Santa’s Journal

Christmas Eve Timeline November 17, 2005

Here’s a timeline of what happens on Christmas Eve:

0500: The reindeer are given their first full meal. They know what the event is, and they know they’ll need a lot of energy for the world-wide trip, so they don’t hesitate to eat a lot.

0600: I wake up to a steaming mug of hot chocolate, prepared by Mrs. Claus.

0615: I read the newspaper as I eat my big breakfast – milk, eggs, bacon, cereal, omelettes, benedicts and pancakes with fresh maple syrup – just like the reindeer, I also need to stock up on my energy.

0700: The elves start loading all the presents into my bag. This will take 12 hours to do.

0900: The reindeer are groomed – they can stink sometimes, but I want them smelling extra clean for this special night.

1000: Chris (spelled with a C), my top elf, and I review the road map for the night. Over the next three hours, we will plot out the route I will take making sure I won’t miss anyone!

1300: I eat lunch - Two ham and swiss sandwiches, meat loaf, a turkey roll and a candy cane for dessert.

1400: I give the reindeer their second high-energy meal and give the pre-departure pep talk. I don’t want any trouble. We’re in this for the children which means teamwork is essential and I expect everyone to perform just as well as last year.

1500-1900: I take a nap – this will be a long night, so I want to make sure I have enough energy to last me through the end of the trip

1915: Final inspection of the sleigh. We have to make sure the steel skis are properly aligned and straightened. We also have to make sure that my hot chocolate dispenser is in full working order.

1940: The Toy Bag is loaded into the sleigh. Using an airlift craft operated by 10 elves, the craft drops a bungee cord and it’s attached to the top of the bag. The airlift rises in altitude until the bag rises high enough that it can be dropped into the sleigh.

2000: The reindeer come out of their holdings and are attached to the sleigh. The Bells are then strapped on to help NORAD track me with their sonar devices.

2015: Pre Lift-off celebration: In Christmas Square, by the 100 ft Christmas Tree. The Fanfare trumpets blaze from the Christmas Castle Balcony. Music is played, the elves dance in the square and wind down from the hard work they’ve done over the past weeks and months.

2359: The Christmas Ball is dropped (very much like the one in Times Square) and the Christmas fireworks are fired.

Midnight: The reindeer and I take off to deliver your presents!

Love,