Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

ROCHESTER — Santa and Mrs. Claus encourage Fulton County residents to keep the Christmas spirit.

The couple did an interview from their temporary home on the Fulton County Courthouse lawn Wednesday, Dec. 13.

“Even though times are tough for everybody, it’s extremely important to not lose that Christmas spirit,” said Santa. “Just don’t lose it.”

Mrs. Claus said she thanks county residents for “keeping the (Christmas) magic.”

Santa said overall the Christmas spirit seems up in the county.

“Compared to previous years, it’s a lot better,” he said. “The whole COVID thing took a major toll. It seems to be a lot better.”

“There’s a lot more participation,” said Santa. “The community has participated a lot more.”

Santa said the Rochester Downtown Partnership’s Holiday Stroll on Friday, Dec. 1, when he and Mrs. Claus arrived “had more activities” than the year before.

As of Wednesday, Dec. 13, he and Mrs. Claus had visited with approximately 500 kids at the house.

“It’s amazing to see all the kids come out,” said Santa.

He and Mrs. Claus noted L.O.L. dolls, LEGOs and robot dogs are the toys children have requested the most locally.

“I’m assuming that’s probably a TikTok thing,” said Santa of the robot dogs.

He noted he was unfamiliar with TikTok.

“We haven’t gotten into that market yet, but we’re working on it,” he said.

Santa said he and Mrs. Claus had worked on adjusting to the warmer weather in Fulton County since they were used to the North Pole.

“We are used to frigid, frigid temperatures, and all of this is like summer vacation for us,” said Santa. “It’s a summer temperature for us. It’s bizarre.”

Santa said he and Mrs. Claus brought one reindeer, Prancer, to the Holiday Stroll.

“The sleigh’s in the shop getting repaired. That way we can make it home in 10 days … to get everything loaded up,” he said.

Santa detailed his preparation for working all night to deliver Christmas gifts.

“It’s making sure we get plenty of sleep and we’re ready, obviously checking the list, making sure we didn’t miss anybody,” he said.

He said he keeps going while delivering gifts via eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate as well as coffee and energy drinks.

Mrs. Claus noted Santa’s favorite cookies are sugar and chocolate chip, if people are wondering what to put out.

The couple said people should also have one carrot for the reindeer if possible.

“So each house we visit, one reindeer gets one carrot, so if we keep it in line and keep it sequential, that way they all get fed and they all keep their bellies full,” said Santa.

He and Mrs. Claus reflected on their favorite Christmas songs, with Santa preferring “White Christmas” by The Drifters. Mrs. Claus likes “Silent Night,” though not by any particular artist.

Visitors to the couple’s house may notice the decor is scaled down from last year.

“Last year, we had two trees,” mentioned Mrs. Claus.

“It was just too much,” added Santa.

He and Mrs. Claus decide how the house will look each year, with the elves helping decorate.

Santa said the couple may “hopefully” get a new house next year.

“That’s what we were told,” he said.

Kids may still share their Christmas wishes with Santa at his house from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, before the couple leaves to return to the North Pole.