INQUIRE: Christmas with Mr. + Mrs. Claus
We were lucky enough to sit down with the stars of the season and talk treats, creativity, Christmas in Vancouver and lots more. With passers-by waving, stopping for pictures and delivering accolades and kind words, it’s clear that Santa and Mrs. Claus are a well-loved duo who know how to make the holidays merry and bright!
What is your favourite holiday treat?
Santa: Mince pies.
Mrs. Claus: Yes, we both love mince pies and we just had a good one too.
What do you love most about Christmas in Vancouver?
Mrs. Claus: Well, we get to do a lot of children’s events in the city and the little ones, they just really believe. We were just at the opening of the post office last week and one little girl made me want to cry. “It’s the best day of my life, I’m so excited,” she said. They had Santa arrive in a big post office van and they went crazy! The children really make it special, it’s all for the children.
Santa: One of the advantages of Vancouver at Christmas is the weather is so good! I do have to leave the reindeer up on Grouse Mountain, but it is nice to be able to get around and do all my visiting without battling too many big snow storms.
Are there any holiday shows or events that you’re particularly excited for this season?
Mrs. Claus: We love Vancouver Christmas Market! I go to the market with Santa but of course he has to work. We really enjoy visiting out at Newlands Golf and Country club, they give the reindeer a break and bring Santa in in a helicopter. We get up at the crack of dawn and I arrive before Santa and ‘la la la’ and get the kids singing. I ‘la la la’ a lot. When Santa arrives and waves from the helicopter everyone runs to greet him and that’s just so much fun because the kiddies really believe.
Santa: VanDusen Garden is just a magic wonderland with all the lights. I just think that no one should miss that. The German Vancouver Christmas Market is a favourite for me too. There’s entertainment and I love that everything is outside and you can look over the ocean there now. I think if it’s a little nippy out, it just makes it that much more festive.
What is your creative outlet?
Santa: Well, I think one of my creative outlets is definitely just talking to the children.
Mrs. Claus: He also spends a lot of time in the garden.
Santa: Oh yes, I love the garden and we pick up all sorts of gardening ideas at different places we visit.
What do you do to de-stress during this busy time?
Mrs. Claus: Sleep. We always need a little nap with our two dogs and three cats.
Santa: Yes, taking the dogs for a walk is a nice way to de-stress. And I just enjoy puttering around and working on things.
Mrs. Claus: We’ve got lots of lights on our house and it’s all timed and everything. There’s just lights all over the house. You should pop in for a cup of tea sometime!
Do you have any holiday style advice?
Mrs. Claus: Well, it’s an incredibly talented man named Ray Buchanan that makes all of our outfits. It’s him that makes us look good. He’s 86 and he’s still making all of this. He just made me this new apron and he’s put little diamantes all over it. He’s wonderful.
Do you have any tips for making it on the ‘nice’ list this year?
Santa: Well, we ask the children if they’re helping with chores around the house and that sort of thing, helping with dishes and making the bed and keeping their room clean. Because, you know, I’ll be watching. I’ll be checking!
Mrs. Claus: I always say you have to be polite. Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.
Santa: And you know, even if someone says that they’re on the ‘naughty’ list, I’m always very encouraging and say, “that’s okay, Santa likes all kinds!”
Mrs. Claus: Santa, you’re the best.
What are your go-to karaoke songs?
Santa: Dean Martin is one of my favourites.
Mrs. Claus: My favourite carol is ‘O Holy Night’
Santa: The Christmas song I love singing most is ‘Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer’ because I have my certain parts that I get to sing really loud. “Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight!” The poor pianist you know, I’m singing out of tune.
Mrs. Claus: You don’t see Santa sing that often, but we dance and we do-si-do. We make a big thing of it.
Do you have any words to live by?
Mrs. Claus: Well we’re always very polite and respectful to each other. I think you should just always be nice and considerate of one another. We do things for each other and we’re very supportive.
Santa: I like the old saying ‘don’t sweat the small stuff,’ just roll with the punches and enjoy life.
Thank you to Gillian and Edward for sitting down with us. You can learn more about them here.
Categories: MPMG