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2008 has been a difficult year. Economic downturns, billon dollar bailouts, corrupt politicians and a controversial war have dominated the headlines. Needless to say, many of us are a little uneasy this Christmas season.

But during a recent interview with an Altoona Mirror reporter, Santa wanted to ease everyone's fears. No matter the struggles or difficult times we might face, the magic of Christmas is still very real. Santa took time out of his busy schedule to have a heart-to-heart conversation with the Mirror reporter a week before Christmas.

Mirror: After all these years, do you still get enjoyment out of delivering presents? Doesn't your job get tedious and boring?

Santa: No. It's never boring. Just imagine the enjoyable and wonderful places I visit every year. The more places I go, the happier I am. Christmas is very important to me.

Mirror: How do you stay warm while you're driving your sleigh?

Santa: I put a lot of clothes on. My elves wired up heaters for me in my sleigh. I also have a hot chocolate machine in my sleigh. That warms me up, too.

Mirror: How do you stay awake all night? Do you take breaks?

Santa: In the cold air, it's not hard to stay awake. It sure does make me tired when I'm done, though. I don't take any breaks. The only breaks I get are when I take sips of hot chocolate while I'm going from house to house.

Mirror: How do you find children who are on vacation or not in their houses on Christmas?

Santa: I find everyone on Christmas. I have an address book where everyone will be on Christmas Eve. I stop at every house anyway so I always find them.

Mirror: Have you ever been spotted by a child? If so, what do you do?

Santa: I haven't had any children come out and see me. I've had some that have almost caught me, though.

Mirror: What do you tell children who don't believe in you?

Santa: You don't have to see Santa to believe in him. He's in your heart. There are many, many people who believe in Santa.

Mirror: How do you understand the different languages of the world?

Santa: I can understand every language. Kids just want presents and to have a nice Christmas. I speak in a language everyone can understand.

Mirror: When and how do you start preparing for next Christmas?

Santa: We start almost a week exactly after Christmas. We start brainstorming about what toys kids will want next year and we start making the toys.

Mirror: How many people are on your naughty list this year?

Santa: There's a couple who are on the naughty list this year, but they're coming around. I keep checking on them.

Mirror: Let me start to ask you some personal questions so everyone can get to know Santa a little better. What are your hobbies?

Santa: Making toys, making houses. We're renovating our house at the North Pole. It's going to have cathedral ceilings. Mrs. Claus has been wanting that for the last three years. I just like to build things and create things.

Mirror: What is your favorite treat kids leave for you? What treats do the reindeer enjoy?

Santa: Chocolate chip cookies and milk or Pepsi. My reindeer like carrots or apples. Rudolph especially likes carrots. I kind of like every treat kids give me.

Mirror: What do you give Mrs. Claus for Christmas and what does she give you?

Santa: Mrs. Claus gets diamonds. This year she might get a little less, with the economy the way it is. She just gives me a lot of tender-loving care, a lot of food. I don't know how Mrs. Claus does it. She enjoys Christmas immensely.

Mirror: On a more serious note, Santa, many of us have been affected by the poor economy this year. So we're hoping Santa will help us out. How has the economy affected your gift-giving abilities this year? Should we expect less expensive presents?

Santa: I can still do it, but I might not be able to give as much this year. It gets rough for Santa, too. There will still be goodies for the kiddos.

Mirror: Did the North Pole experience the real estate collapse like we did here in the states?

Santa: No. The North Pole is different. The elves all live with me. We got kind of a Santa motel and they stay there and I provide everything for them. So, they don't have to worry about buying or selling their own homes. Mrs. Claus makes their food and washes their clothes and keeps their rooms tidy while we work in the shop.

Mirror: In this time of economic uncertainty, how can Santa provide hope?

Santa: I think the biggest thing is kids believe in Christmas and the things Santa does. Everyone should be appreciative of what they get for Christmas and what you have. Great things come in small packages. Be thankful for what you have and not what you get. Be very grateful for everything you have: a Mom and Dad who care about you, a home, a good education.

Mirror: Despite the hardships of the economy and the different challenges we face, Santa has always been there for the children. My last question to you would be what are your most memorable or challenging Christmas moments?

Santa: I've had some children ask me to bring their parents back. Sometimes their parents are divorced. Sometimes they have a parent in the war. Sometimes a parent has sadly passed away. I have to just tell them to look in the sky on Christmas Eve. The brightest stars in the sky are their parents looking down on them. I can't bring back their loved ones, but I can help children understand that they will forever be in their hearts.