Side by side with every great man is a great woman. Through our extensive New York contact network we managed to get a rare interview with Mrs. Claus.
Ask a New Yorker: You look great. Mrs. Kristin Kringle, aka Mrs Claus, love the shoes. Where did you get them?
Mrs. Claus: In Renstal, which is a small town in Finland, resides my favorite cobbler. His name is Mr. Brody and he’s been making all my shoes since I was a child. They’re very comfortable and are great for walking.
Ask a New Yorker: Can humans see elves?
Mrs. Claus: Elves are good at sneaking around, very agile, so it’s usually difficult to detect them. Children are often able to see a branch move, or notice something looking through the window or peeping from behind curtains. Then they know that it’s their own personal elf tiptoeing around or stumbling around at times. There’s been an increase in elves drinking on the job recently. Santa has really come down hard on this. It’s very sad.
Ask a New Yorker: Sorry to hear that. Maybe it’s because there depressed being in the North Pole all year round, in the dark half the time, waiting for Christmas. Where do you stay when you’re in NYC?
Mrs. Claus: We love The Plaza. We’ve been staying there since it opened. We always get a suite on the 14th floor overlooking Central Park. Of course FAO Schwartz is across the street and Santa is always on the lookout for new trends and toys for his elves to make.
Ask a New Yorker: What kind of elves does Santa Claus have?
Mrs. Claus: He has reindeer-herding elves. They respect reindeer as wild animals that have learned to live in harmony with humans and elves. He has mapmaking elves and pathfinder elves, which are on a serious decline because of the evolution of the GPS. Santa really has embraced these new technologies. We have continuing education classes at North Pole University to keep abreast of all the new tech changes. We have gay elves who have a keen sense of the fashion world and are always up on the latest trends.
Ask a New Yorker: What are some of your hobbies?
Mrs. Claus: Taking saunas, especially old fashioned North Pole smoke saunas, is something both Santa and I enjoy. Taking naps is also something I love and is an extremely important pastime for Santa as well. I enjoy dancing. I’ve been taking tap lessons and Santa and I love the Tango! Santa and I also love a good play or musical. Tonight we are going to see Promises, Promises.
Ask a New Yorker: Do you and Santa have a second home or do you live in the North Pole all year round?
Mrs. Claus: North Pole is our permanent residence although we love Hawaii, especially the island of Maui. But all year round we drop by different places around the world. We only stay in places we feel content.
Ask a New Yorker: Mele Kalikimaka is Merry Christmas in Hawaiian. What type of books do you read?
Mrs. Claus: I always have two or three books on my night stand at one time. I never finish reading books. I like getting to the end then stop cold turkey and then make up my own endings. I know it sounds a little odd but it’s something I just do.
Ask a New Yorker: Has Santa Claus ever got stuck in a chimney?
Mrs. Claus: If that happened, delivery would get cut short. Santa Claus has a big book entitled Chimneys of the World. It is important to know how to get down them, and that is Santa’s specialty.
Ask a New Yorker: What do you give Santa for Christmas?
Mrs. Claus: He loves flying obviously but has always has had a fascination with helicopters. So I’ve gotten him 30 hrs. with helicopter lessons. I also sent a letter to Richard Branson, you know he has Virgin Space trips starting in a year. Santa would love to look down at earth from space.
Ask a New Yorker: If people are super rich do they still get presents from Santa? For instance what does Santa give Bill gates?
Mrs. Claus: Of course if you’ve been good Santa will make sure you have a present from the North Pole. Bill and his lovely wife have made a special request to Santa to give any gifts that we would normally place under their tree instead to someone less fortunate.
Ask a New Yorker: You have the most beautiful eyes.
Mrs. Claus: Thank you. People often have said that the color of them is sky blue. Recently I got lasik surgery and now only need my cheaters for reading.
Ask a New Yorker: What’s your favorite meal?
Mrs. Claus: Venison! Just kidding. I have to say, I do enjoy duck l’orange. Tonight Santa is taking me to The Four Seasons. I love sitting next to the pool.
Ask a New Yorker: Thank you so much for your time Mrs. Claus. Happy New Year.
