Editor’s note: This interview with Santa Claus was arranged with local resident Mike Jones, who has been depicting Santa for more than 40 years. This is his first year at the Greenville Mall.
You better watch out, you better not cry — because Santa Claus is already in town, making his list and checking it twice.
Every year, children are reminded to behave themselves in order to receive a gift from Santa come Christmas morning.
Delta youth have been especially good this year, Santa said as he sat in his green throne at the Greenville Mall, 1651 Mississippi 1 S.
“All the kids I’ve seen have been good. I’ve not seen any bad kids and if they came in that gate being naughty, they went out with a clean slate of being nice. Or, Santa Claus won’t come see them,” he said with a wink.
Just in case any naughty children do make it onto his list, Santa said he still keeps a chest full of coal and a bucket full of switches, just in case.
“They better watch out,” he said with a laugh.
When Santa needs to take a break during the day from his routine, typically to Garfield’s Restaurant located inside the mall, he said it doesn’t take long for people, especially children, to take notice of him.
“I take my sack of candy canes with me and greet people. One day, the restaurant got pretty full so as I got up to leave, I went around the whole restaurant greeting people and handing out candy canes,” he said.
Santa said he’s been busy not only at the mall, but also at events around town, including making appearances at local restaurants, barbershops, toy drives, fundraisers and more.
Santa will even be at Monday’s grand reopening and ribbon cutting of the remodeled Wendy’s, 1704 U.S. 82 E., which is set to start at 10 a.m.
For those wondering, Santa said there’s nothing fake about his appearance.
“There’s nothing fake about me, it’s all real belly and a real beard. Even my beard is all natural, I don’t salt and pepper it,” he said.
When children tell Santa what they want for Christmas, he said there are always popular toys requested, and some are unexpected.
Some of the popular wish list items children have been asking for this year include Elsa dolls from the “Frozen” movies, L.O.L. toys, Apple watches, video games, cell phones, and even unicorns.
One gift request made, Santa said, was a special moment for him.
“The most heart-touching request I had, and it was on my first day here, was a young boy who asked for a Bible. When I looked up, his mom had tears in her eyes and I said, ‘You heard that didn’t you?’ and she said she did. … It’s something I’ll never forget.”
For Santa, he said it doesn’t matter how old or young a person is, they are always welcome to stop by for a visit.
“I love doing this, I just try to cheer people up. If you walk by here and you’ve got a frown on your face, before you make it to the corner, you’re gonna have a smile.”
To make the mall more festive in the days leading to Christmas, Santa said he has talked to the mall manager about bringing in Christmas carolers, whether they’re from a church, school or other groups, to sing holiday melodies.
“We’re trying to promote the community and get people involved. It’s Christmas, we don’t need doom and gloom, we want peace, joy and happiness,” he said.
For any groups or persons interested in participating, they are asked to call mall manager Teresa Johnson at 662-820-4213 to schedule a time.
“The mall would echo really well with the sound of Christmas carols. Church choirs can really give you a strong sound.”
While children are at the mall, they can even submit a letter to Santa and drop it in the mailbox.
For those interested in taking a picture with Santa, photos cost $12 for one 5-x-7, $20 for two 5-x-7s, and three 5-x7s (the Christmas package) costs $25.
Santa will be at the Greenville Mall from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-6 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 23. On Dec. 16 and 23, even pets are invited for Santa Claws and Paws Pet Photo Days to visit and take a picture.
Santa’s last day will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24 before he returns to the North Pole to prepare for a long night of delivering presents and eating cookies at the homes of children around the world.
