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Opinion: School shows are a magical part of the holidays

Scott Simon with his daughter, Elise, during the holidays. Caroline Simon hide caption

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Caroline Simon

Opinion

Simon Says

Opinion: School shows are a magical part of the holidays

NPR's Scott Simon talks about how much he enjoys watching school stage productions this time of year and why.

Opinion: School shows are a magical part of the holidays

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National

For kids who survived tornadoes, Santa comes 'a little bit differently' this year

Holiday gift donations have poured in from across the country for children who survived the tornadoes in western Kentucky.

For kids who survived tornadoes, Santa comes 'a little bit differently' this year

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Black Santas are helping to change holiday icons and add more representation

Santa at the West Dallas Christmas Block Party Michelle Aslam/NPR hide caption

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Michelle Aslam/NPR

Race

Black Santas are helping to change holiday icons and add more representation

African American communities say they appreciate a growing trend of Black Santa Claus representations at Christmas

Black Santas are helping to change holiday icons and add more representation

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Coronavirus FAQ: Is it OK for the kids to take a pic with Santa?

A Santa Claus in Germany wears a surgical mask in December 2020. If you're planning to take the kids to see Santa this year, experts say it's safest to keep everyone's masks on. Caroline Seidel/picture alliance via Getty Images hide caption

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Caroline Seidel/picture alliance via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

Coronavirus FAQ: Is it OK for the kids to take a pic with Santa?

Plus: Is it safe to go to a holiday party if not everyone is vaccinated? And are people getting different side effects from the COVID booster?

Santa Claus is coming to town and he's busier than ever

Santa entertainer Randyl Wagner examines a Santa suit at his home. Jeff Dean/NPR hide caption

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Jeff Dean/NPR

Economy

Santa Claus is coming to town and he's busier than ever

Santa Claus performers are working from dawn to late in the evening as they try to meet the pent-up demand for appearances, while dealing with retirements and deaths among their ranks.

Santa Claus is coming to town and he's busier than ever

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Opinion: 'Twas The Night Before Christmas in 2020

With countless lights, Christmassy illuminated man-high trees and reindeer decorate the entrance of a shop dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images hide caption

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dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Opinion

Simon Says

Opinion: 'Twas The Night Before Christmas in 2020

With apologies to Clement Clarke Moore, NPR's Scott Simon updates "A Visit from St. Nicholas" for 2020.

Opinion: 'Twas The Night Before Christmas in 2020

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David Sedaris Reads From 'Santaland Diaries'

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NPR's Holiday Favorites

David Sedaris Reads From 'Santaland Diaries'

The holiday tradition continues. Writer David Sedaris reads from his "Santaland Diaries," recounting his time spent working as a Macy's department store elf named Crumpet.

David Sedaris Reads From 'Santaland Diaries'

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In Bethlehem, 'Baba Noel' Delivers Christmas Gifts To Palestinian Children

Sabri Canaan, 30, dons a Santa suit to deliver presents as Baba Noel (Father Christmas) on Christmas Eve in Bethlehem. His driver Mohammed Battah (left) briefs him on the list of children receiving gifts. Daniel Estrin/NPR hide caption

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Daniel Estrin/NPR

World

In Bethlehem, 'Baba Noel' Delivers Christmas Gifts To Palestinian Children

In the Holy Land, Santa doesn't come down the chimney or wait till kids are asleep to deliver presents. "Baba Noel" or Father Christmas hops out of a red van and makes house calls while they're awake.

Philly Frustration, 1968: 'The Day That They Were All Against Everything'

It's been 50 years since Philadelphia Eagles fans pelted Santa with snow balls from the stands. Some people say they are ashamed of what happened that day, while others remain unapologetic. Alex Pantling/Getty Images hide caption

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1968: How We Got Here

Philly Frustration, 1968: 'The Day That They Were All Against Everything'

Philadelphia Eagles fans are known for passionately — sometimes rudely — backing their team. That reputation was cemented on a cold Sunday in 1968, when disgruntled fans pelted Santa with snowballs.

Philly Frustration, 1968: 'The Day That They Were All Against Everything'

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He Is Jewish, But Being Santa Is His Calling

Adam Roseman, 52, and Rick Rosenthal, 66, pose after their StoryCorps interview in Atlanta. Brenda Ford/StoryCorps hide caption

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Brenda Ford/StoryCorps

StoryCorps

He Is Jewish, But Being Santa Is His Calling

Rick Rosenthal has been playing the role of Santa for almost seven years. At StoryCorps, he recalls how it all began.

He Is Jewish, But Being Santa Is His Calling

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Black Santa Claus Is A Hit At Mall Of America, But Faces An Online Backlash

Larry Jefferson was the first black Santa Claus at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. Courtesy of The Santa Experience hide caption

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Courtesy of The Santa Experience

National

Black Santa Claus Is A Hit At Mall Of America, But Faces An Online Backlash

Larry Jefferson was the first black Santa Claus at the Mall of America in Minnesota. He was popular with the kids, but he sparked on online backlash from people who felt Santa can only be white.

Black Santa Claus Is A Hit At Mall Of America, But Faces An Online Backlash

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Twain's 'Letter From Santa Claus,' A Gift For All Ages

A trade card from the 1880s depicts a Santa Claus figure in a bird-themed sleigh pulled by reindeer as they are about the land on a rooftop to deliver presents from the huge sack of gifts. Getty Images hide caption

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Opinion

Simon Says

Twain's 'Letter From Santa Claus,' A Gift For All Ages

In 1875, Mark Twain wrote a letter to his 3-year-old daughter from Santa Claus. NPR's Scott Simon reflects on a father's love for his daughter at Christmas time.

Twain's 'Letter From Santa Claus,' A Gift For All Ages

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NORAD's Santa Tracker began with a typo and a good sport

Col. Harry Shoup came to be known as the "Santa Colonel." He died in 2009. Courtesy of NORAD hide caption

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Courtesy of NORAD

Opinion

StoryCorps

NORAD's Santa Tracker began with a typo and a good sport

It all started in 1955 with a misprint in a Colorado newspaper and a call to Col. Harry Shoup's secret military hotline. Shoup played along with the tiny voice who called, and a tradition was born.

NORAD's Santa Tracker began with a typo and a good sport

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A Funny Philosopher Tackles A Tough Query: 'Does Santa Exist?'

Eric Kaplan has written for various shows, including The Big Bang Theory, Futurama and Flight of the Concords. Stephanie Diani/Dutton hide caption

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Stephanie Diani/Dutton

Author Interviews

A Funny Philosopher Tackles A Tough Query: 'Does Santa Exist?'

Eric Kaplan's son had a zoo trip canceled because one mom worried about reindeer-induced questions. So Kaplan, a comedy writer and philosophy grad student, started pondering the puzzle of St. Nick.

A Funny Philosopher Tackles A Tough Query: 'Does Santa Exist?'

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