The Cookie Claus
We met at Starbucks, sitting at a corner table outside, a perfect place to keep an eye on eight tiny reindeer delicately munching on the here-and-there patches of grass that survived the gardener’s morning mow.
“You could say I’m more of a wanderer,” Santa Claus says thoughtfully. “I think that’s why I’m so good at my job. I inherently know how to find every single child who has either written me a wish list or has left me cookies and milk Christmas Eve. I just know how to find my fans!” He chuckles.
The third of our trio, Crystal Claus — also known as Mrs. Claus, or Santa’s Better Half — then chuckles herself. “Yes, you may be a wanderer, but finding things is not quite your cup of cocoa.” “Should we talk about the fact that you have lost every single workshop key I’ve ever made you? Or that every Christmas Eve you always forget to wear your extra warm long johns and then from Christmas Day until about President’s Day, we’re stuck at home because you’re still recovering from your midnight ride?”
The two have been married for somewhere around three or four centuries and without a doubt, they are very much two peas in a pod. While Santa may lose and forget just about everything that doesn’t have to do with the actual production and managing of toys and caring for the reindeer, Mrs. Claus, according to Santa, has no idea how to bake cookies. Blasphemy, you say! I was quite shocked myself, but in her defense she’s a very busy woman.
“Do you know how many elves we employ?” she asks. “About 124,569,421! That’s a whole lotta elves, and we love each and every one of them. They’re our family. But, feeding them is a full-time job. I’m focused on protein and veggies to keep them strong and focused on their jobs. She shrugs and asks, “Who has time to bake cookies?”
Mrs. Claus does admit that cookies are not her forte, but a century or so ago, she did create a special Elf Task Force that now takes care of all the baking and sweet treats.
“Moving on!” She quickly changes the subject.
“Clayton is about my favorite place to visit,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. “The community is so giving, so full of genuine spirit, heartwarming innocence and a true sense of family. “I feel like Clayton is my home away from home.”
The city first became a stop on Santa’s pre-Christmas tour many years ago when he would meet with children in the Eucalyptus Grove — which is now The Grove park. In those days, only the elves came along to help hand out candy canes. When his wife joined him in 2001, the pair greeted children from the porch of the Frontier Beauty Salon.
Mrs. Claus quickly upstaged her more famous husband, and the whole shebang was moved to the library. Tea and sweets were served and the small gathering eventually evolved into a major community event, with more than 500 children clamoring for a few minutes with each of the famous twosome. By 2012, the Dessert Party had outgrown the library meeting room and moved to Endeavor Hall.
Children, parents and grandparents have made their visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus a holiday tradition. “Christmas is officially here once we see the invitation to Mrs. Claus’ Dessert Party,” says Clayton resident Kristen Jensen. “How amazingly special that the entire community is on the nice list!”
Dessert with Mrs. Claus, sponsored by the Clayton Business and Community Association, is Sat, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Endeavor Hall at Oak and Center Streets in Clayton. Bring your camera.