Santa Revealed

He’s quite a busy man this time of year, not to mention one of the most popular guys around. Kids can’t stop talking about him as they anxiously await his visit. Even with all of the hoopla surrounding holiday displays in Fort Collins, Santa’s jolly spirit is as bright as ever and is apparent to all the eyes of believers.
As weeks wind down to teh big day, he sits in his cozy Old Town workshop, like he does every year, playing Christmas carols and making decorative paper boxes and ornaments. Children stroll in, some more bashful than others, but all on a mission—to share their wishes to the big man in the iconic red suit.
To honor the Christmas spirit, Fort Collins Now, caught up with Saint Nick himself for an interview.

FCNOW: What toys are in the highest demand this year?
SANTA: In some ways it’s typical every year—choo choo. An awful lot of boys want trains and girls want dolls. Of course, some of the older children want iPods or some kind electronic wizardry. Cars and trucks are also popular with boys.

FCNOW: What does Santa want for Christmas?
SANTA: It’s just about same every year—that everything goes along smoothly and we get it all done. There aren’t a lot of things I need. Sometimes the presents adults give to one another—a dinner out, a nice invite to go hear a concert—I enjoy things like that.

FCNOW: In what ways have the recent toy recalls affected work at Santa's workshop this year?
SANTA: Up at my workshop we haven’t had any problems. A lot of our favorite toys don’t have any paint at all. Wood is pretty enough.

FCNOW: Has a child ever had an "accident" on your lap?
SANTA: No, they are all good when they come to see me.

FCNOW: Is Santa a Republican or Democrat?
SANTA: Santa is a guest in the United States and does not take any point of view regarding politics of the country. It doesn’t matter what country I go to.

FCNOW: Has Santa ever delivered the wrong gift to the wrong house?
SANTA: Nope. I make a list and check it twice. Of course, a lot of children have to tell me they will be at grandma’s house and things like that.

FCNOW: Has global warming affected life in the North Pole?
SANTA: It’s still darn cold up there. I like the cold of course and since the North Pole doesn’t have a land mass beneath it, I certainly hope global warming doesn’t affect things up there. So far things are pretty good up there.

FCNOW: What does Santa think about the recent holiday display issue here in Fort Collins?
SANTA: Santa does not take issue on political issues. I assume that’s for the good people of Fort Collins to figure out how they want to decorate. Personally, I think all the white lights are beautiful.

FCNOW: Does Santa make a New Year's resolution? If so, what is it going to be?
SANTA: Yeah, I’ve made resolutions certainly in the past, but I pretty much have everything perfected and down to a science. There’s not many things that I need to make resolution for. I’ve got my list all organized. I was going to make the hot chocolate a little thicker.

FCNOW: What has been the most unusual gift request you have heard so far this year?
SANTA: The last girl here today asked for a bug habitat. That was a little unusual. I had a few ask for telescopes. That’s always nice.

FCNOW: What is Santa's favorite song?
SANTA: You want to know the one I like the least? It’s the one about running over grandma with a reindeer. I never liked that one. I think they should erase that one. I like the “Nutcracker Suite” a lot and the “Strauss Waltz.”

FCNOW: Why doesn't Mrs. Claus go with Santa on Christmas Eve?
SANTA: She kind of likes staying at home. I don’t know if she likes skidding across roof tops on the sleigh. She needs to keep things organized at the North Pole too.

FCNOW: What happens if there is a fire in a fireplace? Does Santa ever get burned?
SANTA: I’ve got keys too. You want to see them? Some people build fires and I think, “hmm ... Do they really want Santa to come in?” Sometimes they forget. I use the key. That’s what I have it for. Plus, some people don’t have chimneys.

FCNOW: What kind of shampoo does Santa use to wash his beard?
Santa: Whatever one Mrs. Claus has sitting on the side of the tub. I used to like an orangey citrus one. I can’t remember what it was called. And yes, I use cream rinse to keep it fluffy.

FCNOW: Are there any celebrities on the naughty list? If so who?
SANTA: I don’t know that I broadcast the naughty list. It’s kind of a private matter. People read the newspapers and make their own judgments and guesses.

FCNOW: Does Santa ever get tired of wearing red?
SANTA: I like red. Although I was thinking about getting a white outfit too—kind of a wintery outfit. Red is my favorite color. I wear different colors. Sometimes I wear green.

FCNOW: Do you think we will have a white Christmas this year?
SANTA: Probably, but it was a little whiter than everybody needed last year. We are going to have some white coming up. I think the mountains are going to get some. That’s good, I like to ski. I need to get up there one of these days.

FCNOW: How many cookies does Santa usually end up eating on Christmas Eve?
SANTA: Not quite as many as they put out for me, but I enjoy some good cookies from time to time. I eat thousands and thousands. There’s more than I can eat sometimes, but it’s very sweet of everyone to hand them out to me and make sure I’ve got plenty of fuel.

FCNOW: Where are some of Santa's favorite hang-outs in Fort Collins?
SANTA: I certainly like to go up to Cameron Pass, though it’s not Fort Collins. I think the river is pretty. I like to stroll along the river. And of course Old Town Square is just beautiful. It’s one of my favorite spots in town.

FCNOW: What are some of Santa's pet-peeves?
SANTA: I guess one is that the naughty children haven’t figured out that it is a ton more fun to be good rather than bad. ... We can all think about things to grump about, but who wants to hear that.

FCNOW: What are some of Santa’s hobbies?
Santa: I like to ski. I like to take care of the reindeer. I like to build prototypes of toys. I like to go sledding too. I like ice skating and will be down ice skating on Saturday, if anyone wants to join me.

FCNOW: Where is Santa’s favorite vacation spot?
Santa: I've got a few. I like to get to the mountains and ski—any mountains with good snow. Colorado is good. I enjoy getting down to the tropics to get a little sunshine and swim in the ocean. Mexico is nice. I love Mexico.

FCNOW: What is something most people don’t know about Santa?
Santa: He likes to ski in Colorado.

FCNOW: Does Santa ever run out of wrapping paper at the North Pole?
Santa: No. Look, I’ve got reams of it here. I buy it by the ream. I was just cutting up wrapping paper before you came in.