Happy Christmas 2012

Christmas Display @ "TEMPTED Size 16-28"
Raheny Shopping Centre, 2007
Just to shift a little this year from Santa and Rudolf and the Sleigh to the Gaffer Elf in Santa's workshop. It is clear that in this era of austerity, high-wage-cost elves have had to be let go and some lower cost locals, themselves in danger of extinction, have been drafted in. And worse, in view of the increase in austerity crime, elaborate alarm and protection systems have had to be installed at the North Pole atelier.

Nevertheless, Santa is expected to start out on his usual trip on Christmas Eve, though some children may have to wait till the New Year before he reaches them as the Reindeer herd has had to be downsized as an economy measure.

As Rudolf himself is getting on, and not up to pulling the loads of nether years, Santa may have to leave gift tokens rather than the actual requested items in a significant percentage of cases. In this, he has promised to have due regard to equitable burden-sharing and rewards based on performance during the year.

Be Good in 2013

Dear Santa

This is Santa in Supervalu Raheny. He not only looks benign, he is looking after his junior fans in the run up to Christmas.

He has installed his own postbox in the store, and children who write to him will get a reply all the way from his home at The Grotto, Santa's Secret Village, The North Pole.

Replies will be posted for collection on the special North Pole noticeboard in the store.

As we all know, all that sherry and Christmas pudding which is normally left out for Santa on Christmas eve has had him working out at the North Pole Gym right through the year to get into shape for the following year's journey. So, this year, Santa is simply asking for some carrots for Rudolf to keep him up to speed on his long journey right around the world.

The instore Santa Post has been a long tradition in this country. I got a letter from Santa myself as far back as 1950.

I noticed recently (on Twitter) that the Royal Mail in the UK are running such a service this year. However, not only do you have to put a stamp on the letter to Santa, which is reasonable enough, you have to enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope as well. Double revenue for the Royal Mail as I pointed out to them. But, of course, they would not deal with that matter beyond tweeting me that Santa needed a return address. Sly and evasive. You can follow the spat here.

It was then pointed out to me that An Post are running a similar service. I really wondered if they would have the nerve to try and rake in revenue from a second stamp.

Well rest assured, they are not as greedy or as unfeeling as the Royal Mail. A stamp is required on the outgoing letter only. Santa's reply is delivered for free. Well done.

Just noticed my recent tweeting of this post has appeared on the homepage of An Post (below). The site shows the latest tweet, either tweeted or retweeted, by An Post, so when they next tweet I'll be gone. Meanwhile I should thank them for an extra three hits on this post.