15 minutes with ... Santa Claus

Name: Santa Claus

Age: Hundreds of years old

Occupation: Toy maker

Place of birth: North Pole

What do you do in your spare time? We build toys and we sleep.

What is your second favorite holiday (other than Christmas)? Thanksgiving. I like to eat.

Do you get paid overtime? I get paid with love.

Flannel or fleece? Flannel (said with a chuckle).

Did you always want to be Santa Claus when you grew up? Oh, yes.

Any tattoos? No.

If you could invite three people to dinner, who would they be, what would you serve and what would you talk about? I'd invite President Bush, John Wayne and Mrs. Claus. We would have turkey and we'd talk about the world's problems and world peace.

Have you ever gotten stuck in a chimney? Lots of times (another chuckle). I kick and squirm and eventually I make it out.

How many elves to you have? About 15.

What is your nationality? I'm a world nationality.

What languages do you speak? Several.

What do your reindeer eat? Alfalfa.

Are the kids in Garfield County general naughty or nice? Generally, they're good.

What is your own wish for Christmas? Peace on Earth.



Favorites

Christmas movie: Miracle on 34th Street, when the guy has to prove that he's Santa Claus

Christmas poem: Night Before Christmas

Christmas snack: Cookies and milk

Celebrity: Bing Crosby

Reindeer: Rudolph

Season: Christmas season

Favorite place in Garfield County: Garfield County Fairgrounds. I just made an appearance there the other day for LIFT-UP.