We were excited to learn that Santa Claus had granted The Surveyor an interview this fall. While his entourage of reindeer waited on the roof of our offices, Santa visited us. After a lot of ho, ho, ho-ing and Merry Christmas, we got down to business.

Who is your favorite reindeer and why?

I want to get places on Christmas Eve, so I don’t think I’m going to say. Ho, ho, ho! They are all very special to me in their own special way. We have Rudolph, you know Rudolph, and Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet, Cupid and Blitzen. They pull my sleigh for many miles each year and they all do a wonderful job. Ho, ho, ho! So really, my favorite is the whole team!

We’ve heard that you wait until children are asleep to deliver any gifts. Can you confirm this?

I can confirm. but there are special circumstances. I have found out that as I am putting presents under the tree sometimes there are spying eyes in the background. Ho, ho, ho!

But you know what? That is okay too because children go right back to sleep and wake up and have a wonderful Christmas.

What would you say to children or adults who question if you are real?

Well, one of the things I like to say is, “Are you real?” Then, if you are real, then I have to be real.

Do you have any favorite movies about yourself?

Well, that’s kinda vain isn’t it? Ho, ho, ho! There have been so many. The one I like a lot is “The Santa Clause.” People would ask, “What do you think of Tim being you?” And I’d say, “Well Tim’s a funny guy and I’m a funny guy so yeah, okay that’s good!”

I really like the classics like “White Christmas” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Ho, ho, ho!

If someone thinks there might be a chance that they are on the Naughty List, is there any way or anything they can do to get on the Nice List?

They all have time to get back on the Nice List. In general, most people are on the Nice List, after all, coal is very expensive right now. Ho, ho, ho!

Here in Colorado, for decades NORAD has been tracking you. How do you feel about it?

Well, there’s not much I can do about it, you know? Ho, ho, ho! But really, I love it because it gives children a specific time to go to sleep. They follow me and then realize I’m almost to Berthoud and they know it’s time to go to bed! Ho, ho, ho!

What’s your favorite kind of cookie?

All of them! Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas everyone!