Northern Michigan Voices is a series by 9&10 News reporter Olivia Fellows in which she interviews a person in the community about a story from their life. Everyone has an interesting story to tell, and we want to give you a voice, Northern Michigan! To submit your own story pitch, see the bottom of this article for more details.
In this edition, Olivia talks to the jolly man himself, Santa Claus, about how he is preparing for the holidays and readying his sleigh for gifts.
Q: What is your favorite part of getting ready for Christmas?
SANTA: I enjoy getting ready to see all the children and making the adults into children through the magic of Christmas, just to greet them and to remind them of, you know, Christmas Past.
Q: How do you keep your sleigh in tip-top shape for the long journey around the world?
SANTA: I have the elves to take care of that for me they polish it. They make sure that the runners are ready to go, firmly attached and wax it all up. They’ll make sure that the harnesses are all ready to go, and the bells are all shined and ready to ring. Thy also ensure that the sleigh area is good for the bag of toys.
Q: Are there any differences in the way you do things when you visit big cities versus smaller towns, like Traverse City or some of the small towns in Northern Michigan?
SANTA: The biggest difference is it’s a little bit more challenging to deliver the presence in the big cities because of the high rises and the lack of chimneys. I do have secret ways that I managed to get those toys in for the children in all of those areas.
Q: I‘m sure it must be hard to keep track of all the new children that are being added to your naughty and nice list. Can you tell me a little bit about how you prepare, getting presents to the younger additions to the list?
SANTA: There are new ones always coming on the list. But of course, people grow older and they they no longer are on the list so the list just constantly rotates, and the naughty list is much smaller than both people think it is.
Q: After Christmas is over, do you ever get to take a vacation? If so, where does Santa like to go on vacation after all the work is done?
SANTA: Yes, I do get to take a vacation. It’s not very long, because it’s time to start getting ready for the next year. I could be on vacation almost anywhere, it just depends on what Mrs. Claus and I decide we want to do that year, but we always go someplace new.
Q: What do the reindeer like to do once their work is done for the Christmas season?
SANTA: They like to take a vacation as well. Of course, the North Pole is rather large, and they roam freely once Christmas is over, they’re allowed to roam. The reindeer barn stays open for him to come back to at any time, and there’s always food there for them. But they usually disappear out into the forest in the North Pole, and they’re gone for weeks or months at a time, but they know when to come home.
Q: Do you have a favorite Christmas tradition, either at the North Pole or elsewhere?
SANTA: I love just gathering with family and friends to enjoy the Christmas season. My family is quite large, and it’s ever-growing, and because we’re always welcoming new members into the family I really don’t have a number on it. I couldn’t even guess at the number.
Q: Do you have any tips whether it’s children or adults on how to stay off of the naughty list for the holidays?
SANTA: Remember one thing, It’s the naughty and nice list. It’s not the good and bad list. Some people like to confuse that, and there’s a difference. Most people know what they need to do to be nice. Everyone has options when making a decision, and everybody has to make the decision that’s right for them, but it’s very easy to make the right decision to stay on the nice list.
Q: I know a lot of kids are getting ready to come and visit you and tell you what they want for Christmas. Do you have any advice for them on the best way to do that, if any?
SANTA: The biggest thing is don’t come in with a list that’s a mile long, pick your favorite items that you want to tell me that you’d like so that I can actually get you something that you want. The other thing to remember is, I do not bring live animals. It’s too cold in the sleigh, and I don’t know for sure if everybody’s family is prepared for a live animal so that’s something you need to discuss with mom and dad. They’re the ones that could get the live animal, and then you can ask me for toys or something else. The other big thing is I often can’t bring cell phones, that’s another mom and dad item. I bought cell phones one year when they first started coming out, and when Mrs. Claus got the phone bill that year I got in a lot of trouble. So, I don’t bring cell phones.
Q: What’s your advice for anyone, whether young or old, who wants to keep the Christmas spirit alive all year round?
SANTA: Remember the Christmas Spirit lives in the heart. So, as long as you keep it in your heart, you’ll have it all year long. I am wishing a Merry Christmas to everyone. Be looking for me in the sky on Christmas Eve.
______
Have an interesting story of your own? Email Olivia and provide a brief summary of your story, and we will contact you if we’d like to tell your tale. We’re interested in all sorts of stories, too! Sad, happy, exhilarating, inspiring or educational— we’d like to know about your story and share it with the community!
Note: We will ask for photos as well (or take one if possible), it helps immensely if you can have pictures ready.