LIZ EMMETT-MATTOX
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Few faces are more familiar than this one. With his rosy cheeks, white beard and twinkly eyes, Santa hardly needs any introduction. While his elves have been very busy up at the North Pole getting ready for Christmas, Santa himself has made a couple of appearances in Niwot lately. On Enchanted Evening, he could be found in Niwot Interiors listening as one child after another told him their Christmas wishes. Just a few days later, he was the highlight for many in the annual Holiday Parade.

One of Santa’s favorite things about visiting Niwot is seeing so many of the same children year after year. He remembers one little girl who came to see him at Enchanted Evening two years running. The third year, she plopped herself beside him and said, “Here I am again.” To which he replied, “And here I am again!”

Santa gets lots of letters from boys and girls with their Christmas wishlists, and while he can’t possibly remember them all, at this year’s Enchanted Evening he saw a little boy whose list he had recently received. Santa watched as the boy’s eyes grew wider and wider as Santa recalled the items on his list. Said Santa with a satisfied air, “He’s going to be a believer for a long time now.”

Photo by Mrs. S. Claus
Levi Triou with Santa at Enchanted Evening

Although toy fads come and go, Santa said there are a few things like Legos and Barbies that remain popular through the years. And of course there are always plenty of children who want Santa to bring them a pony for Christmas. It is a delicate situation, but Santa gently lets the child know that he can’t bring them a pet without their parents’ permission.

Sometimes children will sit down and give him a list “as long as your arm.” When that happens, he makes sure to ask the child, “If you couldn’t have all these things, what would be the most important thing?” Because even Santa has his limits.

When asked if the children he met in Niwot were naughty or nice, Santa said, “Far and away nice.” During his visit to Niwot Interiors this year, Santa found an especially good helper in Levi Triou. Throughout the evening, Triou kept Santa from getting thirsty by bringing him fresh water bottles when he needed them and made sure that Santa never ran out of candy canes for all his visitors.

As for those who think they are too old to believe, Santa has this to say, “They have to realize that the true spirit of Christmas is all about giving. When they think they’re too old, it’s because it’s become all about receiving. When they find the spirit of giving, they find the spirit of Santa Claus again.”

Children can send wishlists by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Adults can learn more about Niwot’s own Santa at www.behindthewhitebeard.com.