Do you want to make sure Santa Claus hears your Christmas wishes? Write your letter to Santa and drop it off at the Elizabethton Star in our Mailbox to the North Pole, which will be delivered directly to Santa by North Pole Correspondent Elf Stampz.
Elves at the North Pole stay in close contact with the Star, and have just sent an update with a few words from Santa.
Most of the children in Carter County are on the Nice List, though a few have unfortunately landed their names on the Naughty List.
“There is still time to get on the Nice List,” Santa said. “Most of the kids on the Naughty List have not been respectful to their parents, but some are on it for being unkind to their classmates. If they are polite and well-behaved, it will still be possible to put them on the Nice List. I am always watching!”
He has checked his list once, but he said that he may make changes for children that deserve them when he checks it twice.
It is prime time to get back on the Nice List, because elves report that they have invented some of the most creative gifts in the history of Christmas and they have made more toys than ever before. A new gingerbread house had to be baked and assembled to house the additional toys!
“Despite a couple of sticky situations and delays due to icy blizzards, all the elves are hard at work, though as you know, all their work is play,” said Elf Charlie, who is Head Inventor and Santa’s Workshop Leader.
Elves have been sewing, carving, connecting, cutting, chopping and gluing pieces of toys together for the world’s children, but they always make time for hot chocolate and candy canes.
Though most elves make toys, there are lots of elves with other duties. Elf Bell manages Santa’s stables and takes care of the reindeer, while Elf Kringle oversees the wrapping department. Elf Ernie stokes the fire in the center of the workshop, and manages a team of elves that chop wood and keep holiday fires burning for the whole season.
Elf Ginger creates recipes in the baking department, which is headed by Mrs. Claus. Elf Karol directs the Holly Jolly Choir, which has received the Year’s Cheeriest award from Santa more times than any musical group at the North Pole, and there are many!
Reindeer are reportedly healthy and quite strong. They have been training intensely for their lengthy Christmas Eve journey, competing in ice hockey, distances races, obstacle courses, antler showing, snorting and bleating contests and other reindeer games.
“It will be a close call deciding who will pull Santa’s sleigh this year,” said Elf Bell.
Elf Charlie said that being selected to fly Santa’s sleigh is a huge honor among the reindeer, and that while they take training seriously, it is all for fun in the end.