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A Little Bit About... Santa Claus
BY ANGELA KELLY22/12/2006
Father Christmas is a welcome and familiar figure in stores and shopping centres at this time of year. He traditionally lives in Greenland, although he is claimed by several other countries with plenty of snow and is universally recognised with his reindeer as the bringer of festive gifts and goodwill.
The first thing I do when I wake up is...
have a good stretch and enjoy a lovely cup of tea
brought by one of my elves.
If money was no object I would...
get a really souped-up sleigh so I can get to
everyone much quicker on Christmas Eve and to give my reindeer an
occasional rest. They get a bit tired once we reach Bramhall these
days.
The greatest gift I ever received was...
some wonderful hair conditioner which I've been
using on my beard. Well, I'm worth it!
My one piece of advice would be...
be nice to your mums and dads and do what you're
told if you really want to get that remote-controlled, laser-lit
Land Rover or Christina Aguilera Barbie.
My first job was...
as an apprentice toy-maker in Santa's workshop. It
was part of an elf-help scheme to give budding Santas work
experience. No pay but we did have a laugh!
I'm scared of...
people who
don't believe in Christmas and who refuse to celebrate the festive
season. Each time they're grumpy around now, a little bit of
starlight dies.
I'm excited by...
letters to Father Christmas from all the boys and
girls - some of them are so funny and some very touching but you
never know just what children will say, do you?
If I could go back in time and do one thing again it would
be...
I might cut back on the Christmas pudding as I'm
struggling with the notches on my belt this year and my red suit is
rather tight!
I love...
hearing children laughing in enjoyment when they
open their presents on Christmas morning - there's just no sound
like it.
I hate...
central heating and burglar alarms. They make
getting into homes to put the presents around the tree rather
difficult.
I want...
a year's subscription to WeightWatchers and a
personal trainer!
You have to read...
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol because it gets
everyone in the right mood for December 25.
Everyone should listen to...
Slade's So Here It Is Merry Christmas. I just love
Noddy Holder, I think he would make an excellent Santa in a few
years' time.
You must watch...
It's A Wonderful Life. That is such a marvellous
film for this time of year. Well, it always makes me cry!
If I could be anyone else I would be...
oh, I wouldn't want to be anyone else. I've got the
best job in the world.
My ultimate ambition would be...
to make sure that all the boys and girls in the
world have gifts at Christmas. Sadly, even in 2006 some families
can't afford much for children on Christmas morning.
My biggest inspiration has been...
Terry Wogan. He's funny and kindly at the same time
and he doesn't mind being a bit like me - well-nourished.
The first time I fell in love...
I saw Mrs Christmas when she was a mince pie-maker
in the main factory. It was her job to put the little pastry stars
on top and I thought I'd never seen anyone so delightful.
I think God is...
generally very fair.
I think the death penalty is...
tragic.
My epitaph would be...
"he loved children and tried to make them
happy."
Fur or faux?
Oh, fake, of course. You didn't think any animals
were hurt to get this trimming, did you?
Mayonnaise or salad cream?
Both, unfortunately!
EastEnders or Coronation Street?
Coronation Street - it's much funnier, and I love
Norris. No one is really that miserable!
Daily Mail or Guardian?
Oh, there's no time for reading newspapers at this
time of year.
Harry or William?
Both, such nice lads.
United or City?
It's got to be the Reds, of course.
Brains or beauty?
I thought I'd got both, ho, ho, ho!
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