Snow for Santa in short supply - 23rd December 2024

Across the planet, children are in a state of high excitement as they gear up for the long-awaited visitation of Father Christmas. Within the Arctic Circle, a modest but fortunate minority will, in person, soak up the festive extravaganza of glistening white snow blankets and relish the joviality of the larger-than-life Santa Claus.

Santa, meanwhile, is fretting as there's hardly a snowflake in sight.

Santa Claus: "We can see that the climate change is true. And it's affecting the reindeer. It's affecting the life here in the Arctic. Actually, talking this morning with my elves. Last year, the same day, we had minus 12 and we had this much of snow. So it's a, it's a different year."

Wenguel's journeyed from the US, and for her and others it's hard to conceal their slight dismay at the scarcity of snow.

Wenguel: "I figured it would be much more snowy. I mean, it still feels like Christmas just 'cos it's everywhere, but I figured it would be a little bit more, a little bit more Santa-like, if that makes sense. But it's nice to see the kids. They're super excited, so that's kind of pretty cool to see as well."

Others, like Debora from Italy, are more impacted by witnessing such a stark reminder of climate change.

Debora: "Anxious about the future. And uh sad, a little bit sad, because it's our fault."

The Grotto's a hive of activity as Santa's elves categorize the hundreds of thousands of missives that land on Santa's doorstep each Christmas period.

Elf Heidi: "This letter is from Malaysia and it's one of the 500,000 letters that Santa received last year."

Although some youngsters bare their soul to Santa, discussing their unease about global dilemmas or their personal, trying circumstances, the vast proportion simply notify him of their Christmas wish-list. Thankfully, it's unlikely that the paucity of snow will interfere with the conveyance of seasonal goodies!

Santa Claus: "Of course, my my reindeer, they can fly, fly, so that's no problem. But it's so much nicer when everything is covered with the snow and it really gives you the Christmas feeling."

In Lapland, one father-son duo from Ireland, Robert and Bobby, discussed how the youngster rated Santa Claus, once he'd encountered him in the flesh.

Robert: "What was he like?"

Bobby: "He was great, like brilliant."

Robert: "Did he look like the same as he looked last year when you met him?"

Bobby: "No, he looked a little bit different."

Robert: "Yeah."

While young hopefuls message Father Christmas with their seasonal wishes, the great man is hoping that his own wish for a dusting of snow might be granted, to cheer up himself and his faithful reindeer escort.