Santa Claus is in town!

It is Christmas Eve, which means Santa Claus and his elves are very busy putting the final bows and ribbons on presents for millions of little boys and girls around the world.
Rudolph and his eight reindeer friends are waiting patiently at the sleigh to fly Santa on his deliveries.
But what is Santa doing?
The Courier decided to catch up on Mr Claus’s last minute preparations and we found him in Ballito Gardens, combing out his beard.
Some Dolphin Coast children have had the special opportunity of sitting on Santa’s knee, as one of his regular hangouts in December is the Ballito Lifestyle Centre.
“The suit is hot at this time of year but I love children, so it is a sacrifice I am most happy to make,” said Santa.
His booming laugh and kind blue eyes are just as you would expect them to be.
“The best part about being Santa is I get to listen to interesting stories from imaginative boys and girls every year. Some of them are unbelievable, with wishes for Ferraris and strange pets.”
Santa loves to hear everyone’s Christmas wishes but he has just one rule if you sit on his lap.
“I do not like to hear ‘I want’. You must remember your manners, so if you talk to Santa say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. I like children who respect their parents and love all their friends.”
Mrs Claus looks after Santa throughout the year, feeding him wine and nuts when he is not out on the golf course or painting.
On the golf course Santa disguises himself in ordinary clothes and changes his name (‘Terry Buchanan’ is one of his favourite pseudonyms). But as hard as he tries those dimples and twinkling eyes are a dead give-away. And there’s his little round belly, that shakes when he laughs, like a bowlful of jelly.
Mrs Claus said she would only let him deliver presents to children who behaved for the whole year.
“It is no good only behaving in December! If you are good and mind your manners from January, Santa will be very happy.”
Santa’s pretty granddaughters Rachael (9) and Madison (8) say it is wonderful to have him as their grandpa.
“It is hard keeping the secret but he lets us play with the reindeer in the garage. When he is not being Santa he helps grandma in the house.”
Santa has just one wish for Christmas: “I wish that everyone would be sincere and tolerant and practise peace and goodwill to all men. Merry Christmas, everyone!”