There are plenty of imitators, but Forward tracked down the original Santa Claus shopping for gifts in Bab Touma. He generously obliged to give Forward Magazine this one-off interview.

Good evening Mr Claus, and thank you for taking the time to speak to Forward Magazine.
Please, call me Nicholas. I'm happy to oblige.


Thanks Nicholas. So tell me, have Syria's children been naughty or nice this year?
On the whole, Syria's children have been well behaved. They have been neighborly and generous, especially towards the disabled and less fortunate with guidance of the First Lady. We usually find that good intentions are met with just rewards - so I think we can safely say Syria's stockings will be full this year. There are, of course, always a few bad eggs, but they have been adequately disciplined and learned their lesson.


Something that has always bothered me is how you get from the North Pole around the world so fast in one evening. Can you tell me about your travel itinerary?
I'm glad you brought that up. I don't actually live in the North Pole. It's true that I spent a few hundred years in retirement there, at a little holiday house I built when the celebrity all just got too much, but these days I have returned to my original home at my own private island near Demre, in ancient Antioch. I'm technically Syrian.


Is that so?
Yes, I was born there, in a place we once called Myra, where I became a bishop. And these days I prefer to stay there. It's much more central, and at this time of the year, far more comfortable in the winter months. I've always loved the sea, it's very private there. So, from what we now call Turkey, I travel in a loop through the Caucasus, Russia, Eastern and Central Europe and Mediterranean Europe, then up to the UK and Scandinavia where I take the opportunity to visit some friends, over the North Atlantic, down through Canada to the United States and South America, then across Southern Africa, over the Indian Ocean to Australia, then it's just a zig-zag through the Pacific, South East Asia, then Asia Minor, cutting back along through the 'Stans, Iraq, Syria and home again. I leave the best until last.


Tell me more about the real Nicholas, how do you like to kick back?
As I told you, Mrs Claus and I relocated semi-permanently this year, back to Antioch, and we're having a fine time doing up the house and developing quite a formidable vegetable garden. Mrs Claus is an animal lover, and we've acquired a couple of horses, which are getting along fine with the reindeer.

We've actually gone on a bit of health-kick this year as I've been diagnosed with high cholesterol… And need to watch my weight. It's true that I've developed a bit of a spare tyre over the years, so we're both making an effort to fit in a bit of exercise. Mrs Claus and I decided something had to be done after an unfortunate chimney incident in Norway a few years back. I got stuck halfway down and the fire brigade needed to be called in.

I've always been partial to shawerma but have had to replace it with tabloueh and fatoush.


You've always been a heavy pipe smoker, and with the smoking bans coming in all around the place, including Syria, that must be tough.
It's true I enjoy the odd pipe, but I have, with discipline, cut down. I do like to smoke the occasional nargileh though, I must admit.


Nicholas, this is a tough time for a lot of people in the region, what advice can you give our leaders and young people at this time?
I've seen a lot in my time, and while it's true that youngsters today live in a challenging environment, I believe it's important to remember that others have suffered in the past, all over the world, through conflict and disunity... And unfortunately they will continue to suffer in the future.

That doesn't mean we stop striving for peace and stability. Peace is attainable - under the right conditions - of course.

I live by the philosophy that you do no harm. Sometimes we get that wrong, even I have struggled at times in my life to find the right path. We need to care for one another and keep peace as our ultimate, real goal.

Leaders need to strive for the right conditions for reconciliation, even when it seems out of reach. We need to look to the people and our children for guidance on what is the right path. I say, don't give up and don't give in to temptation. This goes for all people, not just Christians.

Syria is a key actor in the Middle East and we must strive for peace and security in the region, through brotherly relations.


Thank you Nicholas. Now on to something lighter. We have been flooded with letters from children putting in some special requests. What have you found to be the most popular on the gift list for Syrian children?
I spend most of the year ordering gift lists, and I have to say, in general, Syrian children are the least greedy of the lot. Let me see... (Scratching beard.) Sweets and dolls, more and more electronic toys top the list... I am a little alarmed at the number of requests for toy guns. Boys will be boys, as they say.

I might add, though, that as much as we tend to think of Christmas as all about the gifts, a trend that has caught on, my real purpose for being here is to remind people of a more important gift - the gift of love.

Spend time with your family, love one another, most importantly, practice charity. Look out for those less fortunate. Especially those who have lost a parent, remember them.


And on to another subject, how are the elves?
I'm glad you brought that up as well. I'd like to clear my name on that matter. I don't support or subject anyone to unpaid labor. I have a team of trusted helpers around the world - all union members I might add - who work hard to make sure the right gifts are at each port upon arrival at each continent. We have a rock solid contract and confidentiality agreement meeting all the latest privacy and intellectual property standards to make sure my real identity and location is never revealed.

By employing people all over the world, I like to think I am doing my bit for local economies, too, by making use of local produce and crafts.

That said, Mrs Claus and I have adopted a number of orphans over the years, but they are far too busy studying during the year. We have three that passed the TOEFL exam this year, others have gone on to secure excellent jobs.


Oh, well, what about the reindeer?
Reindeer? Another lie. I have two beautiful Arab mares that I acquired in Syria, named Angelina and Jolly. They have eight children between them. We have reindeer on the farm up north, but we've spoiled them rotten. Rudolph is happy and content, but he's not up to much these days.


Terribly rude to ask, but we all want to know; how old are you, really?
I'm 1,712 years older than you, Lauren.


How do you know how old I am?
Remember, I know when you've been sleeping... So you better watch out.


Thank you, Nicholas, and please pass on our regards to Mrs Claus, who I know must miss you at this time of the year.
Thank you, I will do. Mrs Claus denies it, but she actually can't wait to get me out of the house

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