Elf Hugo and Elf Bernard Talk the Mail and Santa’s Workshop
North Pole Chat this month featured two key elves from the North Pole – Elf Hugo, Postmaster at the North Pole Post Office and Elf Bernard, the head elf at Santa’s workshop. They were here to answer questions about messages and wish lists for Santa and how the workshop works. This is a transcript of the conversation:
| Elf Ernest | Welcome to North Pole Chat today, folks. We have a lot of people online. |
| Elf Ernest | Our chat today will be hosted by Elf Frank Myrrh of North Pole Radio News. |
| Elf Ernest | He will first be asking a few questions of Elf Hugo, North Pole Postmaster, who is with us. |
| Elf Ernest | After he chats a bit with Hugo he will open up to question for Hugo from others who are here. Elf Bernard should be joining us soon. |
| Elf Ernest | Frank, take it away. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Thanks, Elf Ernest and hello everyone. Elf Hugo, who has been on chat before, is here with us now. Hugo thanks for coming! |
| Elf Hugo | It is always an honor, Elf Frank |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Is the North Pole Post Office busy yet? |
| Elf Hugo | Yes, it is insanely busy. We have already started our ramp up. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | What does that mean? |
| Elf Hugo | It means we’re adding elves to our staff every week, about 500 a week for now. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Wow. |
| Elf Hugo | Yes, that’s a little ahead of last year. I think Santa’s going to get a lot of mail this year. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Is that who gets the most mail? |
| Elf Hugo | Of course. Santa gets more mail than anyone. But we also process mail for Mrs. Claus and for popular elves like Elf Frank Myrrh |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Oh stop it. |
| Elf Hugo | I love giving you trouble, Frank. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | I think the most common question we have is why Santa doesn’t write back when someone sends him a message. |
| Elf Hugo | Yes, we do see that question a lot. |
| Elf Hugo | The obvious answer is that Santa doesn’t have time to answer all his mail. |
| Elf Hugo | If he did that he’d never get to be Santa. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | What happens when Santa’s mail comes in? |
| Elf Hugo | Santa’s mail gets directed to it’s own room, that’s how much mail he gets. We call it the sorting center. |
| Elf Hugo | It comes in and gets sorted by elves who put them into stacks or, if on a computer, into files, for the type of mail that it is |
| Elf Hugo | Many of them are wish lists |
| Elf Hugo | Some of them are questions |
| Elf Hugo | Others are of a personal nature |
| Elf Crusader | Hello elves! Its elf crusader! |
| Elf Hugo | As they get sorted for type, they also get sorted for priority |
| Elf Hugo | There are elves who have to decide what messages Santa sees first. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Ok, friends. It’s time for your questions for Elf Hugo. Who wants to ask him a question? |
| Elf Crusader | I got one |
| Elf Ulan | I do! |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Just shout out the question, Hugo will try to answer each one |
| Elf Sugar Cookie | Hi Elf Hugo! I moved this year. Is there some sort of change of address form I need to fill out, or should I put the new address on the envelope of my letter to Santa? |
| Elf Crusader | What happens if a letter is sent with a wishlist while santa is delivering, |
| Elf Hugo | Very good question, Elf Sugar Cookie |
| Elf Ulan | Thank you! Elf Hugo, I want to make sure about Christmas Stocking in the wish list |
| Elf Hugo | While technically Santa doesn’t need your address we still like to have it. Just make sure to use a return address on what you send in. If you are doing it online, you can tell us in a message. We will make sure it gets to Santa only. |
| Elf Sugar Cookie | Ok, perfect. Thank you so much!! |
| Elf Hugo | Elf Crusader, that’s a good question too. |
| Elf Hugo | We work hard to keep the mail flowing. We will send messages to Santa while he is on the sleigh, but we have to work that through North Pole Flight Command. |
| ElfShine | How long is this chat |
| Elf Crusader | What if a letter asks for new gifts and santa is already delivering? |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Today’s chat will go for a full hour so that Elf Hugo and Elf Bernard can both answer questions. |
| Elf Hugo | Santa does the best he can with what he has. But not every wish list is fulfilled. But Santa will know about it at least. |
| Elf Hugo | Some people ask for things they shouldn’t have, but that’s a separate conversation. |
| ElfShine | okay will be chat with Santa or Mrs clause |
| Elf Crusader | Sector 1 |
| Elf Hugo | Santa follows a similar path each year in his delivery. He starts in Sector 1, where he visits parts of the South Pacific. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Santa and Mrs. Claus will be scheduled for chat later this year. |
| Elf Ulan | Elf Hugo, I didn’t know how to write about “any special requests for your Christmas stocking. |
| ElfShine | what month will Santa be in chat |
| Elf Hugo | Special requests? Me? I keep things pretty simple for Santa, myself. He always brings me something nice. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | We don’t know yet when the chat with Santa will be scheduled. |
| Elf Crusader | Hugo, what does santa do about special letters? Like ones sent from kids in the hospital or from people who are struggling? |
| Elf Ulan | That’s in the wish list |
| Elf Sugar Cookie | Oh, Elf Ulan, did you have a question about the wishlist form on here? I think it might mean that you can write what you would like Santa to put in your Christmas stocking. |
| Elf Hugo | The sorting process decides how Santa sees it. Those letters do get priority. |
| Elf Crusader | Frank, i had an idea for a podcast…. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Ok, Crusader. Spill it. |
| Elf Hugo | I’m glad someone mentioned the wish list form – I think it will be changing a little bit soon. |
| Elf Crusader | I thought that maybe i should try talking to crash or pinky about the new tracking center for sector 5 |
| Elf Sugar Cookie | How will it be changing? |
| ElfShine | why would talk |
| Elf Hugo | We have to be careful when we change those forms. |
| Elf Ulan | Thank you, Elf Hugo! Yes, that’s right. I’ll send it again! |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | So…that wish list form will be more customized? |
| Elf Hugo | Yes, I think that’s the goal. |
| ElfShine | where can I leave wishlist and Santa read it give the toys that on the list |
| Elf Crusader | Hugo, is my picture still at the post office? |
| Elf Hugo | You can fill out you wish list right here on Santa Update |
| Elf Hugo | Yes, Elf Crusader. I use your picture as a dart board. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Ha! |
| Elf Crusader | Hahaha |
| Elf Hugo | I’m just kidding. |
| Elf Crusader | Figured you were. I will take that as a yes lol! |
| Elf Bernard | Hello |
| Elf Sugar Cookie | Elf Hugo, this might be a question for Elf Bernard too, but do you know if the Workshop elves ever consider a wishlist to be sent too late for them? I usually send mine at the end of November, but I’m sure that adds to the holiday rush for them. |
| Elf Sugar Cookie | Hi Elf Bernard!! How are you? |
| Elf Crusader | Bernard! Nice to meet you officially |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Folks, Elf Bernard of Santa’s Workshop has joined us. I believe this is his first time in chat. Welcome, Elf Bernard. |
| Elf Bernard | Thank you, hello. I’m a little nervous. |
| Elf Ulan | Elf Hugo, how to add 500 elves I the sorting center every week? |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | It’s okay, Elf Bernard. We’ll be gentle. |
| Elf Crusader | Its alright bernard, yourevamong friends! |
| Elf Sugar Cookie | Elf Bernard, everyone here is very nice and looking forward to speaking with you! |
| Elf Hugo | Elf Ulan, we train them through out the year. As we add them they already know what to do. |
| ElfShine | How do you what toys are in each year |
| Elf Bernard | Thank you for your kindness. |
| Elf Crusader | Hugo, do the regionsl tracking centers get mail? |
| Elf Hugo | Elf Sugar Cookie, to answer your question, I would tell you that the Workshop is a very organized place. Elf Bernard runs a tight ship. They do very good with last minute changes. |
| Elf Ulan | Okay, thank you, Elf Hugo! I feel relieved to hear that. |
| Elf Sugar Cookie | That’s good to hear, Elf Hugo, thank you. So those last minute changes don’t stress them out too much? |
| Elf Hugo | Yes, Elf Crusader, the Regional Tracking Centers all get a lot of mail. We try to make it electronic for them. We scan letters that come in by hand |
| Elf Crusader | Bernard, speaking of last minute, do you still send out gifts if a wishlist is sent at the last minute? |
| Elf Ulan | (Hello, Elf Bernard! Nice to meet you! |
| Elf Hugo | There is naturally a cut off for last minute wish list changes. But usually the Workshop works even on Christmas Eve to accomodate last minute changes. |
| Elf Bernard | Our work that last week is pretty much all “changes” to wish lists. |
| Elf Ulan | Elf Hugo, do you send a wishlist too? |
| Elf Crusader | Ive heard bernard is nothing like david krumholtz character in the santa clause movies. Wonder why hollywood used bernards name anyways? |
| Elf Hugo | Yes, of course. I always send Santa a wish list. I have to test to see that process keeps working. |
| Elf Bernard | Yes, Elf Crusader. I do not like that movie. |
| Elf Ulan | Okay, and what did you receive from Santa? XD |
| Elf Crusader | Hugo, does the post office ever reply back to someone? |
| Elf Hugo | Last year I got a very neat pocket knife from Santa. Santa knows I use one in my job and he got me a new one that’s really neat. It was a very thoughtful gift |
| Elf Hugo | Our job is to receive mail, Elf Crusader. Not answer it. However, we do send out mail too, just not in as big of quantities. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Elf Bernard, how does the mail affect you? |
| Elf Ulan | Wow, that’s really nice! |
| Elf Bernard | We don’t know what to make at the Workshop without mail. We work with Elf Hugo’s team to figure that out. It starts early every year. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Does Santa tell you what to make Elf Bernard? |
| Elf Crusader | Bernard, is there any toy or gift thats almost impossible to make? |
| Elf Bernard | Yes, Santa has a list too. A big one. We always make what Santa directs. But we work with Elf Hugo too. |
| Elf Sugar Cookie | Elf Bernard, I love reading the holiday toy catalogs that come out each year (even if what I ask for usually doesn’t come from there lol). Does the Workshop get sent that information early so they can make those toys? Do you guys work with toy companies to know what they’re planning on coming up with? |
| Elf Ulan | I wish Santa’s Eggnog someday. I still haven’t gotten any yet lol |
| Elf Crusader | I wish the pole would send me elf eggnog |
| Elf Bernard | Santa has a team of elves who coordinate things with toy companies. We make some of those toys and some come from them directly to Santa for delivery. Depends on the toy. |
| Elf Crusader | Favorite toy to make ? |
| Elf Bernard | Santa works with them year round. You should see the stuff coming out for 2028 |
| Elf Sugar Cookie | That’s really cool!!! |
| Elf Bernard | I don’t know if I have a favorite. I miss making some of the old toys. Some, like silly putty, never go out of style. I love making that stuff. |
| Elf Ulan | And what is your favorite toy, Elf Bernard? |
| Elf Bernard | I don’t know what Santa’s least favorite toy is. I do know he struggles to deliver some kinds of toys. Like those really long longboards |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | How is silly putty actually made? |
| Elf Bernard | Silly putty begins with rubber extracted from a forest in India. |
| Elf Crusader | Ok i gotta ask, who is the most popular or famous person to write to the pole? |
| Elf Hugo | Oh wow |
| Elf Hugo | Santa is by far the most popular Elf Crusader |
| Elf Crusader | Do you get letters from celebrities? |
| Elf Hugo | Oh yes, we hear from famous people all the time. |
| Elf Ernest | Hold on, folks. |
| Elf Crusader | Lik we who? Tom brady? |
| Elf Crusader | Hello ernest |
| Elf Hugo | Yes, Santa has received letters from Mr. Brady before. Not unusual. Lots of famous people believe in Santa |
| Elf Crusader | Im guessing he asked for more superbowl rings lol |
| Elf Sugar Cookie | Does the Workshop make anything else besides toys? |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Ok, Bernard you still with us? |
| Elf Bernard | Yes, still here. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | That does beg a question – Elf Hugo, does inappropriate mail ever come in to the North Pole? |
| Elf Hugo | Yes, it happens quite a bit |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | How often does Santa work in the Workshop? |
| Elf Bernard | Santa is there more than many realize. Of course, come November, he’s away from the North Pole a lot. But even then he will sneak in from time to time. |
| Elf Hugo | Does Santa actually build toys? |
| Elf Bernard | Santa loves to build toys. He’s an expert. That is his first job as Santa. You can always tell a toy that Santa has made. Or at least, I can tell. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | How do you tell? |
| Elf Bernard | I can tell just by looking at it or handling it. But sometimes Santa puts a hidden S in very light pencil on a toy |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Wow, that’s cool. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Does Santa make other things? |
| Elf Bernard | Yes, many people think the workshop is about toys alone. We make all kinds of stuff, however. Like Elf Hugo’s pocket knife. It was made right here. |
| Elf Hugo | Really? |
| Elf Bernard | Yes, I know in your case Santa made that knife personally. |
| Elf Hugo | Wow. Now it’s really special! |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | I’ll say |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Do you know when Santa is going to show up? |
| Elf Bernard | Sometimes I do. But many times Santa just comes in because he has a special project in mind that he wants to work on. He’s got his own workstation here, and of course, he has a full workshop at his house. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Have you ever seen Santa’s workshop at his house? |
| Elf Bernard | Yes, it’s quite the place. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Are there things in the workshop at his house that aren’t at the big workshop where you are? |
| Elf Bernard | Ummm…not really. But Santa tends to use his home workshop for a lot of his own personal stuff. Because we work with both the Post Office and Flight Command on delivery he does most of his special gift work here. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | So what does he work on at home? |
| Elf Bernard | Well, Santa is kind of a vehicle freak. He’s a mechanic. He loves old sleighs, old cars, even trains. He does a lot of that kind of work there. Just about anything else he works on here. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Santa works on old trains at his house? |
| Elf Bernard | Have you ever seen his backyard? |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | No. Not really. |
| Elf Bernard | He’s got trains back there. Big ones. He loves them. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | I had no idea. |
| Elf Bernard | Santa is a serious train nut. If you get him talking he can go on all day about it. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | I knew he liked trains. Just didn’t know he worked on them in his backyard. That’s fascinating. |
| Elf Bernard | Santa can work on anything. He knows how stuff works. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | How did you get your job? |
| Elf Ulan | Elf Bernard, I submitted some toy ideas in Toyvember a few years ago. Do you remember? It? |
| Elf Bernard | I’ve worked for Santa most of my life. He showed me when I was a kid how to work with wood. |
| Elf Bernard | Elf Ulan, yes, I remember it. |
| Elf Ulan | I’m curious if you chose one of my ideas! |
| Elf Bernard | I don’t do the choosing. Santa does that. |
| Elf Bernard | We had so many entries that I cannot even remember what was chosen last time |
| Elf Ulan | Okay, so I should ask Santa about it |
| Elf Bernard | I’m curious to see when Santa calls for Toyvember again. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | How often does he do that? |
| Elf Bernard | It happens every couple of years. |
| Elf Bernard | And it has been ….what?….two years now? |
| Elf Ulan | Oh, maybe next year? |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Yes, I believe so |
| Elf Bernard | It could happen next winter, Elf Ulan |
| Elf Bernard | Do you have new ideas, Elf Ulan? |
| Elf Ulan | I’ll start thinking about it! XD |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Do you ever invent toys, Elf Bernard? |
| Elf Bernard | No, I’m a production guy. I’m not inventive |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Do you even play with toys? |
| Elf Bernard | Well, yeah. I have my hobbies. |
| Elf Hugo | You do? Like what? |
| Elf Bernard | I collect old records and play them on old record players that I fix up. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Oh wow. That’s so cool. |
| Elf Bernard | Yes, I usually do that during Christmas in July. There’s no time right now for that kind of stuff. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Any last minute questions for either Hugo or Bernard? We’re wrapping up in the next few minutes. |
| Elf Ulan | What toys do you usually make? Did you add a new toy to this year? |
| Elf Bernard | We add a few new toys each year, and take a few away. It just depends on what the kids want. Santa directs us. |
| Elf Bernard | As usual, electronic toys are very big this year. |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Do you see the wish lists? |
| Elf Bernard | Not usually, no. I don’t see individual things. I get lists of stuff to make and then I figure out with my elves how to make them |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Friends, thank you all for being here. And Elf Hugo and Elf Bernard, thank you for your information and your time. |
| Elf Ulan | electronic toys, okay, thank you! |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Join us again in a few weeks. I believe Elf Crash Murphy or Elf Roger Star will be chatting with us |
| Elf Frank Myrrh | Bye everyone! |
| Santa Fan3579 | Hello hope you are all happy in the North pole getting ready for Christmas |
| Elf Hugo | Thanks everyone! |
| Elf Bernard | Merry Christmas Everyone! |
| Elf Ulan | Thank you, Elf Hugo and Elf Bernard! |
| Elf Ulan | Merry Christmas! |
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Thank you so much for posting this transcript! I apologize for leaving without saying goodbye; I had gotten locked out of the chat and then had to leave for some plans. Huge thank you to Elf Ernest, Elf Frank Myrrh, Elf Hugo, and Elf Bernard for a great and very interesting chat!
Thank you, Elf Winslow! Thank you, Elf Ernest, Elf Frank, Elf Hugo, and Elf Bernard; I learned a lot from you all! I’m curious about if Mrs. Claus and other elves have mail rooms in the sorting center, if the Old Sleigh Museum is next to Santa’s house, etc. My country has an idiom, “once-in-a-lifetime encounter.” Each chat time is precious, so I always appreciate seeing everyone in the North Pole Village!
I hope we’ll see them again soon, and I’m looking forward to the next chat with Elf Crash! Merry Christmas! XD