The North Pole is the most magical place you could ever imagine. White snow glistens under the sun. There are forests of Christmas trees and reindeers and polar bears everywhere. Even though I travel all around the world one night each year, my favourite place will always be the North Pole.
From here, I can see all the children’s houses from all over the world — that’s how I keep an eye on them and know if they’ve been bad or good.
My workshop is open 24/7 especially just before Christmas. We need to make so many toys that we cannot stop, but don’t worry, the elves get holidays in the other half of the year.
From afar, the workshop looks a bit like a big castle. When you go in, you pass the reception with the elf receptionist, who’s lovely. Then you enter the factory, where you can find all the materials to make toys: wood, paint, glitter, everything. Then you enter a second room: this is the testing room. Our elves love trying the toys out before sending them out to children all over the world so they can be sure they are ready to play with and, of course, safe.
Finally, there’s the wrapping room, where all the gifts are wrapped with colourful paper and ribbons, ready to go to their new homes and make all the children happy.
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I work with the elves, of course, but also Mrs Claus, who supervises all the gift lists and production. I’d be lost without them all. The building is full of chatter and the elves sing along while working, so there’s always a great atmosphere. There’s also lots of things flying around too. Mind your head! Ho, ho, ho!
I work at the very top of the factory. I have my office there where it’s quiet and I can read all the children’s letters and check the lists of gifts. I also spend a lot of time outside taking care of reindeer, especially Comet who is probably the wildest one, but there’s also Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph. Comet loves to play, Dasher is the fastest one and Rudolph, of course, is my guide and the leader of all of them. I can count on him to guide me through snowstorms! The nine reindeer are all so different but I love them all the same; they’re my loyal companions. I make sure to wrap up warm when I’m with them, but they don’t need to as they are covered in thick, cosy fur, even their hooves.
I always keep a little shiny star in my pocket. It reminds me that there are always stars out there no matter where in the world you are. It fell from the sky and landed on my hat in the North Pole a hundred years ago one Christmas Eve, right before I was getting my sleigh ready to go. It shines brightly and I made a Christmas tree ornament from it. I put it in my pocket on Christmas Eve as a lucky charm. It’s my lucky star.
I also always have a little reindeer bell that I keep with me too. It’s a magic one: when I ring it, one of my reindeer appears like magic!
It’s heavenly being up in the sky in the middle of the night, being able to see everyone and everything from there. The stars guide me and it’s very cold up there, but when I look down and see all these twinkling lights and homes waiting for me, it warms my heart.
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There was a really bad snowstorm one Christmas Eve, and we had to stop to rest a bit and have some of the treats left out for us by some very kind children, but we got back on the road very quickly! Magic protects us from mishaps. And no, I haven’t got stuck in any chimneys yet, although I must eat fewer delicious mince pies this year.
The funniest thing that has ever happened was probably when someone in Ireland left their glass of Guinness under the tree and I thought it was hot chocolate. I was quite giddy after drinking it, but everyone got their presents and we made it back to the North Pole okay.
I was born and raised at the North Pole. I’m used to the cold and the snow and would never want to leave. That’s where I belong. Some call me St Nicholas, others Pere Noel or Santy, but it’s all the same to me. Legends and tales surround our family history, but what counts is the eternal love and belief from kids.
When I was younger, I did an internship with a green creature named the Grinch, but I didn’t like his way of working so I started my own thing. I love my job. But I have so much help back in the North Pole so I can’t take all the credit.
I’ve been doing this work for more than 200 years now, and I will do it as long as children believe in me. So keep believing children. I’ve never wished that my life would be different. I think this is the best job in the world. Ho, ho, ho!
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Santa Claus is visiting the Hardiman Hotel in Galway for Santa lunches every Saturday and Sunday in December
