This Year Christmas Was a Little Bit Different...

The big job has been done and Mrs Claus and I are taking some time to relax. You know it’s a tough job but someone has to keep those boys and girls happy. So we were reflecting on just how wonderful Christmas has been this year and then we started making plans (and toys) for 2025.

Mrs Claus and I did things a bit differently this year. Hopefully you won’t have noticed anything out of the ordinary, but Mrs Claus came with me on my rounds. She’s usually too busy looking after exhausted elves and tidying up after us all. Although the extra weight slowed us down a bit, I can’t complain because Mrs Claus supplied me with warm drinks on the sleigh – so what with all the wine and mince pies at every stop we had a fine old time!

We also did something else which was very different – we managed to see a pantomime. Mrs Claus organised it all. She contacted Andy at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven (their pantos are known across the land for being wonderful) to ask if we would be able to secure the fully laden sleigh on the roof (I think the roof needs a bit of attention if I’m honest) and leave it there while we nipped in to the theatre to watch the matinee on Christmas Eve, before our deliveries started in Wales.

Rachel in Box Office very helpfully found us two tickets and promised not to tell anyone who we were – we couldn’t risk our cover being blown! And Chelsey showed us to the costume department where she helped us pick out ordinary clothes so we wouldn’t be recognised. Simon was very keen to stay with our reindeers on the roof. I think they hassled him a bit but he fed them biscuits (from the marketing team office) and fortunately managed to keep them quiet.

Well, how we enjoyed the show! What a wonderful experience – the laughs, the songs, the amazing cast, the scenery, the music and everyone singing and taking part. Milford you are so lucky to have such talent in your midst! I know you know this because Chelsey mentioned how your community has pulled out all the stops to support the fundraising campaign ‘One More Time’ and had shown up to support the theatre. I think she would like to thank everyone but I can do that for her. Jordan from marketing asked if I could leave a brochure in every home I visited but the sleigh was overladen as it was. There are plenty in Box Office though!

When we got back to the roof Colin was waiting for us with a mulled wine and a couple  of Alicia’s truly memorable mince pies. We sat on the sleigh looking up at the stars and out over the water, thinking about the job ahead and we were inspired! We’d had so much fun; we’d supported a lovely theatre and we’d shared an experience with the people of Milford. A marvellous night. I think Mrs Claus is looking to repeat the experience next year – Rapunzel – and if she gets the tickets soon the prices are the same as this year’s! Perfect. Can’t wait.

We’ve been doing Christmas the same way for many, many years. This year was new and exciting and different – we will never forget how much we enjoyed Jack and the Beanstalk, in the little theatre on the edge of the cliff where Wales begins. Thank you everyone who made our visit so wonderful and who knows, when you come next year we may be right behind you!

Love from Santa xxx