Interview With Santa Claus

Santa Claus took a few moments out of his crazy busy schedule recently to give New Hampshire Magazine the inside scoop on the Santa behind the beard.

Santa Claus took a few moments out of his crazy busy schedule recently to give New Hampshire Magazine the inside scoop on the Santa behind the beard.

NHM: Hi, Santa.

SC: Merry Christmas.

NHM: In your twinkling eyes, what exactly constitutes naughty and what constitutes nice?

SC: First let me say that it's Mrs. C who keeps the naughty and nice list all year. She keeps her eye on the magic ball. I can't do everything. It's called delegation but I do have the final say on the naughty or nice issue. As for nice, that's easy. It's not naughty. Naughty is doing something that hurts yourself or someone else. Also hurting animals. They're people too. I was a child myself a long, long, long time ago. I had accidents. I wrote on the walls with crayons, but I never hurt anyone and I understand things like that.

NHM:Is there a statute of limitations on the naughty/nice issue?

SC:Yes. I look back only one year. If you can stay good for one year, that's good enough for me.

NHM: What is currently the biggest challenge that you face as the Jolly Ol' Elf?

SC: Trying to make all those toys. I get more and more good little boys and girls every year. But also, it's been a huge challenge keeping up with all this technology. I send the elves out for special training but they don't really like going to those genius bars in the mall. They are pretty smart dressers, these elves, and they don't like those blue T-shirts the geniuses wear. Also they can't wear their curly shoes at the mall, and that's a problem because even without their shoes, their toes curl up and that can be uncomfortable.

NHM: What advice do you give to all your "helpers" that make appearances at stores and parades all over the world at Christmastime when you're in high demand?

SC:They already believe in Santa, me, so I tell them to believe in children and don't promise things you can't deliver. When children ask me for a horse or another animal, I have to explain to them that it's not humane to put them in a big sack with toys and throw them down a chimney, and I ask my helpers to explain that. I also tell them to go easy on the Ho, Ho, Hos. Nothing will scare a child more than booming that too loudly.

NHM:Are you a human or are you an elf?

SC:Good question. I'm part of each. I'm a lot taller and Mrs. C will say a lot bigger around the stomach than elves, but other than that there isn't any real difference except that my toes don't curl.

Editor's note: Santa Claus (aka Michael Butler) has been a working Santa for the past 25 years. In addition to his Kris Kringle work, he also drives a school bus part time ("the best way to find out what children want for Christmas," he says) and does tax returns ("the best way to find out what parents can afford"). He can be reached through his Sleigh Phone (603) 882-5640, Workshop Line (603) 886-8504 or at santaofnashua.com.