If anyone knows how stressful the holiday season can be, it’s Santa Claus. Every year he manages a global delivery operation, supervises thousands of elves, handles supply-chain issues, and somehow still manages to stay cheerful. Curious about his secret, I sat down with Santa to ask how he handles holiday stress.
KEN: Tell me, Santa, how do you stay so jolly during the holiday season?
SANTA: I focus on what I’m grateful for. Just last week my doctor told me I’m overweight which really bummed me out. He put me on a diet, prescribed one of those fancy new weight-loss medications, and suggested I hide a pillow under my suit when I get skinny. Instead of getting upset, I thanked him for caring about my health. Gratitude changes everything.
KEN: So you’re making a conscious effort to focus on gratitude?
SANTA: Absolutely. Every day I look for things I usually take for granted. Mrs. Claus’s cookies, Rudolph’s nose, and having a job I love. Every evening I write down three things I’m grateful for and share them with Mrs. Claus. It keeps me focused on what’s right instead of what’s wrong.
KEN: Do you make a conscious effort to reduce stress?
SANTA: Of course. I take walks in the snow, play fetch with the reindeer, and listen to relaxation exercises. Stress management isn’t something you do when you’re overwhelmed. It’s something you practice every day to prevent you from getting overwhelmed.
KEN: Many people tell me they feel exhausted because they try to do everything.
SANTA: That’s a mistake. I don’t do everything. Imagine if I tried to build every toy, wrap every gift, feed every reindeer, and answer every letter. I’d be a nervous wreck. So I ask for help. The elves help. Mrs. Claus helps. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
KEN: That’s hard for some people.
SANTA: Then let me give your readers permission: You don’t have to host every gathering, attend every party, bake every cookie, or send every holiday card. Sometimes the most festive word in the English language is “No.”
KEN: I’ve noticed a lot of people worry about having everything just right.
SANTA: Perfectionism is one of the biggest joy thieves I know. Is the house clean enough? Did I buy the right gift? What if dinner isn’t perfect? What if the decorations don’t look like the photos online? Let me tell you something. No child has ever sat on my lap and said, “Santa, my Christmas tree isn’t symmetrical.”
KEN: They don’t care about that.
SANTA: The things that go wrong often become the stories we laugh about for years. A burned pie, a crooked tree, a gift wrapped backwards. Those become family legends.
KEN: That’s true. Decades ago, my grandmother was loading her car to come to our house for Thanksgiving dinner. She drove off forgetting she put her cooked turkey on the roof of her car. We had no turkey for Thanksgiving! We laughed about this story for years but there was a lot of yelling that night.
SANTA: Holiday gatherings can bring out the best and the worst of people. Like an uncle who shares his political opinions, a drank aunt, a critical cousin who is very judgy, a grandpa who is not afraid to let it rip. My advice? Ignore the small things including rude comments and smells. Don’t try to win arguments. Peace is more important than being right. If a conversation starts about politics or religion, gently change the subject.
KEN: Any advice for people who feel lonely during the holidays?
SANTA: Remember that the holidays aren’t about being surrounded by people. They’re about connection. Reach out to someone. Call a friend. Volunteer. Visit a neighbor. Help someone in need. The fastest way to feel better is often to make someone else feel better.
KEN: What do you do when you need a break?
SANTA: I take one. Imagine that! I walk through the Christmas tree forest. Mrs. Claus visits the spa. The reindeer play games. The elves go sledding. Rest isn’t a reward for finishing everything. It’s fuel that helps you keep going.
KEN: Any last words before you head back to the North Pole?
SANTA: Yes. You create much of your own holiday experience. If you’re waiting for everything to be perfect before you allow yourself to enjoy the season, you’ll miss it. Put on some music. Decorate. Watch a favorite holiday movie. Volunteer. Spend time with people you care about. Focus less on creating a perfect holiday and more on creating meaningful moments. And remember, I’ve visited millions of homes over the years. The happiest families aren’t the ones with the biggest trees, the fanciest decorations, or the most expensive gifts. They’re the ones laughing together in the living room.
KEN: Thank you, Santa. I hope you have a Merry Christmas.
SANTA: Ho, ho, ho! And don’t forget, if all else fails, cookies help.