At this time of year, it’s easy for young children to become confused by seeing many different Santas at locations everywhere. These men are more than just Santa’s helpers. They are all related. The original Santa has many brothers, cousins, and children. They all take their family relationship and their responsibilities seriously. Recently, The Review caught up with the Santa who greets little children at Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk. He is a third cousin removed from St. Nick and in between helping out the main Santa on the North Pole, he listens to what youngsters really want for Christmas.
At this time of year, it’s easy for young children to become confused by seeing many different Santas at locations everywhere. These men are more than just Santa’s helpers. They are all related. The original Santa has many brothers, cousins, and children. They all take their family relationship and their responsibilities seriously. Recently, The Review caught up with the Santa who greets little children at Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk. He is a third cousin removed from St. Nick and in between helping out the main Santa on the North Pole, he listens to what youngsters really want for Christmas.
JGR: So Santa, How are things going this Christmas?
Santa: Oh, ho, ho, ho. Very well, Thank you.
JGR: I understand you come from a long line of Santas.
Santa: Absolutely. We’re the only ones allowed to wear the official Santa suit.
JGR: I see that you have a lot of children coming to you this year. How many do you see a day.
Santa: Oh, I see a few hundred every day.
JGR: I know you’ve been doing this for a very long time, but do you ever get tired of kids jumping on and off your lap all day?
Santa: Ho, ho, ho. I never tire of children. I love them one and all.
JGR: So what are most of the children asking for this year? And are their requests different from any other year?
Santa: Well, I see a lot of children are asking for computers. That’s something they didn’t ask for years ago. A lot of little girls, however, are still asking for the American Girl dolls. They’re very popular.
JGR: So tell me, what do you do to get the reindeer ready for their big journey?
Santa: Well the elves and I have been feeding them a lot of carrots and veggies. They need to be healthy so we make sure they eat all the good foods.
JGR: Santa, does Rudolph ever get lost. I heard that a long time ago, he actually got lost. Does his red nose really help?
Santa: Oh yes, and now we have installed a brand new GPS on the sleigh, so we won’t have any trouble this year.
JGR: What about the elves? I’m sure they must be overworked at this time of year. What do you do to keep them healthy and happy?
Santa: Well they eat a lot of veggies, too. The thing is that they love candy canes. The elves can’t get enough of them. That does give them plenty of energy.
JGR: Not only do they keep long hours in the toy workshop, but I hear they’re working overtime on some special project?
Santa: Ho, ho, ho. That’s right. Every year on Christmas Day, all of the Santas all over the world come together for a big family reunion at the North Pole. The elves help all the Mrs. Clauses prepare everything for the party; then everyone joins in on the fun, too.
JGR: I understand that most children leave you cookies and milk on Christmas Eve. Do you really eat all of them?
Santa: Oh yes. I eat them all. I know how to pace myself and don’t forget, I have a lot of territory to cover.
JGR: What about the weather? Is it easier for you to get around when there’s no snow? Do heavy snows slow you down?
Santa: No, no. The weather doesn’t make any difference.
JGR: Santa, what would you like me to tell all the girls and boys out there?
Santa: Tell them that they should always have Christmas in their hearts and that they should stay healthy and happy.
After speaking to Santa, I got a chance to talk with Christine Arnette, the recruiting manager at Stew Leonard’s. I told her that I noticed this Santa was different from the one last year. “Oh that Santa had to move to Sweden,” she explained. Ms. Arnette, who has been with Stew Leonard’s for 32 years, said that when she puts in a request for Santa to visit at Stew Leonard’s she is very particular. “We only want the jolliest Santas,” she said adding that the store prefers the ones who really love children. “We actually set up a throne for Santa, and a mailbox right next to him. Sometimes, children prefer to put their lists into the mailbox,” she said. “I want you to know that Santa tries to get back to all of the children who drop letters and notes in the mailbox. The thing is that it would be great if the children could leave their e-mail addresses and/or their snail mail addresses. Santa gets so very busy this time of year, but he does his best.”
Ms. Arnette told me that sometimes, it gets so hot in the store and because Santa won’t wear anything but his official red suit for greeting children, he takes a walk through the freezer rooms. Apparently, it reminds him of the North Pole. This Santa comes from the Roger Grant line of Santas, so he will be heading right for the North Pole as soon as he leaves Stew Leonard’s. As I thanked Ms. Arnette, I could hear Santa telling the boys and girls waiting to sit on his lap, “Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas.”
I guess just like the boys and girls he loves so much, he just can’t wait for Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas, Santa. And Merry Christmas to one and all.At this time of year, it’s easy for young children to become confused by seeing many different Santas at locations everywhere. These men are more than just Santa’s helpers. They are all related. The original Santa has many brothers, cousins, and children. They all take their family relationship and their responsibilities seriously. Recently, The Review caught up with the Santa who greets little children at Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk. He is a third cousin removed from St. Nick and in between helping out the main Santa on the North Pole, he listens to what youngsters really want for Christmas.
JGR: So Santa, How are things going this Christmas?
Santa: Oh, ho, ho, ho. Very well, Thank you.
JGR: I understand you come from a long line of Santas.
Santa: Absolutely. We’re the only ones allowed to wear the official Santa suit.
JGR: I see that you have a lot of children coming to you this year. How many do you see a day.
Santa: Oh, I see a few hundred every day.
JGR: I know you’ve been doing this for a very long time, but do you ever get tired of kids jumping on and off your lap all day?
Santa: Ho, ho, ho. I never tire of children. I love them one and all.
JGR: So what are most of the children asking for this year? And are their requests different from any other year?
Santa: Well, I see a lot of children are asking for computers. That’s something they didn’t ask for years ago. A lot of little girls, however, are still asking for the American Girl dolls. They’re very popular.
JGR: So tell me, what do you do to get the reindeer ready for their big journey?
Santa: Well the elves and I have been feeding them a lot of carrots and veggies. They need to be healthy so we make sure they eat all the good foods.
JGR: Santa, does Rudolph ever get lost. I heard that a long time ago, he actually got lost. Does his red nose really help?
Santa: Oh yes, and now we have installed a brand new GPS on the sleigh, so we won’t have any trouble this year.
JGR: What about the elves? I’m sure they must be overworked at this time of year. What do you do to keep them healthy and happy?
Santa: Well they eat a lot of veggies, too. The thing is that they love candy canes. The elves can’t get enough of them. That does give them plenty of energy.
JGR: Not only do they keep long hours in the toy workshop, but I hear they’re working overtime on some special project?
Santa: Ho, ho, ho. That’s right. Every year on Christmas Day, all of the Santas all over the world come together for a big family reunion at the North Pole. The elves help all the Mrs. Clauses prepare everything for the party; then everyone joins in on the fun, too.
JGR: I understand that most children leave you cookies and milk on Christmas Eve. Do you really eat all of them?
Santa: Oh yes. I eat them all. I know how to pace myself and don’t forget, I have a lot of territory to cover.
JGR: What about the weather? Is it easier for you to get around when there’s no snow? Do heavy snows slow you down?
Santa: No, no. The weather doesn’t make any difference.
JGR: Santa, what would you like me to tell all the girls and boys out there?
Santa: Tell them that they should always have Christmas in their hearts and that they should stay healthy and happy.
After speaking to Santa, I got a chance to talk with Christine Arnette, the recruiting manager at Stew Leonard’s. I told her that I noticed this Santa was different from the one last year. “Oh that Santa had to move to Sweden,” she explained. Ms. Arnette, who has been with Stew Leonard’s for 32 years, said that when she puts in a request for Santa to visit at Stew Leonard’s she is very particular. “We only want the jolliest Santas,” she said adding that the store prefers the ones who really love children. “We actually set up a throne for Santa, and a mailbox right next to him. Sometimes, children prefer to put their lists into the mailbox,” she said. “I want you to know that Santa tries to get back to all of the children who drop letters and notes in the mailbox. The thing is that it would be great if the children could leave their e-mail addresses and/or their snail mail addresses. Santa gets so very busy this time of year, but he does his best.”
Ms. Arnette told me that sometimes, it gets so hot in the store and because Santa won’t wear anything but his official red suit for greeting children, he takes a walk through the freezer rooms. Apparently, it reminds him of the North Pole. This Santa comes from the Roger Grant line of Santas, so he will be heading right for the North Pole as soon as he leaves Stew Leonard’s. As I thanked Ms. Arnette, I could hear Santa telling the boys and girls waiting to sit on his lap, “Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas.”
I guess just like the boys and girls he loves so much, he just can’t wait for Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas, Santa. And Merry Christmas to one and all.