Kris Kringle dishes on kids’ wants, questions during Christmas season

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

Santa Claus is a busy man this time of year.

However, Kris Kringle himself made some time to stop by the Cassville Democrat office on Friday to divulge all about his experiences in Barry County this Christmas season, and some in past ones.

Claus said this year, he visited the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center for its Christmas Open House, attended the Cassville Community Christmas at the Family Life Center (joined by the first time by his better half, Mrs. Claus), visited numerous preschools in the area and, of course, greeted children and community members from his sleigh during the Cassville Christmas Parade.

During those events, Claus said he’s learned a lot about what kinds of things local youth want for the big holiday.

“I’ve talked to close to 500 kids total in Barry County this year,” he said. “A lot of kids want tablets. But, I also get lots of requests for Barbies, video games of all kinds, bike and puppies — lots of puppies. I always tell those kids, ‘You bet you can have a puppy,’ but their moms are usually behind them waving no at me.”

Along with gift requests, Claus said children typically have lots of questions.

“Kids always ask me if they are on the naughty list,” he said. “They are very worried about that. They also ask where my reindeer are, but I usually don’t have them because there has to be snow for me to bring them along. They also ask where Mrs. Claus is, and at the parade, they’ll ask if one of the presents in my sleigh is theirs — I always say, yes, the biggest one.”

While so many kids brave the big guy’s lap, Claus said there are always some that need a little extra support.

“A lot of kids are afraid of ole Santa, but I had Mrs. Claus with me for the first time at the Cassville Community Christmas, and none of them were afraid of her,” he said. “If they were scared of me, they would jump on her lap and not be scared at all. Those tears are gone, and it was really great to see how comfortable they were with her.

“If a kid is scared but their parents want the picture regardless, we do it. But, a lot of parents will kneel down beside their kids and be in the picture. I never push because I don’t want to scare kids and make them afraid.”

For the ones that are unbothered by Jolly Old Saint Nick, it’s the look in their eyes that stays with him.

“To see the looks on kids’ faces — they just light up,” he said. “Their little eyes are focused on you, and nothing else matters. I love that look in their eyes.”

Another source of joy is the Cassville Christmas Parade, where Santa sees all the children he’s put on his lists, as well as their parents or grandparents.

“The location has changed a lot over the years, from the American Legion to Able 2 to the high school and now down below the football stadium,” Claus said. “It just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and we’re running out of room to stage for it. The number of spectators also has been crazier and crazier each year, so much so that it’s so hard to see everyone. I try to lock eyes with each child going down Main Street, but it’s hard because there are so many now.

“I like to wave and I’ll call out some kids’ names, but it’s hard to remember them all. I also know a lot of the parents or grandparents from when they were kids, so I like to tell them if they are on the nice or naughty list. That’s fun because their kids or grandkids always turn to them and ask, ‘You know Santa?'”

A fun part of the parade is getting to show off the sleigh, donated to Claus by the late John Starchman.

“I have rebuilt that sleigh about four times now,” he said. “But, now I keep it inside and out of the elements so it doesn’t fall apart any more. It’s a great sleigh.”

In years past, Claus has been caught in the county a few times. One memorable such occasion was many years ago in Shell Knob, when he was visiting a home with two teenage children whose father had served in the military, stationed in Germany.

“The daughter was about 16 and son about 14, and they had never seen Santa in person before,” Claus said. “I went into their basement where their tree was and started unloading gifts, and my jingle bells must have been making too much noise because the dad told the kids to go see what as going on in the basement. Before I could get out, the daughter saw me and screamed, ‘Santa Claus,’ and ran down the stairs. Then, the whole family came in. I almost couldn’t get away because they wanted so many pictures and had so many questions.”

As Father Christmas prepares for his magical ride around the world this week, he offered a small piece of advice to those awaiting his arrival.

“Enjoy your kids while they are young,” he said. “If they don’t want to sit on my lap, don’t make them. They will grow out of it and want to later.”

For the last approximately 30 years, Claus has been assisted in his Barry County adventures by Cassville resident Tommy Luney.