Santa

WHO: Santa Claus, the jolly old man with the big sack of gifts. WHEN & WHERE: Stopping in at The MacKenzie Art Gallery Holiday Celebration. CLOTHES: Vintage red and white couture, designed by his elves.

Always looking good in red and answering to St. Nick, Father Christmas and, most recently, Yo Fat Man, our trusted friend is always in good spirits this time of year. Since we were young, he has kept tabs on our naughty or nice factor. And now that we’re adults and we (probably) don’t even leave cookies and milk out for him anymore, we know he still might leave us a little something under that sparkly tree. (Don’t worry about the milk; he’s become lactose intolerant over the years.)

How are you feeling with it being so close to your busiest day of the year?

Stressed. And of course with the coalition government stuff, I don’t really know which provinces it’s safe to land in.

Where is Ms. Claus today?

Oh, baking cookies of course. She has been busy booking our trip to Jamaica; we leave on the 26^th of December. So she has been preparing by doing her Pilates and spinning classes.

What is your favourite Christmas movie?

It’s a Wonderful Life. That or Smoky and the Bandit.

How many elves work for you?

Well, with being unionized, it goes up and down. But I would say around 2,500. In real people height, that would be 1,500.

What do you suggest we not leave under the tree for you?

My mother-in-law’s cooking, anything from last year, or beans.

What’s the worst Christmas you’ve ever had?

It would have been the time a 375-pound person came running across the room and landed on Santa’s lap.

Do you ever get to hang out with the Easter Bunny at all?

Oh yes! I hang out with him and Jack Frost quite a bit. Jack and he are always getting into the shooters. He’s the worst one when he gets into the sauce a bit too much.

What do you dislike about Christmas?

The greed.

Interview and photography by Carey Shaw for prairie dog.