Entries by Jeff Westover

Merry Christmas

Today is December 25th, 2014 — and it is Christmas. Merry Christmas! If you have followed us all year in this merry countdown, thank you! If you just joined us somewhere mid-stream, thank you! And if you’re just joining us now, thank you! Today is Christmas Day, the biggest day of the year and the […]

Christmas Eve!

Today is December 24th, 2014 and there remains just 1 day until Christmas. It is Christmas Eve, perhaps the most exciting day of the year for many. Many have already been busily engaged in tracking Santa around the world and most have already “rushed home with their treasures”. All around the world the celebrations of […]

Festivus

Today is December 23rd, 2014 and there are only 2 days until Christmas. Today is Festivus, so drag out your pole and engage in your feats of strength and prepare to air your grievances. Seriously, what is Festivus? It is an alternative to the seasonal celebrations of tradition no matter the time of year, a […]

What makes Rudolph’s nose red?

Dear Ernest (on behalf of Elf Victor, Santa’s head of reindeer operations), What makes Rudolph’s nose red? Does Rudolph have any other family that has…mmmm…a blue nose or a green nose or something like that? JC Dallas, USA He was born with it. No other member of Rudolph’s family has a nose like Rudolph’s. Elf […]

Does Santa have children?

Dear Elf Ernest, Does Santa have any children? Alana Warragul, Australia Yes. But they are all grown up now and have children of their own. That means Santa is also a grandfather. Now, I know that opens up a great many more questions in your mind. What is it like being Santa’s kid? Do his […]

Christmas and Star Wars

What in the world has Star Wars got to do with Christmas? Below is one of the most watched Christmas lights videos of the season and it is completely Star Wars themed. We don’t have anything against Star Wars. We loved it. But we fail to see the merry connection. There is nothing about Darth […]

A Complete History of Tracking Santa Claus

Some would call the tracking of Santa a fairly recent phenomenon. After all, you need technology to follow the Big Guy. The truth is that Santa has been anticipated and tracked for centuries. Ancient stories of La Befana (Italy), Baboushka (Russia) and Black Pete (Spain) all have elements of anticipating a gift bringer and tracking […]

Do reindeer actually talk?

Dear Elf Ernest (on behalf of Elf Victor, Santa’s head of reindeer operations), Do reindeer actually talk? Ria Kildare, Ireland Outstanding question! Reindeer are very, very intelligent animals. And they love working for Santa and powering the sleigh. But do they talk? Yes and no. They do not talk like you and I talk. They […]

Can I tell my friends I am an elf?

Dear Ernest (on behalf of Elf Agent X, Santa’s head of Secret Spies), Can I tell my friends I am an elf? Hayden Redwood City, USA No. Not a good idea. Well, okay — maybe. But you have to be smart about it. You don’t want to walk around wearing pointy shoes. You have to […]