Looking around the conference room, I saw that all my department heads were there. “As you know,” I announced, “we are here to discuss how Christmas 2025 went and where we can improve for next year. Bernard, would you like to start?”
“Santa, could we…,” Highstep hesitated and stood up. “What I mean is… I think you should share some stories about your visits before Christmas. Then we can talk about improvements.”
All the elves began clapping and cheering. Then Fizzlepop shouted out, “What was the strangest request you got this year?”
“OK, I guess we can do that. Hmmm … strangest thing.” I sat back in my chair and tugged gently at my beard. “That’s easy,” I laughed. “There was a little boy who asked for a banana . . . “
“A banana?” several elves echoed.
“Yes, a banana. When I pressed him, he didn’t waver, and finally added that he wanted a toy banana and a real one. I checked his letter to me when I got home and sure enough, all he had on his list was a banana. I never understood it, but I definitely delivered what he requested.”
After the hooting died down, Needler, my elf in charge of the costume workshop asked, “Since you have so many Santa helpers, I always wondered if anyone ever accused you of not being the ‘real’ Santa.”
“Always!” I leaned forward and told them about a little boy who was convinced that I could never be the real Santa. He said, ‘Santa only wears the suit with the white fur down the front.’”
As the elves groaned in disbelief, I paused to take a bite of my cookie and a sip of hot cocoa.
“What does that mean?” several elves mumbled before Needler spoke. “Did you explain that, just like people, you have many different suits that you wear?”
“Since I was wearing my button up suit that day, I did try to explain, but no matter what I said about my multiple suits and the need to change clothes daily just like he does, it didn’t matter. I didn’t have the right suit on and that was that.”
My managers giggled and shook their heads. As they discussed the problem, I pointed out that most of my Santa helpers also had a variety of suits. “I still wonder why this boy settled on the suit with the white fur trim down the front.”
Changing the subject, Bernard asked about the Cincinnati Museum Center. “You always enjoy your visits there, especially when you take Santa Pat’s place.”
“You’re right, Bernard. I do. But there was this one day when I filled in for him that was exciting. I was just around the corner from two women when I overheard them talking while their children played at the Lego table. ‘Absolutely no one can tell me,’ said the one woman, ‘that this man isn’t Santa. I honestly think he is the real deal at this point.’”
I was trying not to giggle and give myself away when her friend responded. ‘I could not agree more,’ she said. ‘He goes above and beyond, spending quality time and really talking to each child. He chatted quite a bit with my kiddos, asking them questions while kindly using their names throughout the conversation. He is the quintessential Santa of warmth and cheer. My two and a half and four-year-old adored him. We also saw him kindly chatting and taking funny photos with some teens in the group in front of us.’”
“That was nice to hear,” I mused aloud. “But this is the best part. The other woman paused and then added, ‘Yeah, I agree. His belt buckle, shoes, and everything have seriously convinced me that Santa is Real.’ Now how do you like that? Sometimes adults really surprise me.”
All went silent till Birdie, my manager of the Scout Elves, blurted out, “I can’t believe everyone doesn’t recognize you as the real Santa!”
The room exploded into lots of commenting till I brought the elves to order. “Well, I am very selective about who I choose to be my helpers. After they go through intensive training, most of them are pretty convincing when they play me. No wonder people get confused,” I chuckled.
“I guess so, but there can be only one Santa, and that’s you. None of us will ever be confused,” teased Bernard.
When the laughter ended, Girder asked how my playing Legos with the children at the museum went this year. “I know how much you enjoy that.”
“I did and as always, it’s amazing to see some of the things the children make. I told one little boy that what he was making looked like my hat going down a chimney. Later he showed me his finished replica of me made from Legos.” I held up the Santa and watched the elves nod their approval.
“Someone needs to hire that little boy,” Girder yelled. “He’s good.”
The elves knew I wanted to begin the meeting but pressed me for one more story. I noticed Fancy, my elf in charge of the Imaginative Play Workshop, raise his hand. “I want to know if the little boy who gave you the Turtle Dove two years ago came see you.”
“As a matter of fact, he did. Pokémon and anything to do with Home Alone are what he likes now. He built the house from Home Alone with his dad out of Legos and did an amazing job. If I didn’t know better, I would have thought one of you built it!”
“Did he give it to you?” Girder asked chuckling.
“Of course not. He was so proud of what he and his dad had done. They even have it displayed in a prominent place next to their tree, and right under a Red Rider BB gun, where it belongs. He did surprise me with something though.”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a Pokémon card, holding it with the back facing my department heads.
“We make thousands of those,” Parlor, the manager of the games workshop shouted. “What’s so special about that one?”
When I turned the card over, they all gasped. “Where did he get that? We’ve never made that card!”
“Parlor, he made it for me. And now I’m wondering, why we never included a Santa card in any of the sets we make.” My stern look ended all the remarks as the elves ducked their heads.
Unable to keep the laughter inside, I burst into giggles and then sighed. “Now that’s enough about my adventures. Let’s talk about what we did in the workshops and see how we can make improvements for next year.”
Notes From Santa
The incidents in this story all happened during the Christmas Season 2025, however the actual circumstances may have been changed to fit the story.
I hope you enjoyed today’s story. Stories are posted on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, except December. Santa’s next story will be posted on Saturday January 17, 2026. If you have any comments or if there is something you would like me to tell you about, please feel free to leave me a comment. Until the next time . . .
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Photo of Buddy & Santa by Chevron & Lace Photography
Loved this Story, the pictures and your adventures at the CMC – how very exciting!! Woody and I just referred people we talked to down at Big Bone Lick, about the CMC and especially the Ice Age Exhibit – they were from Lexington, KY – they loved Big Bone and had been to the CMC, but not recently! Thanks for sharing your stories, Santa!! Have a Great “vacation”!
YOU ABSOLUTELY ARE THE REAL SANTA! No question about it. Love this story. Almost as much as I love you. Mean it. XOXO