Kids these days are on the ball – a lot more savvy then their folks, so they’re not going to be fobbed off with vague answers about Santy or his helpers. They want the full story. This is no mean feat; the full story is a complicated thing for parents because unfortunately it can vary according to country, culture and even from one house to the next!
Here at RTÉ LifeStyle, we thought we would share a couple of our Santy beliefs with you in the hope that they may help you and more importantly your little people with theirs!
For parents of Santy loving children, we’re hoping these guidelines will be of some assistance. Santy-fans who are able to read this, firstly, nice one on the reading front and secondly, I hope this answers a couple of questions that you might have.
-
How does Santy get himself and the pressies down the chimney?
As you know Santy is magic. He wouldn’t be able to fit down most chimneys so he magic’s them bigger so he doesn’t seriously harm himself, especially if the fireplace ash is still hot below! He magics the chimneys bigger and down he pops into the sitting room or kitchen. He doesn’t hit his head at the other end because he magic’s that bigger too. Simples.
The sack that he keeps all the Christmas presents in is magic too and á la Mary Poppins, able to shrink and get bigger when he needs it to. How else could he fit all of the presents for all of the children around the world?!
2. How does Santa manage to deliver all of the right presents to the right children all on Christmas Eve?
As Santa prepares to set out on his journey on Christmas Eve, RTÉ News journalist Cian McCormack is looking at the science and maths that enables him to travel the world in just one night. He has the answers or at least he goes on a quest to uncover the secrets of Santa. He will bring the findings to listeners of Morning Ireland (between 8.30am and 9am) on RTÉ Radio 1 on Christmas Eve, Thursday December 24 and later that day on the Six One and Nine News on RTÉ One Television.
-
How will Santy leave presents if there is no chimney?
Santy is around a very, very long time. Some say he dates back to the fourth century and originally was a Greek saint, St Nicholas of Myra who became the Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor (Turkey as we call it now). He was a secret-present giver to the poor and many miracles have been connected to him – so all in all a pretty cool sounding guy. Anyhow, chimneys were the order of the day then – there was no central heating at the time so ever since, Santy has been fond of the old style chimneys. However, being magic and able to make chimneys bigger and smaller, he can also open doors and windows so, no chimney? No problem.
- How does Santy know if you’re not in your own home on Christmas Eve?
Everyone knows how busy elves are but they don’t just make toys. They also help Santa with his Naughty/Nice list and keep tabs on children’s whereabouts for when Santy is doing his rounds. Don’t worry, Santy knows where you will be.
- What do you leave out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve?
He is fond of cookies but he does have a big round tummy and Mrs Claus is trying to get him to eat a little bit more healthily so maybe one biscuit or cookie and an apple or banana or seeds or whatever healthy snack you like? He can wash it all down with a glass of milk or water – much better than leaving out a big person’s drink...he still has to fly his sleigh!
- What about the reindeers?
It may be predictable but the reindeers do love carrots and seeds too (make sure no one is allergic to them in your house!) so they will love if you could leave some out for them. Best thing to do is have a little bite for each of the nine reindeers, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and of course, Rudolf. That way they’ll all be happy – sometimes Rudolf is the only one who gets spoiled!
- You think you hear something?
Santy tries really hard not to make any noise when delivering the presents but sometimes accidents happen. Sooo if you do hear something and you know you’re supposed to be asleep, try not to disturb him, stay in bed and go back to sleep as quick as you can! Soon it’ll be morning time and hopefully there will be some gorgeous surprises awaiting you...
- When is it Santy and when is it Santa?
It’s a bit like the Fred Astaire and Ginger Roger’s number Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off – you like potato, I like potatoe, you like tomato and I like tomato – it doesn’t matter! Santy, santa, St Nicholas, or as they say in Brazi, Papai Noel, in Chile it’s Viejo Pascuero (Old Man Christmas), in China - Dun Che Lao Ren (Christmas Old Man), Denmark – Julemanden, Finland – Joulupukki, France – Père Noël, Germany – Weihnachtsmann (Christmas Man), in Greece– Άγιος Βασίλης, Hungary – Mikulas (St. Nicholas), Italy – Babbo Natale, Japan – Hoteiosho (A god or priest bearing gifts), Norway – Julenissen (Christmas gnome), Poland– Święty Mikołaj, Portugal– Pai Natal, Spain – Papa Noel, Romania – Mos Craciun, Russia – Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) or Turkey – Noel Baba – and that’s just for starters. We all know who he is and he answers to many names.
- Why does Santy rarely, if ever, have batteries in the presents?
The toys are made throughout the year and you don’t want to leave batteries in every toy for too long without using them especially in the North Pole where it can get very cold and wet. So Santy often leaves them beside the presents or other times, he lets your Mum, Dad, or guardian get them for you. Hopefully between them all, someone will remember!!
There’s a cheeky little comedian called Bernard Manning who said:
“I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not included.”
- Notes, videos, letters, wrapping paper, sitting room or at the end of the bed – anything goes!
Don’t worry if your friend gets a note, video or letter from Santa on or before Christmas Day and you don’t – he’s a person like you and does things differently for different people. Sometimes he leaves presents at the end of children’s beds and other times, he leaves them in the sitting room or kitchen. It doesn’t matter – he loves all children the same. You’re pretty cool you know, so whatever way he brings you your gifts this Christmas, remember that.
Oh and one other thing, if you see mommy kissing Santa Claus...actually, forget that, I ain’t opening that can. Listen to this instead – lovely intro by a young Michael Jackson.
Last, but not least, a little reminder of why this is such a special time of year. Christmas can bring out the best in people - the real Miracle on 34th Street Santa:
