Here are a few questions that children often ask me. There are many things about me that you may not know. That even your parents may not know.
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It would be so wonderful if every child who believes in me could come visit me at the North Pole. We could really have some fun! But there are a couple of very good reasons why that just doesn’t work.
First, it is very cold at the North Pole and most children would be very uncomfortable. BRRRRRRRR!
Second, elves are quite short, so even the youngest of children who can walk would hit their heads on the doorposts and ceilings. Ouch!
But the main reason is that we would never get any work done. One thing you should know about elves, they love to play. And if even one child visited, they would spend hours and even days playing with you. So you can imagine if we had thousands of children visiting each day. I will just come visit you instead.
Rudolph does enjoy visiting children, but he couldn’t come to live with you. It would not be fair to Rudolph’s family. Rudolph is now in his 80’s. He and his wife, Olive Clarisse, have a family of their own to care for and watch over. I’m afraid you will just have to be satisfied with Rudolph visiting you at the same time that I do every year.
That is a very good question. Many, many years ago, when I first started giving children gifts, I decided to do it so that no one knew who had left the gift. So sometimes I would leave a gift at an open window or at the doorway of a house when folks weren’t looking. After a few years of that, something embarrassing happened. I got caught. People didn’t always understand that I didn’t give gifts so people would thank me or like me.
I gave gifts to make people happy and because, often, the gift was something that they needed very much! I wanted it to be a surprise, but once everyone knew it was me, I had to come up with another plan. I figured out that the only way to surprise you was to come while you were asleep. If I came when everyone was awake, the added time of being thanked for each gift would make it quite difficult to finish my journey. That has worked for hundreds of years so I will keep things the way they are..
When you think about it, that is a question you could ask any older person. No one looks exactly the same over the years. Even you looked different two years ago than you do now. Well I am over 1,750 years old! I have gone through a lot of changes over the years.
But the main reason so many pictures are different in so many ways is something called “Artistic License.” That simply means that every artist who paints a picture or writes a story can have their own ideas about what they think I should look like. There are so many different ideas. Am I fat and thin? Do I wear red or I wear green? Do I have white hair, gray hair or a mix of both? Over the years, each of those ideas have been true at one time or another. If you want to have some fun, ask someone you know who is old to show you pictures of themselves over the years. But please try not to laugh. That’s rude.
Just like the people in your family, they are all different ages. Understand that we measure time differently at the North Pole. We measure it in Christmases. Blitzen is the oldest at over 250 Christmases. Rudolph is the youngest at over 90 Christmases! Check out the bios of my reindeer under the “Meet Santa’s Reindeer” page here.
My favorite answer to that question is “I’m as old as my tongue and a little older than my teeth.” But I was born on March 15th in the year 270 AD. Have some fun and ask an adult to help you figure it out.
Oh, it would be wonderful if every child in the world believed in me so that I could. But I do not get to visit every child in the world because not every child in the world believes in me and many do not celebrate Christmas at all. Only one child in three. The rest have yet to come to believe. But let me tell you about the visits I do make.
Not many people know this. So Fun Fact: In different parts of the world and in different cultures, I visit on different nights. Three different nights to be exact. In places like Greece and Russia, children who are in the Orthodox Church look for me to bring them gifts on the night of December 5th, the evening before The Feast Day of St Nicholas (that’s me). They polish their shoes and leave them outside the door, just inside the door or sometimes by the fireplace. In the morning, they find that I have left them gifts and candy in their shoes.
The night that most children in the world look for me is Christmas Eve, December 24th. They wake up on Christmas morning to find all kinds of gifts that I have left for them.
Finally, many children in the world look for me to bring them gifts on January 6th, a day called Epiphany. This is the day that has been chosen to remember and celebrate the visit the Wise Men made to see baby Jesus in Bethlehem. What better way to celebrate than giving gifts to one another! Many children in Central and South American honor this day as the time I am expected to visit.
So, you see, although I do not visit children who have not come to believe in me and Christmas, I still live a busy gift-giving life. PLUS, often I get help giving gifts from all the other people who love you, usually when the gift involves something that is not a toy, especially something electronic. Trust me, you do not want a computer made by elves! They are just too silly to master things like that.
Santa or Santa Claus is what most children who speak English call me. But there are 6,500 other languages and cultures and each one has their own name for me. Other children who speak English, like in England for example, call me Father Chrstmas. But children in many other countries call me the same thing, but in their own language. In France, I am “Pere Noel,” in Brazil “Papai Natal,” and in Turkey, where I was born, “Noel Baba.” But each of those simply mean Father Christmas. In Russia I am called “Dedt Moroz” or “Grandfather Ice,” while in Sweden, “Jultomten” or “Christmas Brownie.” I am “St Nicholas” in Poland and “Kris Kringle” in Germany. Many different names. Many different languages and cultures. But only ONE person. Do you have a nickname?
Most children think that they are supposed to leave me milk and cookies. I love milk and cookies. But in many parts of the world children leave me other things, everything from sweetened rice cakes to pretzels and beer. But milk and cookies are still my favorite. As far as cookies are concerned, I love chocolate chip cookies, but the reindeer get upset because I cannot share those cookies with them. Chocolate makes reindeer sick. Not good at all! So please either leave me oatmeal raisin cookies, so I can share them with the reindeer, or leave some oats or reindeer food so I can enjoy my chocolate chip cookies in peace. Thank you.
Generally, there are about 15,000 elves with me at the North Pole, it varies during the year. Not all the elves live at the North Pole. Some stay with children in their homes, seen and unseen, to help me know how things are going.
At the North Pole, there are many different kinds of elves just like where you live, there are many kinds of people. There are, of course, lots of elves who make toys. But there are other elves who take care of and provide for the toy making elves and their families. Teachers, bakers, doctors, cobblers, chefs, carpenters, and, of course, the elves who take care of the reindeer. As they say, “It takes a village” and the village of the elves has many, many kinds of elves.
I can answer in one word. Silliness! Elves are the most silly creatures on earth. So silly, in fact, that once the silliness breaks out, very little work gets done. One morning I woke up and the elves had put marshmallows in my boots. It took three days for Mrs Claus and I to get every elf to stop laughing. Well, really only two days. It took one day for Mrs. Claus to stop laughing.
There is a silly way to answer that question. “How do my reindeer fly? Very well indeed, thank you!” But there is a better answer than that. It is really a matter of natural talent and practice.
You can ask, “How do you do that?” of any athletic ability. As a very old human being, there are many things I cannot do athletically. I cannot dunk. I cannot hit a receiver 50 yards down the field. I cannot dribble a soccer ball. I cannot hit home runs. Yet there are many human athletes who excel at each of these.
The same is true of my reindeer. Thousands of reindeer have lived with me at the North Pole. All of those reindeer have known how to jump. Some short distances while others jumped very long distances. Still, 99% of them cannot jump so far as to look like they are can fly. But all I needed to find was eight that excelled at jumping very high and very far (which looks like flying) and one with a very shiny nose!
Pets are so much fun and I am happy that you would wish to take care of one if I was able to bring one to you. But there are several, very important things you need to think about before you are ready for a pet’s life. I hope you can understand and maybe your parents can help.
First of all, God makes puppies (and other living things), I make toys! Haven’t you ever noticed that God does not make toys? I do what I do and God does all the wonderful things that God does. God don’t mess with what I do, so I never mess with what God does.
Secondly, pets are just like you. That means they have to be cared for, fed, kept clean AND cleaned up after! Most of all, they need a whole lot of love. Think. Who does all that for you? A parent or grandparent or some other adult? It is a great responsibility. So first, you must think about that responsibility very, very seriously.
Thirdly, it takes a family to care for family members. A new pet will be a new part of your family. Even if you do most of the work, everyone who lives with you will end up sharing the responsibility of caring for a pet. The decision to bring a new pet into your home is something a family has to think about together and decide together.
I know that you would love a pet, but it is not an easy thing to care for. So think about these three things with your whole family and you will find the answer together.
(P.S. If you and your family decide that it is OK to bring a new pet into your home, please consider finding one that is waiting to be loved in a local shelter.)
I get this question a lot. Please understand that I have many helpers all over the world. There are so many children who would like to see me and visit with me. But I cannot be everywhere at the same time, especially as we get closer to Christmas Eve.
I have many of my friends and relatives who are overflowing with the Christmas Spirit. At Christmas, they often dress up to look like me so children will have someone kind to visit. These are nice and caring people who love children as much as I do. Very few children actually get to see me. But visiting with one of my dear friends comes pretty close. I appreciate that they are able to do this for you and for me.
Of course you can! Christmas is a happy time of sharing with those you love. That is the heart of Christmas. If you love other people, you have a Christmas Heart. And anyone with a Christmas Heart is welcomed to celebrate Christmas!
And even if you are not a Christian, you may have celebrations of love and generosity in your own faith. Jews have a celebration called Hanukkah. Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr with sharing and gift giving. Hindus celebrate Diwali. And Buddhists celebrate Vesak, which is Buddha’s birthday.
Hopefully, you may even be able to share the love in your Christmas Heart with those in need. Wherever you live, there are many children who struggle with poverty and hunger. I would consider it a very large favor if your Christmas Heart was big enough to share your love with them as well.
It is very sad when someone we love dies. I can understand why you would wish for them to be with you again. A lot of children ask me this question concerning different family members.
I would want nothing more than to be able to grant you that wish. Many children believe that I have magical powers that would make that possible. But I cannot. I am still only a human being.
The only real magic in our world is Love. You miss the one you have lost because they loved you so much and you loved them too. Please know and remember that there are many people in your life right now who also loved the one you have lost you. They love you too.
Loss is always a heavy burden to carry, especially for one as small and young as you. But that burden can become less by sharing it with others you love and who love you. Together you can all work through the sadness you now feel together.
Tell each other about your feelings and the wonderful memories you each have of the one you have lost. For as long as all of you remember, your loved one is with you once again. God bless.
What an intelligent question! It used to be that no one had a chimney. They were not invented until about 1,000 years ago. Before there were chimneys, I used to leave gifts by the front door or by the fireplaces in shoes or stockings.
After chimneys were invented, it was not long before almost everyone had one. But recently, chimneys are not longer used in houses. And many of the houses that look like they have a chimney do not have the large openings I used to be able to use.
Not to worry. I have something called a “Skeleton Key.” I know that may sound scary, but it has nothing to do with Halloween or skeletons. It’s just a very special key that can open any lock on any door. But I promise I will lock the door behind me when I leave.
There is a popular song at Christmas time that says that I “see you when you’re sleeping” and I “know when you’re awake.” That sounds a little scary and creepy to me. But here is the truth.
I am not spying on you. I cannot see you when you are sleeping or awake. I don’t have to. I can feel your heart and the feelings you are feeling. I can feel when you are sad or happy. When you are scared or when you are feeling brave.
There are so many wonderful things about you. You know when you have been nice. You know when you have been naughty. So when you have those feelings, I can feel them too. I know when you have the nice feelings of love, kindness and generosity. And I know when you have the naughty feelings of anger, selfishness and jealousy. But whether you have been naughty or nice, I still love you very much.
That is a puzzlement. But it is not something you need to worry about. It is really quite easy for me to find you.
Even if you are a twin, there are things about you that no one else has. It may be the color of your eyes or the shape of your ears or the sound of your voice. That is how you recognize your family and your friends. Each of you has a unique look.
The same thing is true of the way your heart glows with Christmas Love. No one else anywhere in the world has a heart that glows with love exactly the same way yours does. So if you are not at home, I will find you. I know the glow!
I am so proud of you for thinking of my reindeer. Not all children do. So there are a few, simple “Do’s & Don’ts” when it comes to snacks for my reindeer.
I know the movies and books suggest that you leave carrots for my reindeer. That is a wonderful thought, but reindeer cannot chew carrots and carrots are not part of their regular diet. Reindeer usually eat mosses & grasses. But those are difficult for most children to find put out for my reindeer.
The good news is that there are many things that you can leave for my reindeer. I don’t know if you eat your vegetables, but my the reindeer love them. Peppers are OK as long as they are not too spicy. No jalapeños please! Grains are good as well, but they can be messy. Check with your family on that. And it may surprise you to know, I know it did me, but my reindeer love animal crackers. (The real ones not the cheap imitation ones) They are crunchy and slightly sweet. They are very much like the tundra that reindeer eat at home. Who knew?
There are also things to avoid. Please do not leave sweets! No candy. No chocolate! Oatmeal cookies are fine, just no cookies with chocolate in them. I know you like sweets and chocolates, but they make the reindeer sick. Please remember that it is never good to fly behind sick reindeer!
The simple answer is, “Yes!” But I could also answer, “No!” too. Your name wouldn’t happen to be Virginia, would it?
As with everyone else, there is the person I am AND there is the person other people think I am. So I am most likely NOT exactly like you may think I am from movies, TV shows, poems & stories that have been created over the centuries. You may not know it, but there are many stories out there about YOU that may or may not be true…told by parents, grandparents, friends & those not so friendly. I make the effort to know who you really are. That’s something you should do for everyone you meet. So I could also ask of you, “Aren’t you real?”
I am guessing you may ask that question because there are people in your life who say that I am not real. Unfortunately, there are many people, children and adults, who do not believe in me. And I understand why some would doubt me.
After all, it is difficult to believe in someone you have never seen, let alone the person presented in all the movies and books and such. “Seeing,” it is said, “is believing.” But there are many things you cannot see that are real. Yet many times you can feel them. You cannot see cold in the winter or heat in the summer, but you can feel them when Jack Frost lets loose the winter winds or the sun shines bright on a summer day. So, we can also say that “Believing is seeing!”
You cannot see love, but it is real. I am real in the same way. I am real and alive in every act of kindness and generosity in the world. I am real and alive in every gift given in generosity and love, even when it’s not Christmas!
It doesn’t bother me that there are children who do not believe that I am real. I still believe in them and always will. I love you and I always will. I am so grateful for all the children who believe in me all over the world. Belief is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
I know many stories & pictures of me have me in snow, but at any given time, more than half the earth’s surface doesn’t have snow. So my sleigh has retractable wheels.
I am what is called a “polyglot” which means that I have learn many languages. Even as a child, I was taught Latin and Greek in addition to my native language. Also, there is more than one way, like language, to understand what another person is saying or thinking. So how did I learn so many languages? One at a time.
I don’t think I have one. There are so many different kinds of food around the world to chose from and I love so many of them. If you only love one kind of food, maybe you should try some new things. You never know, you might end up like me.
Well, like many people, my weight has varied through the years. I was more slim when I was younger. And I must confess, there have been times when I have carried more weight than I wanted to or should be carrying. But of late, Mrs Claus has encouraged me to eat a more healthy diet & exercise more, so I’m not as large bellied as I have been in the past.
Mostly toy making, but there are elves who work in support of the elf toy making community. The elves are a society of creatures who are very artistic, creative & caring. So just like any other community, there are many jobs that need to be done in support of the whole community. Bakers, carpenters, teachers, etc all work at what they do best for the good of their fellow elves.
Please note that not all elves work with me. Those that do, are there of their own free will. They are not “MY” elves in the sense that they have no choice or that I exercise ownership over them. We are very good friends & have been for a very long time. Friends help each other.
There is nothing better on a cold winter’s night than a mug of hot, North Pole cocoa. Hot cocoa goes with just about anything. Cookies, of course, but it also goes with popcorn, pretzels, or a nice toasted sandwich. Yes indeed, I love my hot cocoa.
There’s always the front door.
I actually have many items of clothing & they are of various colors. The idea of a red suit was first popularized by colored lithographs made by Harper’s Magazine’s artist Thomas Nast in the mid-1800’s. Then others, all the way through Coca-Cola artists copied the idea. Now everyone thinks I wear red clothes all the time. Not true, but it does help me to not be noticed if I wear something other than red.
I’m so old that I consider everyone a child of mine.
No, but there’s always a good reason for why I cannot. Many things are true about the requests children make as to what they want for Christmas. Most children ask for things without knowing the consequences of having that thing. Ponies, for example, are very expensive to feed if you don’t have many acres of grazing land & they need a separate place to live & run. Most children don’t have any of that.
Many children ask for gifts that their parents have already forbidden them to have…at least not until they are older. Things like cell phones, video games and computers have dangers children cannot understand. But there are many things denied to children because of their age, size or maturity. Children are not allowed to drive. There are rides at amusement parks that have height limits, “You must be this tall to ride this ride!” These are in place to protect you and because we love you dearly.
Also, there are many things I would never bring without the permission of a child’s parents or guardians. A good rule of thumb is to remember that we make simple toys at the North Pole.
Yes. The since the elves do most of the toy making work, I have plenty of time for other hobbies. I love to bake…cookies (of course), & different kinds of bread. I do a lot of carpentry, making & fixing furniture, tools & cabinetry. I also do a good bit of leather working. It helps keep the reindeer harnesses & reins in tiptop shape. Just before bedtime, I love to read by the fireplace.
I name them. It’s all based on their personalities & gifts. (Please see Meet My Reindeer on my website, meetstnick.com.
I have clothing in many colors. I love dark blue, forest green, white, & plaid suits as well. The question you are really asking is, “Why does everyone think my suit is red?”
That has to do with how artists have imagined me. The idea of a red suit was first popularized by colored lithographs (prints of drawings) drawn by the Harper’s Magazine’s artist Thomas Nast in the mid-1800’s.
Then others, all the way through Coca-Cola artists copied the idea. Now everyone thinks I wear red clothes all the time. Not true, but it does help me to not be noticed if I wear something other than red.
I live in what is called the “Polar Region.” There is more than one “North Pole.” There is a magnetic North Pole and a geographic North Pole. There is a rotational North Pole as well. But none of them have any land beneath them, only ice and water. So no one can really live there.
But the Polar Region is a much larger area and has plenty of land. It is just that about 200 years ago, the same man who drew pictures of me wearing a red suit, Thomas Nast, also wrote a story about me that I lived AT the North Pole instead of the Polar Region. People loved the idea and have thought that I lived there ever since.
I stopped arguing for a couple of reasons. For one thing, where I live is quite isolated so we can live and work in peace most of the time. The elves like it because there are hardly any humans. It’s not that elves hate humans, it’s that after centuries of humans trying to capture and keep them, they would just prefer to get away from them.
Also, I don’t always stay in the Polar Region. I travel and live in different places all around the world because I have family & friends all over the world. That’s why you may think you see me in a store or on the street. You never know where I will show up.
Of course I do. Everyone gets sad now and then. But when I do, I depend on my friends to help me see the love and joy that is all around us, and that makes me happy again. Sometimes it may take awhile to get happy once more, but that’s what friends are for! Remember, sorrows are a burden, but a burden shared is a lightened one.
I don’t have a favorite elf. I cannot. I love each and every one of them for who they are and who we are when we are together.
This is another one of the things Santa characters can do in movies that I cannot. It is a favorite “gotcha” question for children questioning my existence. The answer is simple, I probably can’t remember. I apologize. There are many things I remember, but I can’t remember everything. I’d rather remember how kind you are instead of what you got for Christmas last year.
Like the elves, there is not a favorite. Each one is special & loved equally.
The size of the herd varies, but generally thousands roam the area where I live. But if you want about a few dozen being directly under my care.
Many folks have made guesses as to what Mrs Claus’ first name is, but so far no one has guessed correctly. So I’m not telling. Sorry!
All of my wants and needs are met by my family, friends and faith in Jesus Christ, so I want for nothing. I live at what is called a “Need Level.” Over the centuries, I have learned that possessions tend to rule over our lives instead of us controlling them. I have learned to live with less and be happy with less. Fewer things I need, the more things I can share and the more people I can love.
I appreciate the sentiment, but that’s like asking to be one of reindeer. The problem is that you are a human child, with parents & a family who loves you. You are NOT an elf. I cannot make you something you are not already.
But if you feel strongly enough, you can be like an elf. Be kind. Be helpful. Be loving & generous. Those are all things that already are in your heart. Nurture those things in your life & you will become more like an elf than I could ever “make” you.
All living creatures, whether human or animal, eventually die. Living things die for many reasons. Age, Illness. Accidents. No one lives a human life forever. Two things to remember when someone special to you dies. The first thing to remember is that your love made their lives much better. The second thing is to know that it is not your fault that they died. Death is a natural part of life. Remember each of those lives lovingly in your heart and mind and they live on. Also know that when you share with others what made them so special to you, others can share in the love there was between the two of you.
I’ am VERY old. So I didn’t go to school, at least not the way you are probably thinking. Most people living when I was young did not go to school because school for everyone was not something my city did. My parents had a lot of money, so they hired a teacher to live with us and teach myself and my brothers & sisters. Such teachers were called “tutors.” So I didn’t “go” to school, the school was in my house, so there was no stopping school. But I did study many of the same things you have learned in school.
Not in the least! Each of my reindeer have special talents and gifts that make them valuable to us all. The reindeer and I celebrate that in each other.
I am guessing that you are referring to where I might go after the Christmas Season is over on January 6th. You have to remember that I have been just about every place in the world and I am more than ready to rest and to relax. So my favorite place would be in my bed at home with a nice warm fire and no alarm clocks.
After I get my rest, my favorite place to go is someplace warm, quiet and filled with family and friends. I also like to be places where children are…stores, schools and other places. That is why you will sometimes think that you just saw me. Most of the time when I travel, children cannot see me. Not because I am invisible, but because they tend to be distracted by other things. So if you do see me, please feel free to say, “Hello!”
Pretty much! It’s difficult not to be when you are around around elves all the time.
Who says I have to eat ALL those cookies and drink ALL the milk in one night? That’s what refrigerators and freezers are for! Plus, you should know that not every child leaves me milk and cookies. In Germany, children leave me pretzels and beer. In China, sweetened rice cakes and rice wine. I enjoy and appreciate each and every gift of food left for me. I simply collect it all and take it home to share with my elfin family and friends.
My personal reindeer, “The Christmas Team,” each have their own stable in which to sleep, eat and be cared for. But mostly they love to be out in the pastures and open spaces. They generally only stay in the stables if the weather is bad or if they need grooming. Just because they are domesticated does not mean they like being indoors all the time.
To keep my hands warm.
When it comes to know when and where I was born, I have to depend on others to tell me. Even though record keeping was not all that accurate at the time, most folks tell me that I was born on March 15th in the year of 270 AD or CE.
I was born in the city of Patara on the Turkish coast in the the region the Romans called Lycia. If you look at a map of the country of Turkey, it’s in the lower left corner of the map. Patara was the capital of the Lycia and was a major Roman naval and commercial port.
Children often expect me to know their names. I know that seems like an easy question to answer, but it is a lot more complicated than you think. There are probably hundreds of children with your name in your school, town, city, county, state or nation, let alone in the entire world. That is just too many children for us to use your name to keep track of you. But there is something about you that is unlike any other child in the entire world. And that is the way in which YOUR HEART glows with Christmas Love. THAT is how we know who you are, where you are & how you are doing.
Once again, this may seem like a huge problem, but the elves and I have had hundreds of years to perfect our delivery system. It is made up of many parts and partners.We don’t pretend that it is perfect, but it has worked for centuries & we are proud of it.
We stash gifts all over the world before the three days we deliver Christmas presents. (See “How do you visit every child in the world on Christmas Eve?”) Because children write us letters and make wishes all year long, we can store them in large warehouses, homes, churches, and other secret places. One thing we have worked out is that I deliver gifts on three different nights and because I deliver on a north-to-south course, I can reload my sleigh every time I get back north or when I am near a storage place.
Difficulties arise when children change their minds, especially when the Gifting Day is close. That is often how children “don’t get what they wanted.”
Web Design: Elle Lorean Co
Born in 1820, Dasher is the youngest of my main reindeer.
Almost immediately after being born, Dasher was poking her nose into every corner of her stall. She learned all about the weather…how the wind blows and how storms grow. So it wasn’t long before I had Dasher as one of my lead pair. I can trust her to keep a sharp eye out so we stay away from troubling weather.
Dasher loves to deliver presents to children who like to learn new things. I hope you want to be a learning child.
