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Also known as The Jolly Old Elf
Residences During the offseason, Santa Claus lives in an undisclosed location in rural Henry County, where of our reporters interviewed him in front of witnesses on Sunday, Dec. 4, before he left for his official home on Santa Claus Lane at the North Pole.
Several hundred years
The length of time he has been delivering toys. He was reluctant to be more specific.
“It’s one of those jobs you don’t punch the clock for,” Santa Claus said. “It’s a labor of love. You just do it.”
32
The number of hours Santa Claus has to leave toys at children’s homes all over the world. Many people think it’s 24 hours, but Santa, a gifted amateur astronomer, points out that when he arrives at the eastern edge of the very last time zone, it’s only just getting dark, and he still has eight hours of darkness to make all of his stops there.
He said he has seen 45 hours, but “I don’t know how they justify 45.”
Less than 1
Time in minutes Santa spends in each house. Some people think he has to hurry because he might wake the dog, but this is not a problem.
“I never wake up the dog,” Santa Claus said. “If the dog does wake up, he comes over and I pet him and leave. There are no bad dogs for Santa. I can communicate with dogs. Around Santa, a surly bull mastiff is as gentle as a kitten.”
3 or 4 tons
The weight of Santa Claus’ sleigh during his flight. This might seem light, but he does not leave the North Pole with all the toys.
“My sleigh doesn’t weigh that much,” Santa Claus said. “I can create presents on the way. It’s called nanotechnology. As I take the present out of my bag, the next child’s name comes up on the computer screen. Then the present is created from the inside out so it is already wrapped.
“Crafticians are the elves who take care of the nanotechnology, and then we have elves who take care of the reindeer,” Santa Claus said.
9
No surprise here. These are the reindeer, including Rudolph, who carry Santa’s sleigh.
“I always take Rudolph,” Santa Claus said. “I check the weather reports, but you never know.
“I have other reindeer in training,” he said. “There’s always a trainee with the real reindeer, but I have never used the second string.
Also known as The Jolly Old Elf
Residences During the offseason, Santa Claus lives in an undisclosed location in rural Henry County, where of our reporters interviewed him in front of witnesses on Sunday, Dec. 4, before he left for his official home on Santa Claus Lane at the North Pole.
Several hundred years
The length of time he has been delivering toys. He was reluctant to be more specific.
“It’s one of those jobs you don’t punch the clock for,” Santa Claus said. “It’s a labor of love. You just do it.”
32
The number of hours Santa Claus has to leave toys at children’s homes all over the world. Many people think it’s 24 hours, but Santa, a gifted amateur astronomer, points out that when he arrives at the eastern edge of the very last time zone, it’s only just getting dark, and he still has eight hours of darkness to make all of his stops there.
He said he has seen 45 hours, but “I don’t know how they justify 45.”
Less than 1
Time in minutes Santa spends in each house. Some people think he has to hurry because he might wake the dog, but this is not a problem.
“I never wake up the dog,” Santa Claus said. “If the dog does wake up, he comes over and I pet him and leave. There are no bad dogs for Santa. I can communicate with dogs. Around Santa, a surly bull mastiff is as gentle as a kitten.”
3 or 4 tons
The weight of Santa Claus’ sleigh during his flight. This might seem light, but he does not leave the North Pole with all the toys.
“My sleigh doesn’t weigh that much,” Santa Claus said. “I can create presents on the way. It’s called nanotechnology. As I take the present out of my bag, the next child’s name comes up on the computer screen. Then the present is created from the inside out so it is already wrapped.
“Crafticians are the elves who take care of the nanotechnology, and then we have elves who take care of the reindeer,” Santa Claus said.
9
No surprise here. These are the reindeer, including Rudolph, who carry Santa’s sleigh.
“I always take Rudolph,” Santa Claus said. “I check the weather reports, but you never know.
“I have other reindeer in training,” he said. “There’s always a trainee with the real reindeer, but I have never used the second string.
“The reindeer are in training year-round,” Santa Claus said. “They have to leap and jump and fly. They practice all year round and have contests to see who can jump the highest and pull the most weight. It’s friendly competition. They never mind who wins and loses.
“The reindeer have a perfect sense of balance so they can stay on the roof,” Santa said.
99
The percentage of houses where children leave cookies for Santa Claus.
“There are some that might forget, and they feel bad the next day, but that’s okay,” he said. “I know kids get excited because Santa is coming.”
364
The number of days he has to forgo eating his favorite treat.
“I am not allowed to eat cookies through the year,” Santa Claus said. “Mrs. Claus keeps me on a diet. “I get to eat cookies one night of the year and drink all the milk I need.”
73
The percentage of houses where children leave carrots for the reindeer, although some leave apples. According to Santa Claus, the reindeer appreciate either treat.
200,000
The approximate number of miles the reindeer fly during their Christmas Eve journey.
“We keep track to make sure we deliver every present,” Santa Claus said.
100
The percentage of children who get presents.
“Everybody gets a present,” Santa Claus said. “Some who are naughty don’t get one they like as much.”
To get on the nice list, Santa recommends:
“Treating your brothers and sisters really nice, obeying your parents, treating your friends and your schoolmates nice, and your teachers nice,” he said. “It’s not really hard to get on the nice list.”
7
The percentage of children who see him.
“Not that many, since I time my arrivals and departures pretty carefully,” Santa Claus said.
Fewer than 40 percent
The percentage of fireplaces with fires burning when he arrives.
“Before, everybody had a fire, but now they don’t,” Santa Claus said. “There is a misconception about Santa and a fireproof suit. Santa can put the fire out, come down the chimney and deliver the presents. Also, soot does not stick to Santa’s suit. Mrs. Claus likes that.”
4
The number of Santa’s wishes for everyone.
“A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and peace and joy for next year and for all eternity,” he said.
1
Santa Claus offered one piece of advice for the day after his reindeer have been on their journey.
“Don’t eat the raisins in the front yard,” he said.
