Santa Claus takes a break from his busy day at Calgary’s CF Market Mall.
Santa Claus will hitch his nine immortal reindeer to his sleigh Saturday, preparing for his annual global circumnavigation. This year, he gave The Globe and Mail what the paper always wanted: an exclusive interview. And Santa, taking a break from his duties at Calgary's CF Market Mall, was so generous he answered six questions rather than The Globe's usual five.
Santa, how do you deal with wishes you can't grant?
Oh my goodness. Well, Santa is all about the spirit of generosity, caring and giving. Santa listens to everything every child asks for and sometimes we have a little discussion about why they might not get what they ask for. Santa doesn't deliver live animals. It upsets the reindeer to have an animal caged or chained in the sleigh for a child's amusement. Santa brings gifts. Santa doesn't traffic in people. Such as: "Please bring Daddy home from wherever he's working home for Christmas." Santa can't promise those things.
Last year, Santa was asked to cure diabetes. Santa doesn't have the education to do that.
One of the things Santa has encountered this year is children asking Santa to make someone else happy. And Santa always has to tell them, everyone is responsible for their own happiness. It is not your job to make someone else happy. All you can do is support them in ways they have chosen to make themselves happy. As long as they are healthy.
How do you feel about the War on Christmas?
Santa doesn't think there's such a thing. Children of all backgrounds, religions and cultures come to see Santa. And Santa listens to them and meets with them and does what he can.
Santa, who might get coal this year? There have been some high-profile people making statements not everyone likes.
Santa doesn't reveal who is on the naughty list. That's personal information. Santa doesn't believe in public shaming. Everybody thinks that they are doing good. Santa likes to believe that everyone is trying their hardest. And even those people who have disagreements with each other, each of them think that they are right. Santa wants to work toward understanding and better communication.
Does anyone really get coal then?
Yes. Ho ho ho. You'd have to be selfish. You'd have to be only thinking about yourself and not have the best interests of everyone in mind.
How is the War on Coal affecting your operation?
Santa doesn't keep track of those markets. See, that's like the War on Christmas. It doesn't really exist. It is the advancement in technology that people are resistant to. I live at the North Pole and we use a lot of solar energy up there. Santa is in favour of hybrid energy. If we want the Earth to continue, we need to adapt. Ho, ho, ho – Santa might be stepping in it.
What's the greatest gift we could give somebody?
Time. Definitely time.
Carrie Tait