Above / Since the annual Holiday Parade of Lights in late November, Santa’s helpers have been seen around Naperville here, there and beyond. As the story goes, the Jolly Old Elf listens best when kids make good eye contact and believe. Ho! Ho! Ho! And good tidings to all! (PN file photo used to illustrate the Bob Ross creation #11 on the December cover.)
‘Tis the season when Santa Claus seems to be around every corner, always surrounding himself with good people. Sometimes he’s ringing bells for the Salvation Army. Sometimes he’s riding in Downtown Naperville holiday parades or greeting shoppers in local businesses. Sometimes he’s sharing memories at Santa breakfasts, posing for photos with kids and their pets, or making surprise appearances at Naperville Municipal Band holiday performances in Wentz Concert Hall.
And believe it or not, way back on Dec. 12, 2021, Santa and other kayakers were row, row, rowing in the DuPage River, “ho-ho-ho-ing” to folks with cameras strolling along the Riverwalk on a seasonably warm Sunday afternoon.
Believe!
Many years ago a mother was overheard telling her children that the “real Santa” always stays out of sight.
“Santa and his spirit of giving and receiving live in the hearts of everyone who believes,” she said.
Santa’s helpers are expected to respect history & follow rules
The image of Santa Claus is influenced by every individual who portrays the stout jolly man with the snow white beard during the ho-ho-holidays. Respect for the history and importance of Old Saint Nicholas so every child enjoys the wonder of the season and a positive experience dates back hundreds of years. Santa Claus— also known as Santa, Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, St. Nick and Kris Kringle— and his legendary sleigh ride that departs from the North Pole at midnight at the beginning of Christmas Day are magical in the memories of young and old.
Many believe Santa Claus originates from the 4th-century Greek bishop Saint Nicholas, in what is now Turkey. St. Nicholas, later called “St. Nick,” was known for his secret gift-giving of gold coins and his generosity, especially to children. Over time, he evolved into the modern jolly, plump figure through 19th-century American poems and illustrations, such as Thomas Nast’s drawings and Clement C. Moore’s poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (1822). “A Visit from St. Nicholas begins “‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house…” Most folks know the rest of the story that ends with an exuberant, “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
For centuries, youngsters—some naughty and mostly nice—have tried to stay awake late on Christmas Eve, eager to get a glimpse of the “real” Santa in action along with his sleigh and reindeer.
How to identify Santa and/or his helpers
Consider a dozen Santa Claus Rules for Santa’s helpers that are followed by every individual who wears a big red Santa suit to provide assistance to the real Santa during the holiday season.
1. Santa Claus with his snow white beard (sometimes short, sometimes long, depending on his haircut schedule) always wears a clean, well-fitting big red suit with a black belt and white gloves.
2. Santa is familiar with this year’s favorite toys. Santa would never ask, “What kind of toy is that?” (Kindly note: After Pictures with Santa and the Leprechaun at Quigley’s Irish Pub the first Sunday in December, Santa reported sets of Legos, all sizes, remained the most popular request from boys and girls who sat with him. Santa added that the kids said they wanted to “build robots with Legos.” Interactive soft toy characters and other “plush” animals were also on many kids’ wish lists. (Santa also reported comments from many folks who visited that Sunday afternoon—they had asked him to extend their gratitude for hosting the annual event. Several dads were happy to say they had family photos with Santa and the Leprechaun dating back more than a dozen years!)
3. Santa Claus always knows the popular kids’ movies that might have marketed toys, too. Characters in 2025 include live-action remakes of How to Train Your Dragon, Zootopia 2, Snow White, and A Minecraft Movie, alongside new adventures like Elio, Smurfs, and The SpongeBob Movie, offering a mix of animated fun and familiar favorites for all ages that might come with action figures, too.
4. Santa Claus will never, ever promise a specific gift. Considering some of the reported disruptions in supply chains this past year, Santa’s helpers have been instructed by Santa to ask kids to be patient in the event he’s in short supply of their toy requests. All he promises is that he’ll be there sometime before the kids wake up on Christmas morning.
5. Santa Claus always has a courteous, cheerful demeanor.
6. Santa Claus is careful with children. He’s never pushy. He always asks the parents to place their baby on his lap. And, yes, Santa is accustomed to little ones who cry. He knows they’ll grow out of it.
7. Santa Claus never displays inappropriate behavior.
8. Santa Claus always has good hygiene. He has no need for cologne, so he never wears it.
9. Santa Claus never uses drugs or smokes.
10. Santa Claus is punctual. Christmas Eve is Santa’s big night to check his list, get ready and pack his sleigh! The truth is Santa begins his deliveries promptly after midnight as Christmas Day begins on December 25. It’s a wonder and a miracle that most years Santa has made his rounds throughout the world by 5AM Christmas morning.
11. Santa Claus never, ever requests tips from moms and dads. (Cookies and milk are OK Christmas Eve, however. And birch leaves, crusty lichens and/or reindeer moss are preferred for Santa’s reindeer. Carrots are OK, but not preferred.)
12. Santa Claus maintains liability insurance. Making and delivering all those gifts in time for Christmas sometimes can be a dirty job.
‘Tis the season for Santa and his elves to be everywhere! And he appreciates all helpers.
Santa’s Mailbox, located on Main Street and Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville, is accepting mail headed for the North Pole through the end of Dec. 18. No postage is required. Just be sure to include a return address. Santa is hopeful all wish lists are in his hands by Dec. 18 and he’ll do his best to deliver on Christmas. Click here for plenty of ways to celebrate the season in downtown Naperville.
Find a listing of restaurants that will be featuring holiday specials, including breakfasts with Santa at dinenaperville.com.
Editor’s Note: Santa Claus Rules were compiled after observing kindhearted and jovial Santa’s helpers who take their responsibilities seriously here, there and everywhere, always in the spirit and wonder of the season with peace on Earth. —PN
