Oh, snowflakes and magic, this has been one crazy season. I just wanted to say to all of you elves that you have done something wonderful. You helped me back on my path and I am forever grateful.

This is it for me until next Christmas season. Me and the Mrs. have been laying low the past week and now we will be off on vacation for a while.

So, from the two of us, and all of us here in the North Pole, have a Happy New Year. Be safe and happy and healthy.

Ho ho ho!

I certainly do not understand why all of you elves think I should continue with Christmas! Yes, it is lovely that some people enjoy the season, but the naughty letters keep coming! And there are so many of them. I stand by my original declaration: Christmas is canceled!

The tree looks rather nice. And the cookies have been wonderful. I understand that there are many of you who believe that the nice treats and lovely things people have sent me will make me reconsider the cancellation. I admit that it is tempting. I just don't know if I really believe it is the right thing to do. Perhaps if people see a year without Christmas, it will make it better next year.

Well, I still have not decided. It is nice to feel a little happy, though.

Well, little elves, I know you must be thinking that the tree looks pretty good. It is nice to know that a few people have the Christmas Spirit. But a few people having the Spirit is just that: nice. It does not mean that I have changed my mind about canceling Christmas!

Oh, sure, I am missing the excitement of the days leading up to Christmas Eve but not enough to get out there and mess with a holiday that so few people even enjoy anymore!

It is quite extraordinary how I am sitting in my workshop so close to Christmas and not doing anything. Usually, this is the time of year when things get crazy and chaotic. However, it is sort of nice to have all this time to myself.

And while the Tree is bare and Sugar Plum is trying to get my "spirit" back, it looks like she is all alone in that endeavour. None of the other elves who are stuck up here are very happy about it. None of them are even trying. Snickerdoodle has told her that she's fighting a lost cause... If the elves do not have their Christmas Spirit, I do not understand why I must have it.

I am enjoying myself and catching up on a few things I never have time for anymore.

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!

Snowflakes, it is already time for a new blog from the big guy. (I mean, me, not God hohoho.) The weather seems to be holding pretty well everywhere and my meteorologelves are doing a bang up job working with the Mrs. on my itinerary this year. The map is still a bit of a rough draft but there are less and less red marks all over it, which makes me feel as cozy as a hibernating polar bear.

Now is the time for me to carbo-load, hohoho. I told the Mrs. that I would need some of those delicious snickerdoodles before I went to check over the itinerary but instead, she gave me soup! I will be Grinched. I do not think I have ever asked for soup, hohoho. She is good to me, though.

As I looked at the map earlier today, I must say I believe that there are a lot more naughty kids out there this year so my route seems a lot shorter. I'm sure it's just a trick of my imagination - I always get a little antsy this time of year. I hope that I see some improvements and get a few more good letters to tip the balance back to the cheerful side of Christmas. I really dislike giving coal - metephorical or real.

My Second Blog Attempt

It has been a pleasant day today. I have watched the meteorologelves really get in gear for the season. A little snow here, some warmer weather there - it is enough, by ornaments, to make a man feel 1000 years younger!

I have also spent some time organizing the requests, so my elf friends, be prepared to receive new work orders over the next day or so. We are coming up on crunch time, oooh, crunch! That reminds me that I promised the bakers to pass along this message: stay out of the kitchen until further notice. They are putting the final preparations to the practice Thanksgiving feast. We do not want to mess with that. It would be like putting Christmas gifts out early and spoiling the surprise!

The Random Acts of Christmas Elves have really got their work cut out for them this year. I know because I have been in the mailroom again today and if there were not more complaint letters today than usual I will be a rotten fruitcake. So be sure, my good elves, to lend a hand when you have a chance especially with the Intangible Gifts Division.

Oh, Christmas cookies! I almost forgot. Mrs. Claus has made up a wonderful new cake recipe that she would like me to try. I do not know what my favorite part of Christmas really is sometimes... the spirit of giving or the treats. Hohoho.

Hohoho, sleighs and reindeer! This blogging nonsense is not so hard as I first thought. When the Mrs. suggested it, I imagined much greater intricacies, but I never knew it was all so simple!

So, you young elves out there, I have obviously taken the idea and enacted it. I understand that you have wanted news straight from the source and I respect that. Your boss (hohoho, garland and ice that sounds odd for a jolly man such as myself!) had given in to the vice of technology and here you have what you asked for: Santa's blog.

I will refrain from reiterating the News from the North radio show and just delve into my own thoughts on what has been going on up here lately. Snowflakes, why my comings and goings should matter to you elves, I have no idea. But here they are.

Today has been much the same as always. I helped the elves in the toyshop this morning and, I must say, the amazing innovations are growing like peppermint canes on a candy farm. Why, earlier today Sugar Plum, the head of the Ballerina Division of the Toyshop, listed off the newest ideas you elves have come up with. Imagine, holy stars and wisemen, just imagine how little children will love a doll that will sing songs downloaded into a computer chip imbedded inside her! We certainly have come a long way since the days of simple babydolls.

Not only that, but the Random Acts of Christmas Elves are developing some very fine activities that we can all participate in. It will be reindeer games and hot chocolate all season long, I just know it.

Now I know that some of you have a difficult time finding your Christmas Spirit when you read some of the sad complaint letters we get, but that is something that comes with the magic of the North Pole. A price to pay, if you will. We will not always make every child happy. We do our best and keep at it. So take those scrooge letters and use them to improve, but do not let them detract from your good times this year.

I know that this season will be a wonderful, jolly year full of Christmas treats and holiday spirit.