Author Archive for: Editor
Entries by Jeff Westover
Is it Donner or Donder?
Dear Ernest, I notice you use Donner as one of the main reindeer in Santa’s group but isn’t it Donder who was one of the original reindeer who pulled Santa’s sleigh? Thanks, Rhona Hi Rhona, Good catch. But Donner and Donder are actually one-and-the-same. While “Donder” is his proper name, ‘Donner” is his nickname. There’s […]
What exactly is an elf?
Dear Ernest, What exactly is an elf? Boomer W. Milwaukee, USA. Hey Boomer, That’s a great question and I’m glad you asked it. In the movies, most elves are depicted as short people with squeaky voices, no brains and stupid outfits. And while that might be true of a few elves, the majority of us […]
Nobody Believes Me
By Zachary Hunt Nobody believes me. My wife doesn’t believe me. My son just shakes his head and laughs. Even the Sheriff’s Department is giving me a hard time about this. But I swear to you — I saw Santa Claus in my backyard. It was in broad daylight. And I have photographic proof that […]
The True Story of Santa Claus
Santa Claus is real. And this is his true story. Born nearly 2000 years ago, not too long after the days that Jesus Christ walked the earth, Nicholas was born to wealthy parents in a tiny village in the country we today call Turkey. Though Nicholas was a child of privilege, he was raised a […]
Santa Speaks 2004
Every year Santa Claus grants a single interview with a representative of the popular media. This representative gathers questions from all major media sources and presents them to Santa at one time. Ted Koppel had practically begged to get Santa on Nightline this year but Santa doesn’t usually stay up that late and had to […]
The Gift My Brother Couldn’t Give
By Gary E. Anderson In the first years after my brothers, sister, and I left home, there were several Christmases in which our ability to give fell far short of our desire. In fact, we often found ourselves getting very creative if we were going to give any Christmas presents at all. But those early […]
Santa Speaks 2003
Once a year – usually in October – Santa sits down with a media representative and fields questions. As in years past, Santa has asked journalists from all news organizations to consolidate their questions into this one interview. Santa almost agreed to meet with Barbara Walters this year, but declined the invite because he can’t […]
Does Santa ever get skinny?
Dear Ernest, When Christmas is over, does Santa lose weight and get skinny or does he stay the same size all year long? Also, how many elves are there at the North Pole? Thanks, David, age 7 Hi David, Santa’s pretty regular with his weight. He doesn’t think it’s good for his health to be […]
Santa Speaks 2002
Santa recently sat down with NPI News Anchor Harry Holden in Chicago to answer the questions sent in by media professionals from all over the world. This is a transcript of their conversation: Q: So, we meet again, Santa. A: Yes, Harry. Nice to see you again. Remember the last time we were face to […]
The 12 Days of Christmas
By Donna Wahlstrom In the 16th century an unknown author wrote a song that has since become an the all-time Christmas carol favorite, “The 12 Days of Christmas.” Even though the song’s author has not been revealed there is speculation that the song was written by Jesuits. During that time, Catholics were prohibited from practicing […]