Last night was another successful journey around the world. I hit some tough cross winds over the Himalayas and took a brief detour. Thanks to some helpful sherpas, I found my way back to my charted course. The pageantry, music, and decorations around the world were just breathtaking. And there’s an amazing hush that falls over the cities, towns, and villages in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Families and friends reunite. And the fighting has stopped on battlegrounds. For just this very brief time, there is peace and goodwill around the globe. And I know it’s not because of the presents I put under the tree or the stockings filled with treats. The magic of Christmas lives in the heartfelt wishes for joy, peace, and love. I bring gifts wrapped in pretty papers and ribbons, but it’s each of you that gives far more than I could ever do. Find the love in your heart and pass it on. Merry Christmas to all! May all your days be as joyous as this one!
!
P.S. - Merry Christmas! and Happy Birthday Jesus. Remember to post your holiday pictures in our photo gallery. I will personally respond to all of them.
P.P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
The big day — or should I say “night” — is finally here!! It’s time to load up my sleigh with all of the gifts I’ll be delivering tonight. I can’t begin to tell you the excitement here. The Quality Control Elves are doing a final check of last-minute requests and making sure all lists have been checked twice. We don’t want to miss anyone on this important journey. Meanwhile, the kitchen crew is preparing my picnic. Yes, even though I get lots of milk and cookies, they always pack sandwiches, fruit, and plenty of hot chocolate (made my favorite way: a pinch of cinnamon, a touch of vanilla, extra marshmallows, and a candy cane to stir it with). Plus, I carry lots of carrots for my hard-working reindeer team. Got to run now…I mean, FLY!
P.S. - Merry Christmas! Remember to celebrate Jesus's birthday - Happy Birthday Jesus.
P.P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
Everyone knows that I have a special fondness for food, particularly the sweet stuff! As much as I welcome the many types of cookies that wait for me at the homes I visit, I also like the variety of foods that people serve for their Christmas Eve celebrations. The Slovaks celebrate with a special feast known as “Stedry Vecer”. The Japanese people, who only began celebrating Christmas less than a century ago, enjoy strawberry shortcake, topped with a plastic fir tree, while they wait for a visit from “Uncle Chimney”. In the southern hemisphere, where the weather is warm at Christmas, their bountiful feast is filled with fruits and veggies from the recent summer harvest. The Danish menu on Christmas Eve includes almond porridge, stuffed duck, pork, red cabbage, and candied potatoes. The Armenians follow the menu of Mary’s very meager meal: fried fish and spinach. And the French, who are known for their incredible food, enjoy a sumptuous feast after midnight that is finished with the traditional Buche de Noel, a very sweet cake. What will YOU be dining on this Christmas Eve?
P.S. - I'd love to hear and see pictures about your Christmas eve celebrations. Remember to post them in the picture gallery.
P.P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
If you’ve followed this blog, you’ve read my reminders that Christmas is not about getting presents. Yes, it’s MY job to grant wishes and bring gifts to my “Nice List” friends on Christmas Eve. But Christmas is a Christian holiday, celebrating the birth of Jesus. All around the world, this holiday brings to light the love and joy that lives in the hearts of people from many faiths. I see kindness, patience, and generosity during this season. It seems that the reminder of the goodness in people is especially powerful. So, I wonder, what would it take to keep Christmas in your heart all year ‘round? And why does it come easily in December and then forgotten in January? When you start thinking about your New Year’s resolutions, why not resolve to live with the spirit of Christmas for more than a few weeks a month.
P.S. - I'd love to hear about your plans for keeping the Christmas spirit all year long?
P.P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
I received a letter from a little girl who asked me what I want for Christmas. She decided that I should have gifts under my own tree after such a busy night delivering to everyone else around the world. Well, Amanda, I must say that I am touched by your thoughtfulness, which is why you are still on my “Nice” list! And I can also tell you that I truly enjoy giving. It is not my job to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve, but it’s my pleasure! On Christmas morning, after I catch a quick nap after my long travels, Mrs. Claus and I join the elves around our great, big family Christmas tree and, I assure you, there are plenty of gifts for Santa there! I particularly enjoy the boxes of sweet treats and the warm socks that Mrs. Claus knits for me every year. Amanda, if you really want to know what I want for Christmas, it’s quite simple: I want everyone to give as much as they get, to share the joy and be kind to others. That gift of selfless caring is even better than my treasured chocolates and handknit socks (but don’t tell Mrs. Claus!).
P.S. - The Big Birthday Party is coming soon! Have you planned your
party for Jesus yet?
P.P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
What happens when your child begins to doubt my existence? It’s sad, but the time comes when youngsters hear from their friends, their siblings, or even shows on television that Santa Claus doesn’t exist. I know when it’s happening, because I see names dissolve from my list as excited believers become disappointed non-believers. Please let your child know that Santa exists inside of everyone who welcomes the spirit of this season of love, joy, and giving. And I would recommend reading them The Polar Express, a wonderful holiday story by Chris Van Allsburg. This heartwarming tale of a boy’s journey to the North Pole is one of my all-time favorites and really captures the magic of Christmas. Read it with children or just re-read it yourself every year to remind yourself about the power of belief!
Love,
Santa
P.S. - The Big Birthday Party is coming soon! Have you planned your
party for Jesus yet?
P.P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
Every Christmas season, youngsters around the world visit Santa for the first time. And lots of these children look at me like I’m a scary alien! At the least, I have a child on my lap who can’t utter a single wish. At worst, there are lots of tears and panic that make everyone unhappy. I know that climbing up on the lap of a stranger in a bright red suit sitting up on a chair that looks like a throne can seem like pretty scary thing to do. If you’re one of those adults planning to introduce a child to me (Santa) this year, let me suggest that you talk to the youngster beforehand. Show them some photos of me and talk to them about what to expect. They should know that it’s okay for them to sit on this particular stranger’s lap, because mom or dad is right there with them. Ask them in advance if they are comfortable with the idea. Let them watch the other children taking their turns sitting on my lap. And, PLEASE, don’t ever force them to sit on my lap. Bring them close enough to let me say “ho ho ho” and wait ‘til next year!
I would love to see your moments with me. Please post your Santa pictures in my
photo gallery.
I will view them all and comment.
Love,
Santa
P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
With mp3 players so popular, more people are enjoying music on the go, dancing and singing wherever they go. This is like modern-day caroling! So why not channel your holiday spirit and the joy of music and organize a caroling group? Take your friends, family, neighbors, and anyone who wants to sing. Wander through your town, visit an elderly community, serenade the patients in the hospital. Make a party out of it. Start a family tradition. After an afternoon or evening spent singing carols, you’ll not only spread the spirit of the season to your listeners, but you’ll give yourself a hearty helping of “feel good” — something you can never get enough of!
Giving of yourself (voice included) is joyous Santa guaranteed!
Love,
Santa
P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that snickerdoodles are one of my favorite cookies. Since then, I’ve been getting lots of requests for The North Pole recipe. Betty Cricket, our Chief Cookie Elf, shared her recipe — which makes 1,000 cookies. I did a little math (yes, math does come in handy) to give you a more reasonable recipe.
Ingredients:
½ cup shortening
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Cream together the shortening, butter/margarine, and 1½ cups of sugar. Blend in the eggs. In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients into the creamed mixture. Refrigerate dough for at least two hours. Preheat oven to 375°F (190° C). In a separate bowl, stir together the 2 tablespoons of sugar and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon. Roll the dough into balls approximately 1½ inches in diameter. Roll each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are slightly golden brown. Remove and let cool on a wire rack.
Makes about 3 dozen cookies.
Giving of yourself (cookies included) is joyous Santa guaranteed!
Love,
Santa
P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
Unless you’ve been living on a deserted island for almost 70 years, you probably know the story of my lead reindeer, Rudolph. His shiny, red nose helped me deliver my Christmas gifts when the thick fog one Christmas Eve made it impossible to see where I was going! Back in 1939, an advertising copywriter in Chicago named Robert May first told the story to the world. His version differs a bit from the popular one, where Rudolph grew up here on the North Pole and was teased by the other reindeer. In fact, Rudolph grew up in a reindeer village far from here, and was accepted and loved by his family. It was my luck to see his bright nose that foggy Christmas Eve when I brought presents to his home. If you want to share the real story of Rudolph with children this year, look for a copy of the book by Robert L. May.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 
Giving of yourself is joyous Santa guaranteed!
Love,
Santa
P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
The snowy image of a White Christmas is the picture postcard version of the perfect holiday scene. We are always guaranteed of this winter wonderland here at the North Pole every Christmas … and just about every day of the year! But this year, I’m asking everyone to turn their thoughts to a “greener” holiday. Did you know that in the United States alone, the trash just from wrapping paper and shopping bags totals four million tons?? And the garbage thrown away increases 25 percent between Thanksgiving and Christmas! Everyone loves the beautiful packages on Christmas Day — that’s part of the joy. But here’s a thought: When you go Christmas shopping, take along leftover bags or your own canvas tote and put your purchases in there, rather than getting a bag at every store. Then, think about buying recyclable gift wrap, or using the colorful comics from the Sunday newspaper. Then you can put a note on the card that says, “Your gift also includes recyclable wrapping. Please be sure to recycle!”
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle this Christmas.
Love,
Santa
P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
I was talking to a little girl at a mall recently who said her family has a holiday tradition of “paying it forward”. She said it started when they were traveling to her grandma’s house and when they stopped at the toll booth, her dad paid the toll for the next three cars behind them. He asked the toll collector to just ask those drivers who received this favor to do a favor in return for someone else. This youngster said their “pay it forward” has also included giving a five-gallon jug of gasoline to a stranded motorist. They also went to a mall one snowy day and cleaned the windshields of all of the cars in the handicapped spaces. They put a card in the wiper that explained their “pay it forward” request. If everyone did little things for others, what a BIG difference it would make!
Giving of yourself is joyous Santa guaranteed!
Love,
Santa
P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
I admit it. I love candy canes. While you see them only at the holidays, I keep a supply here year ‘round. I stir my cocoa with them. I crumble them for a crunchy topping on ice cream. And they just look so festive! Now I know there are many stories about this wonderful “invention” but I want to give you the inside scoop as I remember it. The first candy cane was created in Germany, around 1670. The sugar sticks were bent to the shape of a shepherd’s hook. The sweet confections were given to the young members of a choir to keep them quiet during the Christmas services. Today, over 1.76 billion candy canes are made — enough to make 32 candy cane lines from Santa Claus, Indiana, to North Pole, Alaska, and back again!!
Til tomorrow.
Love,
Santa
P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
One of the most common questions I am asked is, “How do you get to so many homes around the world in just one night?” Well, the magic of Christmas speeds me through the night — and 24 time zones! “Santa Savings Time” works a little differently than your clock, much like you’ve heard people talk about “dog years”. If one year of a dog is equivalent to about seven years for a person, you can understand that one minute of ordinary time becomes much longer for me on Christmas Eve. It feels like I am moving at a normal speed but it’s lightning quick in the eyes of the people here on Earth, allowing me to visit 823 homes in one of your seconds! This is probably why so many people don’t see me when I drop in. What seems to last five or ten minutes as I lay the gifts under the tree is actually only the flash of an instant. In one moment, there’s a plate of cookies by the tree. Then blink, and they’re gone — and so am I! Merry Christmas to all!!.
Love,
Santa
P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.
Christmas (Jesus's Birthday) is celebrated all around the world, which is why I have so many homes to visit on Christmas Eve! And everywhere I go, there are greetings in different languages. Even in the United States, there are many ways to say “Merry Christmas” in native languages. In Hawaii, I’m welcomed with “Mele Kalikimaka!” The Inuit Eskimos in Alaska say, “Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!” Members of Choctaw Nation say “Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito”, the Cree say, “Mitho Makosi Kesikansi”, the Navajo say, “Ya'at'eeh Keshmish" and the Iroquois have a much longer phrase: “Ojenyunyat Sungwiyadeson honungradon nagwutut. Ojenyunyat osrasay!” In later posts, I will share holiday greetings from other parts of the world.
Do you have a greating that you want me to share with the world?
Til tomorrow! Keep up the good work.
Love,
Santa
P.S. - Are you my helper? Can you help make a difference in someone's life, today, this holiday, and everyday?
Kids - Come check out The North Pole's Christmas fun page.
Adults - Find out what the North Pole Mission is.