CHRISTMAS IS CANCELLED!

Alright, everyone, you just stop your hovering! Snickerdoodle has been quite right all along. When I think of all the time I have spent giving to people and then I see something like I have seen this morning. The child says he hates me! He says I am doing a bad job of being Santa!

Well, I will roast everyone's chestnuts... I may have to reconsider my position on the whole matter entirely. Yes, there are no lights left on the tree. You should be glad that there are ornaments left! Now, if you will all excuse me, I will be in my workshop.

I tried my hand at my own gingerbread house today. The thing looks like a polar bear built it. Hohoho. I guess I should leave the gingerbread architecture to others.

The list has been checked twice now (thank goodness for that new software the tech department developed!). It is sad to see how many naughty kids there are this year, but the nice children still deserve to have a lovely Christmas. I think we are about ready to get into the final countdown to the Flight. Of course, the U.S. Thanksgiving comes first. Yum, turkey!

Oh, and the pie! Mrs. Claus makes a wonderful fluffy pumpkin pie, complete with butterscotch pudding and homemade whipped cream. I could eat a whole one, myself. I tell her she should introduce that recipe to the world, but then again, I do enjoy having that specialty kept under wraps.

The toyshops look wonderful, everyone. The Sleigh Captain is very impressed with how organized everything is. Snickerdoodle did mention how much easier it is to keep the gifts organized when there are so few, but I am trying not to think about that too much.

Holy Star, I almost forgot to order a check on the flying gear. I must get that done as soon as possible. I guess that's all from me for now. Keep up the good work, everyone.

Thank goodness for getting a special sneak preview of the Gingerbread Expo. There are some perks to being the head elf around here, I suppose. Not only that, but I have tasted the last batch of new gingerbread that Mrs. Claus will make before the Season officially begins - and the gingerbread is excellent! Just as tasty as the first time I ever had it. Remind me to tell you elves the story of when she and I first met. It was a beautiful, snowy evening and we fell in love after I accidentally ate part of her gingerbread replica of the Taj Mahal. She was not very happy at first, but I soon charmed her with my wit and mystery. Hohoho.

I love remembering evenings like that. I think my tree shined brighter than ever that night. I hope I can improve my mood before the end of the month. I do not like starting the season out feeling so grinchy. I just wish that people would not worry so much. Ah, well, I suppose that's the price of having loved ones. They will always worry.

That was a nice letter Sugar Plum read on the podcast. I am not certain that it entirely makes up for what I have seen come in, but it does put me in a slightly better mood. I believe I am once again looking forward to the Night.

I do not think, however, that the lights will come back on the Tree this year.

Mrs. Claus has encouraged me to spend time with Sugar Plum in her department and in the Thank You Department, but I am not sure I am quite up to that yet. We shall see, I suppose. For now, I am going to concentrate on a few last-minute toys that need my attention.

Well, polar bears claws, I have lost another two lights! I have never before seen so many complaints! I have been sitting in the department all year, but over the past couple of weeks, the increase has been astronomical. When I think of all these years I have spent trying to make people happy - wasted! It is true that Snickerdoodle has a knack for picking out the worst of them, but the worst is quite bad. And I am certain that the best of the thank you letters would be nothing more than drivel.

I am half tempted to just bag the whole thing this year, but I know that my elves have worked too hard. Good King Wenceslas, I am tired of thinking about those naughty children who send in letters like that. My map will surely be smaller this year! I refuse to deliver any toys to children who complain!

I feel better today. I have had some good cookies and milk and some lovely letters that Sugar Plum shared with me. And you elves have helped cheer me up, as well. (For the record, my favorite pie is chocolate mousse! And I enjoy a good brandy every so often, though I will take a scotch or bourbon now and then if it is left for me.)

I finally listened to the last North Pole News and it has left me feeling better, too. I am looking forward to seeing the wonderful Random Acts that Sugar Plum can come up with. All you elves out there can help, remember, by sending in your addresses. You know I do not keep them here since you elves are usually very private about your homes.

Later this evening, I plan on doing some woodcarving, hohoho. I love to be the maker of toys! Sometimes I need to remind myself of that.

Jingle bells, I know many of you are a little worried but you needn't hover! Alright, alright. Not only did that light not come back on, now there is another one out. I really must remember not to take to heart the problems of the world - I must try to always see the good! I am a symbol of what is good, but even people who are good have their bad days.

Please continue to work on your projects. My mood will lighten! There has not been a real problem since that terrible war so long ago so there is no need to get bent out of shape. The Christmas Tree will be fine. Christmas will be fine. Yes, I could wish for more joy and peace and all, but I am realistic. I know that not everyone is as jolly as I am. Well, as I usually am. But this will pass. Please continue on as you always do.

I will be visiting each workstation tomorrow. I know none of you will let me down. We have gifts to make! We have random acts to plan! We have caroling to do! And now, I have pie to eat.

I very much appreciate the comments you elves have left for me, although I am not certain I know who you are. I do not have the all of the world's elves working for me, of course, so I should not be surprised. Your kind comments have made my day a little brighter.

Now, all of you North Pole elves, Mrs. Claus and Sugar Plum are working on the new North Pole News. As you all are aware, the radio show was put on hiatus due to the techelf (you all know him as Snickerdoodle!) being overwhelmed by work in the complaint department. Now, however, Sugar Plum has once again proven how committed she is to us by taking care of the new publishing location all on her own. But be aware that the new show will be broadcast on a public hosting site. I have my doubts about whether or not we can keep it from the ears of the rest of the world, but Sugar Plum is confident that she can do it.

I am definitely looking forward to their first new episode. I love to sit in my chair sipping my hot cocoa while they read Christmas stories and play Christmas songs.

Well, just the thought of that has made me a little happier! I should go check my Tree... I am sure that after I listen to that, I will be prepared with a lot of Spirit when I sit in Complaint Receiving again. I do feel terrible about Snickerdoodle having to read all those grumpy letters alone.

Oh, lights and stars. It seems that someone has been into my blog! Either that or this thing does not work the way I thought. It said I received a comment, but now... where is it? And after the day I have had, I was looking forward to getting a nice, cheerful comment. Ah, well. Sometimes gifts fall off the sleigh, I guess.

And, yes, for those of you who are wondering, one of the lights on the Christmas Tree has gone out. I admit I felt a little grinchy the past couple of days. I have seen such a rise in the number of complaint mail coming through here that it has gotten me a little down.

Do not fret, my friends, you know we lose a light or two every year. Sugar Plum and the Random Acts of Christmas team are helping to cheer me up. And it is working! I am feeling much, much better after a new rendition of "Joy to the World."

Mrs. Claus is also joining in the cause, hohoho. She has worked tirelessly to put the finishing touches on her gingerbread recipe. I love gingerbread! I cannot imagine anyone who dislikes it, though, so... Well, it is calling my name... Or is that my stomach talking to me? Hohoho. It sounds like a Polar bear right before a meal. Time to go!

Hohoho! What a snowball fight! I mean that literally, too. I feel very light (and that is saying something) and joyful as I do after every snowball war practice. I think my team will win this year! I felt so good that some of you may find a new snowball ornament on my Christmas Tree.

And, when I got back and changed into warm clothes, I noticed that my sleigh was shinier than ever. Amazing what a nice coat of snowax can do for a red paintjob, hohoho.

Now it is time for me to taste-test Mrs. Claus' entry into the North Pole Gingerbread Expo. I love this time of year.

I have been working with the reindeer on some new landing techniques today. Many of you commented on how gentle the last one was and I agree! You will certainly see more of that one in the coming weeks. I am calling it The Snowfall. Has a nice ring to it, I think. You may notice that the reindeer are getting quite excited, as they normally do this time of year. Please remember not to give them extra cookies just because they ask for them. No one needs hyperactive reindeer!

And what a wonderful sound I heard from the Choirhall this morning. I love to hear Christmas carols. Next to jingle bells, it is my favorite sound in the world. I have been told that the choir is still looking for elves to join up so if you would like, you may attend the meeting tomorrow morning. I would, but the last time I attempted to sing for them, they told me I sounded like a polar bear with a cold and kicked me out. Hohoho. I suppose they were right.

I do wish more people out in the world would hold on to the tradition of caroling. What a wonderful, Christmasy activity!

Hahahappy Halloween! I am really looking forward to the costume party tonight. Mrs. Claus and I have wonderful costumes, thank you honey!

Sometimes I believe that Halloween is as misunderstood as Christmas. In my many, many years of life, I have seen this holiday change into something both frightening and commercial. I cannot help but be afraid that my own special day will become a day to fear. It is already more than half commercialized... The next step could very well be that we are left with Christmas being a scary, commercial farce of a holiday.

But, candy canes, that is not something to dwell on, is it? Today is a day for fun and remembering those who have gone before us. I hope you elves have a good time and leave some pumpkin punch for me!