Now that all the children have received their toys — and a few shirts and socks, too — Santa Claus has returned to the North Pole to rest before preparations begin for next Christmas.

In an interview with the Mirror, Santa reflected on his late-night trip around the world to deliver holiday cheer. Even though he’s old and admits to feeling aches and pains, it’s the smiles on children’s faces Christmas morning that keep him going every year, Santa said.

“Before going out, I take a good rest,” Santa said of his trip, noting he enjoyed coffee from his favorite Blair County shop as he guided his sleigh through the night.

Santa said he’s able to visit children in every country in one night because of time zone differences and “Christmas magic.”

“That’s actually why we have the time change. It’s for me to go see everyone in Europe and Asia first and then I work my way to the United States,” Santa said.

Santa hits the remote Kiribati Island — also known as Christmas Island — first on his westward trek before making his way to New Zealand, Australia and so forth.

Throughout the world, children have asked Santa for dinosaurs, art supplies, Squishmallows, video game consoles, sporting equipment and remote-controlled “fart machines.”

“I’ve had about five kids ask me for one this year. I don’t even know what a fart machine is,” Santa said. “It’s not even a whoopie cushion.”

Santa said he refuses to bring money as a gift to children since it can’t be made at the North Pole.

“I also do not like to promise young children cellphones,” Santa said.

According to Santa, he makes sure children are sleeping before he enters homes by scooting down chimneys. For apartments and homes that don’t have chimneys, Santa has an all-purpose key he carries to secure his entry, he said.

“I make sure that they’re all asleep and then I get to work,” Santa said. “There’s really no stops.”

Although he’s had dogs bark at him and chase him down, Santa said he’s never been bitten by a pet while working on Christmas.

In an emergency situation, Santa said he can make himself disappear at a moment’s notice by sticking his finger beside his nose and giving a nod. This magic has prevented him from being seen by any children waiting in a corner to catch him delivering Christmas goodies, he said.

Santa said he and Mrs. Claus plan to celebrate a successful year together by hosting a big Christmas party with their elves at the North Pole. While the elves play a backyard football game, Santa and Mrs. Claus will share a turkey dinner together.

“It’s very relaxing,” Santa said, adding he’s already receiving orders for next Christmas.

While the children have been “extraordinarily sweet,” Santa said he has some concerns about the growing number of adults on the naughty list each year.

In 2025, Santa said he hopes adults will spread more peace, love, kindness and goodwill for each other.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.