Santa Claus recently took a break from his busy schedule for an in-depth interview with The News-Examiner. Here are his answers to our questions.

News-Examiner: Do your elves have to go to school?

Santa: Yes, and with all the changes with new electronic toys some of them are always going back for more schooling to keep up with the times, but they only go to summer school for obvious reasons.

NE: Did your parents make you follow the rules of the naughty nice list? If so, were you ever on the naughty list?

Santa: I think my parents just assumed I’d be nice so I was always on the nice list and never made the naughty list, but kids should know that you have to be very naughty to make that list.

NE: How did you meet Mrs. Claus?

Santa: I met Mrs. Claus at her reindeer farm near the North Pole. I was smitten when she introduced herself as Mary Christmas.

NE: What’s your favorite food that Mrs. Claus makes?

Santa: Mrs. Claus is a very good cook! I especially like her baking skills. Perhaps that is why I’m so fond of cookies.

NE: What do you do when you don’t like the goodies left out for you on Christmas Eve?

Santa: No one has ever left me a snack on Christmas Eve that I didn’t like, perhaps that has something to do with my girth.

NE: What is it like at the North Pole? Do you have four seasons or always snow?

Santa: We basically have two seasons at the North Pole. The long, cold, dark winter and the short, cool, sunny summer.

NE: What are you doing now to prep for Christmas?

Santa: Right now I am checking my list and checking it twice to try and make sure we don’t miss anything. Also have lots of visiting with children to make sure we have their orders right and making sure the reindeer are fit and ready to go. Oh my, the list just goes on and on... but I’ll be ready to go on Christmas eve. Be sure to stay on the nice list and be kind. Merry Christmas!