Santa lets children in on little ‘secret’

Press, 24 December 1985, Page 5

Santa lets children in on little ‘secret’

By

TESSA WARD

The word is out that Father Christmas particularly likes children who are helpful to their parents and he will keep this in mind when he arrives on Christmas Eve. Thousands of children were let in on this little secret yesterday when they visited Father Christmas, or Santa Claus as he is sometimes known, in Christchurch. “I particularly think kindly of children who help their parents around the house and garden,” Santa said. “This includes washing the dishes, sweeping the floor, pulling out weeds and of course clearing up all and not just some of the wrapping paper from the Christmas presents.” One little girl, who happened to be sitting ,on "

Santa’s knee while he was whispering this to “The Press,” said that these were exactly the things she did to help her parents. ■ ‘1 do all that and when I feel like it I even make my bed,” she said. Father Christmas says that where possible he has promised the children a certain gift in their stocking to find bn Christmas morning. “The children haven’t really been very demanding, this year and accept that I can only do my. best I’ve asked them to use their imaginations when it comes to making me feel as welcome as possible in their homes. "They already know that my reindeer are trained not to stop at any house that still has the bedroom lights on. If they wake up during the night and hear a sound • they are not to worry be-

cause it’s just the reindeer hooves on the roof.

“Or 'it might be .me squeezing down the chimney because I’m afraid I’ve already had a bit too much to eat before’Christmas.”

To get back to sleep the children should close their eyes gently, snuggle up under the sheets and imagine that they are taking off with Santa for a long ride to the night stars bn his sleigh.

“Now the best time for the children towake up and open their stockings is not too early and not too late — around . about when, they think their parents will be stirring from 'their sleep. “I want each child to make sure that he or she enjoys a happy holiday which includes helping the parents to drive safely on the roads and . swimming only where it is safe.”