The Man. The Myth. The Legend.

Aside from the birthday boy Jesus Himself, he’s the white bearded image that represents the picture of Christmas as we all know it.

Saint Nicholas, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, Pere Noel (Belgium and France), Weihnachtsmann (“Christmas man,” Germany), Kanakaloka (Hawaii), Hoteiosho (Japan), Ded Moroz (“Grandfather Frost,” Russia), as well as the many other names he’s known by, children around the world look forward all year long to his December 24^th visits!

During a recent trip to my granddaughter’s kindergarten class, we began talking about Mr. Claus and some questions we might ask him if we ever had the chance.

I’ll admit, the questions the kindergarteners came up with were pretty good, so I began to jot them down.

And then, I had an idea…

Now, it just so happens that for the past twenty-three years, our community has had the privilege each December of hosting (the REAL Mc Coy) THE ONE-and-ONLY, Santa Claus.

a 2003 visit with Santa

I dug through my files and came across his number, (you know, because EVERY parent is given his contact info once their first child is born…) and I called him. I wasn’t really expecting Santa to have the time this close to Christmas to do an interview, but once he heard about the inquisitive children and their questions, he didn’t hesitate!

So, with the help of a very special kindergarten class, I give you,

Santa Claus: The Interview

Me: “First of all Santa, I would just like to say how honored I am that you took time out of your busy December schedule to chat with me and answer some of the children’s questions! Thank you so so much!”

Knowing Santa’s time now-a-days is pretty valuable, we got right down to business!

“How do you get into a house that doesn’t have a chimney?”

Santa: “Well first of all, I need an invitation to come.

Once I know I’m invited, the love that you have for me then leads me to your house. Once I’m there, and if there’s no chimney, this, (he refers to the ornamental star-shaped pendant that he wears on his bolo tie), serves as my magical master key!

I wear it at all times and it stays right here, close to my heart, because I hold children close to my heart. I wave my magic master key over your door and the love you have for me transforms into magic. The magic opens the door and allows me to come into your house! My magic also allows me to change shapes if I need to, to get into tight spaces!”

“Do you put Christmas lights on your own house?”

Santa: “Oh yes, definitely!!! We decorate a lot at the North Pole and that includes lots of lights!”

“Do the reindeer have their own barn and what do you feed them?”

Santa: “They do have their own barn! There’s not a lot of grass at the North Pole, so the reindeer usually like to eat oats, grain, and hay.”

 

a 2006 visit with Santa

“Can the reindeer talk and read? And how do they fly?”

Santa: “They love stories, and they do talk, but only I can understand them. When Buck comes with me for visits, sometimes you can hear him talk because I use some of my Christmas magic! My magic- which is magic sparkle dust- is made from the love that I gather during my visits. Reindeer normally don’t talk, or fly for that matter, so it takes magic sparkle dust sprinkled on the reindeer, my sleigh, and me too, to do my Christmas Eve flight!”

“Do you wear any other colors besides red and white? And what is your favorite color?”

Santa: “Yes! I do wear green, and there’s brown- the color of my leather hide suspenders, and of course my black boots and belt. I would have to say that my favorite color is green!”

“Does Santa give hugs?”

Santa: “Oh yes! All the time!”

a 2007 visit with Santa

“How do you know what we really want for Christmas?”

Santa: “By your list, of course, I look at your suggestions. I figure out what would be best, and sometimes I have to consult with your parents. Sometimes, you might need something more useful than playful, so I have to balance it all out.”

“How old are your elves, and how can I get a job at the North Pole?”

Santa: “Well I’m a Saint after all, and in order to be a Saint, you have to be ascended into Heaven. I’m well over nine hundred years old! Kinda the same thing with the elves. Most of the elves are between two hundred and three hundred years old.”

“Why do you bring us presents?”

Santa: “Because I love you and that’s one way I express my love for you- it’s an extension of that love. I love to make you happy! Of course, you need to be on the “Good List” also, so it’s like a reward for remaining good all year, too.”

a 2012 visit with Santa

“Can you bring ponies?”

Santa: “Ah, ponies and animals get a little complicated. I first have to have a discussion with your parents about getting the pony, or  puppy, or kitten, or any animal, because your parents have to be in agreement with it. Then, if I get your parent’s approval, I have to find the pony, or dog, or cat near where you live, because ponies and other pets can’t do the sleigh ride very well!” Santa lets out a “Ho, Ho Ho,” chuckle.

“Do the elves make Batmobiles and video games?”

Santa: “If it’s something that someone else has made or created, I have to go out and buy it in a store. Long ago, I used to make and give out socks for everyone, but after a while, that didn’t go over well! Ho, Ho, Ho!” Santa chuckles.

“I used to make all my toys by hand. They were made out of wood and hand painted. Now, when you have things on your lists like Batmobiles, or video games, I have to buy most of those. I have elves that help with the shopping.”

“Do you make posters?”

Santa: “Yes! We used to make all our posters and books, but now, if you ask for a poster or a book that someone else has made, we have to go out and buy those too.”

a 2012 visit with Santa

“How long have you and Mrs. Claus been married?”

Santa: “Well, you know I used to be a Bishop long ago, and when I went to Heaven to become a Saint, I saw a beautiful lady sitting in a rocking chair and knitting. I got to talking to her, and she loved children too! Mrs. Claus came to help me at the North Pole about three hundred years ago! It was definitely a marriage made in Heaven!”

“Is Rudolph a real reindeer?”

Santa: “Why yes! And so are Holly and Buck and all the other reindeer!”

“How old are Rudolph and Holly?”

Santa: “Rudolph is seventy-eight years old. Holly was born twenty-three years ago.”

a 2015 visit with Santa

“I recently moved to the United States. How will you know where to find me?”

Santa: “I keep up with you through my magic master key that I wear on my chest. My master key unlocks lots of things! And it shows me where I can always find you!”

“Do you like to draw?”

Santa: “Oh yes! And paint too! I love all forms of art! I like to play music and I like to write songs and stories too!”

During his time off, Santa plays music as a member of “The Figgy Pudding Band” where he is the drummer.

checking to see if mommy is still on the list, 2017

 

“Do you ever get sick?”

Santa: “I do if I overextend myself, even Santa can get sick! But I try my best, especially this time of year, to take care of myself, to eat healthy foods, and get exercise.”

“Where do you go after Christmas?”

Santa: “I like to go to a mild climate, places like Florida, or the beach. I like to go to places that have water. I don’t get to see a lot of water at the North Pole because everything always stays frozen!”

Photo by Ivy Kingery

“Do you cut your own Christmas tree?”

Santa: “Yes! Since there are no trees in the North Pole, we actually come to a place called Floyd County right around Thanksgiving time and choose a big tree and transport it back to the North Pole! There, we place it in the “Great Hall” and decorate it for our grand Christmas party!”

“Do you eat pancakes?”

Santa: “Ho, Ho, Ho! Why yes! I loveeee pancakes!!! And at the North Pole, we make them from scratch with fresh eggs and butter! We even use real maple syrup!”

“What’s your favorite place to visit around the world?”

Santa: “That’s a hard question. I love being wherever there is natural beauty. I really enjoy visiting natural landmarks. I love the ocean, the wildlife refuge, Sedona, and The Grand Canyon is also very beautiful.”

Photo by Ivy Kingery

“How do you handle the unbelievers?”

Santa: “I can understand why sometimes people don’t believe in me when they see all my helpers at the malls. But, even if they don’t believe in me, I believe in them! And that’s all that really matters to me! More importantly, I want them to believe in themselves!”

 And of course, I had to ask him the most obvious question…

“Ok Santa, here it is, your most-busiest time of the year. Of all places, why do you choose to spend your Decembers here in Roanoke, Virginia?”

Santa: “Well, it all started years ago when I fell asleep, here, in a very special chair. ‘The Christmas Chair’ they called it.”

Santa has actually written a book about his napping experience in the Christmas chair, and how that changed the way he chose to visit with children forever.

 

Photo by Ivy Kingery

He continues, “I got tired of going to all the malls where all I had time for was a quick picture and to hear what was on the children’s lists. I like being able to really visit with them. To sit down and read stories. I like to bring my guitar and sing songs and  Christmas carols, and bring some of my friends from the North Pole with me like “Buck” and “Chocolate” the moose.”

The History Museum of Western Virginia has provided “Fantasyland,” that ideal setting for Santa and his visits, for over twenty years.

Photo by Ivy Kingery

Santa also explains that Roanoke is a special place, with special people, and a special shining star, making it easy to find on his trips from the North Pole.

“Ok Santa, all presents and toys aside, what does Christmas mean to you?”

Santa: “Christmas means to live by example. It goes back to the original Christmas. To live, as best we can, like the Christ Child. To share our love with each other, to help people, and to bring peace here on earth, just as it was described that first Christmas in Bethlehem.”

Santa continues his mission of helping others all year long, through

“The Santa Cares Project.”

The Santa Cares Project is a non-profit organization committed to promoting the spirit of Christmas all year long through educational and creative programs. The Santa Cares Project also provides opportunities for young people to work along-side Santa in organizations such as The Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, The Children’s Network, The Ronald McDonald House, and more.

The Santa Cares Project also offers programs to assist in helping children deal with challenging issues such as illnesses, death, and other difficult situations.

To learn more about Santa, visit his website at santacares.org for more information and to receive his newsletter. Santa also welcomes letters through his email address linked to his site.

Santa adds,

“The spirit of Christmas is something we all have inside of us, but sometimes, we just need to be reminded of it. And that’s what I’m here to do.”

There’s still time to catch a visit with Santa before he departs! For “Fantasyland’ tickets and information contact The History Museum of Western Virginia, (540) 982-5465, for details.