, I’m depending more and more on letters directly to me, reminding me what’s on children’s wishlists.

The News;

And what are the most popular requests this year, Santa?

Santa:

Little girls are asking for the Barbie Colour Reveal Slumber Party and the WowWee Pinkfong Baby Shark Official Song Doll. I’ve found over the last couple of hundred years that you can’t go wrong with dolls of any kind. Girls are also asking for educational toys and play sets. For boys, toy vehicles, like bulldozers and model trains, are popular again, as well as action figures, such as superheroes or giant robots. And if you think Lego is fading from popularity, you’re as mistaken as predictions of a hot, balmy winter at the North Pole. I’ve also got the normal supply of toboggans, skates, toques and X-Box ensembles ready to deliver, too.

The News:

How did Mrs. Claus cope with the unusual health situation in 2020?

Santa:

Oh, she was her usual organized self. She made sure the elves were in good health, making sure they had lots of sanitizer in the workshop. She did tons of baking this year and, heh, heh, I may have packed on a couple of extra pounds this year as a result. In early November, in fact, Mrs. Claus sat down at the sewing machine and gave my red suit a little more room in the middle, if you know what I mean. Man, that lady can bake. She’s talented in a number of other ways, too.

The News:

Did you receive any letters from boys and girls in southeastern Alberta?

Santa:

Oh, yes, I always do. Some may call it the ‘forgotten corner’ but it’s an area of the world I can never forget. How can you forget about the little boy who lives in Crescent Heights who wants only for his grandpa to get well after a stay in the hospital? How can you forget the little girl from Seven Persons who wrote to me with a heartfelt note about a classmate who was worried her parents might not be able to afford anything for Christmas. She doesn’t have to worry about her friend; I’ll make sure her dreams are fulfilled. How can you forget about the nine-year-old from the Ross Glen area who wrote to me and asked that all he wanted for Christmas was a year without the pandemic. I’ve got magical powers, we all know that, but not even I have power over this monstrosity that’s done so much damage to the world.

The News:

What plans do you have for Christmas Eve this year, Santa? Anything different?

Santa:

Oh, no, same old, same old. Isn’t that what they say? Rudolph’s red nose has been shined up, because without that bright light leading the sleigh, I’d probably get off course. The reindeer have all been fed, and regularly exercised, so they’ll have lots of energy to go the full route. The elves are packing my big sacks as we speak, and Mrs. Claus has packed me a number of nice little snacks to eat every couple of hours. Believe me, when you’re flying into Tokyo, and then planning to cross the ocean, you need some food in your belly. And I’ve got a belly, believe me. Ho, ho, ho.

The News:

Any parting words, Santa?

Santa:

Well, normally I’d just say “ho, ho, ho and Merry Christmas to all” but this year, I’m going to add a little more: Please do what you can to stay healthy. Wash your hands regularly. Avoid large gatherings. And — ho, ho, ho — the vaccine is on the way.