By the time this paper reaches your doorstep, it will be Christmas Eve and the 'man of the hour', Santa Claus, will be busy delivering toys to children all over the world. Luckily for the children of Bermuda, they had the chance to write to Old St. Nick and have their Christmas wish lists read aloud on television and some even got to speak with him in person at the Phoenix Toy Annex throughout the month of December. Those children who didn't get the chance shouldn't worry because Santa spoke exclusively to Lindsay Kelly of the Mid-Ocean News to tell us all about this year's most popular toys, what he loves best about Bermuda and why children must get to sleep early this year.

Q. What kind of snacks do you like to be left out on Christmas Eve?

A. Anything and everything is greatly appreciated, however, I'm rather partial to milk and cookies.

Q. How do you know if children have been naughty or nice?

A. Lots of ways. First and foremost, though, are mums and dads who also send letters to Santa telling me all about which children are naughty and nice. Santa is now very tech savvy and is available by e-mail so I can get last minute instructions from mums and dads. So children must be good even up to the very last minute!

Q. How old are you?

A. That has been a closely guarded secret and I'm not about to tell now! All I can say is that I have seen the parents of today's children grow up.

Q. How many letters from children do you read on TV every year in Bermuda?

A. Several thousand letters are posted in the box at the Phoenix store in Hamilton each year. We read every single one of them on TV. Rest assured though, even if we receive a letter late and can't read it on TV - all letters are read no matter what.

Q. What seems to be the most popular toy this year?

A. For girls it is definitely anything and everything to do with Hannah Montana, including CDs, DVDs, dolls and games. For boys it's the Bakugan characters, which are from the Japanese television animation series.

Q. What is the most frequent question you get from children?

A. How I fit down the chimney or what happens if they don't have a chimney. And the answer to that is also a very closely guarded secret but I tell children not to worry - where there is a will, there's a way.

Q. How long does it take to deliver all those toys to everyone?

A. My explanation is that I deliver toys in "a twinkling of an eye" but it takes longer than that although delivering toys does go by very quickly!

Q. Who is your favourite reindeer?

A. I bet you can guess! My favourite reindeer has a red nose and when the children come and see me in person at the Phoenix Annex Toys many of them wear a red nose!

Q. What do the reindeers like to eat?

A. They are partial to carrots.

Q. What do you and Mrs. Claus do during the 'off season'?

A. There is never an off season.

We are always busy at the North Pole because there is always something to do.

Although we do get a break in the summer for a couple weeks and during that time I love to read. Santa never stops learning new things.

Q. What is your favorite Christmas Bermudian food?

A. Cassava pie of course!

Q. What do you enjoy most about Bermuda?

A. For me, the biggest kick I get is being part of the Santa Claus Parade each year. It's a wonderful night. I missed the Christmas Boat Parade this year but I'm hoping it will be back better and bigger next year. I also enjoy being transported by the Bermuda Fire Service when I need to get around the island visiting children and various Christmas parties.

Q. How come children never see you when you are delivering presents?

A. Hopefully they won't see me because they should all be sound asleep. I can't deliver presents until they are sleeping so the longer it takes for them to go to sleep, the longer it takes for me to pay them a visit and deliver their presents.

Q. Some children are sure to want to know, how will you find them if they are visiting relatives and not at their homes on Christmas Eve?

A. Just like I keep track of who is naughty and nice, I keep track of where all the children are throughout the world. The two go hand-in-hand. They are not to worry, I will find them.