News & Events

Pirate's Eye On...Kris Kringle
Seton Hall > News & Events 

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
by: Larissa Maley

As December approaches and we prepare for the Christmas season, Pirate Press thought it would be a great idea to check in with our beloved Santa Claus, a.k.a. Kris Kringle, and see how he is preparing for this year's Christmas Eve.   
 
How are your preparations for Christmas coming along?
 
Well....it's always an adventure, but I haven't missed a Christmas yet!
 
Do you have helpers working with you to prepare for the big day?
 
I'm lucky enough to have helpers all year.  At the North Pole we start working on Christmas as early as January.
 
The elves are wonderful, of course, but I should add that I have plenty of other helpers: mothers and fathers, grandparents... even older brothers and sisters help me in countless ways to make sure Christmas is wonderful for everyone.
 
What is your favorite part of being Santa?
 
Meeting children and those who used to be children, once upon a time. Don't get me wrong... I love making toys and delivering gifts all over the world, but when I come on Christmas Eve, people are usually asleep.  
 
Since the final stages of toy production are well underway by December, I am free to visit with folks all month long.  I go to breakfasts and lunches at Knights of Columbus events, schools, nursing homes and local tree lighting ceremonies.
 
What are the perks of the job?
 
I never have to wait on long lines in the supermarket or at restaurants in the month of December!
 
Are there any drawbacks to being Santa? If so, what are they?
 
The only drawback to being Santa is being unable to deliver certain types of presents to good little girls and boys.
 
For instance, children often ask me for pets but because it requires a lot of responsibility to take care of an animal I have to have the parents on board before I can deliver a puppy or kitty to a new home. Another difficult request that I sometimes hear from a child is “the only thing I want for Christmas is for Mommy or Daddy to get a new job.”  It touches my heart to think of the generosity of children and how they are often too young to understand the importance of their request.  It's hard for me to know that this is an important Christmas wish I may not be able to help with.
 
What is your favorite type of cookie?  
 
The ones you leave for me on Christmas Eve!
P.S. Please don't forget the milk.
 
How are your reindeer doing?
 
Dasher had a cold a couple of weeks ago, but now that's cleared up, so the team is ready to rock & roll!
 
Can you tell me a little bit about your new venture with "Things Theatrical"?
 
"Things Theatrical" is a start up publicity firm that deals with, well, "Things Theatrical." They help promote me, because let's face it; I am nothing if not theatrical!
 
My great, great grandson, Mark Roger, a 1982 Seton Hall graduate, helped me get involved with “Things Theatrical” and now I have a Facebook page called Kris Kringle Fan Club, as well as a web site called www.SantaNJ.com that helps NJ residents find out when and where I will be during the month of December. 
 
Will you be doing anything special this year to help lift the spirits of families who are struggling right now?
 
Seton Hall's 13th president, the late Bishop John Dougherty said, "If you want to show your support of a person or an organization, you can send a card, a gift or a donation. These things are all good, but there is no substitute for presence."
 
That quote has really stuck with me, so whenever I visit with folks I try to be truly present and really listen to their stories. I think that this Christmas in particular, I will remind people to rejoice in the gift of presence... the presence of our parents, our children, our extended family and friends and enjoy each and every moment that we have together … even if there are fewer "presents" under the tree.
 
All photographs of Santa by: Van Williams

For more information please contact:
Dan Nugent
(973) 378-9822
alumni@shu.edu