Each year the months went by quicker than Kris and Annie thought possible. Annie was busy all the time setting up more production lines and overseeing the work needing to be done. Kris had gotten into preparing his lists and reading all the letters that were now coming in by the sack full.
He continued to achieve successful runs, and each year his fame, and his list, continued to spread farther and longer.
“Do you really think we will be able to fill all these wishes?” he asked his wife one evening.
“We will do everything possible to take care of as many as we can. But yes...I think we will be able to do it. The question is should we?” responded Annie.
“How do you mean?” a surprised Kris asked.
“Well some of those children may not be the most well behaved and I worry we will be rewarding poor behavior as much as good.” Annie stated.
“How could we ever know? It would be impossible to keep track of who is bad and who is not.” protested Kris.
“Maybe this year, but I think I am going to put some people on it and see if we can't determine this in the future. I have been told that we will be getting millions of requests every year in the not too distant future, and I think we need to know.” Annie said matter-of-factly.
“MILLIONS?” coughed Kris, “How can we deliver millions of toys? Even with everything we are working toward, I can't imagine visiting millions of homes!”
Annie smiled and said calmly, “You will, just wait and see.”
It was during a year when he saw hundreds of thousands of products being shipped to various distribution centers around the world that he thought of Annie's prediction and just shook his head. As he planned his route with Sky, he talked about how much more area he could cover.
Sky said, “The world is definitely getting bigger. Look how much more land the Americans have settled this year alone.”
The year was 1803 and she pointed to the area acquired by the United States from France. Kris said the biggest problem was that everyone was so spread out.
“Well they won't be for long. People seem to be populating every corner of the world and much of the world is adopting Christianity as you had hoped they would.” Sky laughed at the last statement and chortled, “Be careful what you wish for, because it may come true!”
“Well at least I will be known, and not feared, if I am caught in their house!” Kris rebutted, “Heaven forbid we return to the days when they thought I was a thief instead.”
Together they poured over how best to begin and end the journey. Looking at the potential jet streams and which way they might change was bad enough, but trying to figure how to effectively cover an entire area in a very short period without putting the whole world in a perpetual state of suspended animation was puzzling Kris considerably.
“You know you could still do this over several days, instead of one night,” suggested Sky.
“How could I when they are all expecting me on Christmas Eve?” Santa said as he shook his head.
“Not everyone,” Sky commented. “According to some legends, many people now put out shoes on the feast day of your ancestor – December 6th, or more precisely on the eve of that day, December 5th. You could take them their presents and treats on that day and leave the rest for the 24th like usual.”
Kris knew that special celebrations were being held around the day the original St. Nicholas had passed away, but did not know children were hoping to receive gifts then. “Perhaps I could try it out this year and see what kind of reception I get. It seems silly to hitch up all the reindeer for a handful of countries, though,” Santa mused.
“Why not just take Amerigo as you have in the past? Chances are he could handle that well enough, and it would save the strength of the reindeer for later that month,” advised Sky.
“That's a good idea, Sky. I think I will talk to Forrest regarding that, and I need to put it to the Council, and my wife,” he said with a mighty “Ho, ho, ho.”
After clearing everything through the Council (and asking his wife beforehand) he loaded his trusty steed once more, and left for the European and Nordic countries that celebrated the Feast of St. Nicholas.
In order to further save Amerigo's energy he asked, and received, permission from the Council to take one of the fast boats to Spain, and begin his journey there. For many decades afterward this tradition would continue.
In consideration of Annie's concern, he also decided to bring along a stern looking elf from the North Pole that had a remarkable characteristic. By just being around a person, he could tell if that person had evil intent, or was of a “blackheart”, as he called it. Annie said it wouldn't be perfect, but perhaps if children were found to be of 'bad quality' that perhaps to leave them a switch would be better than treats.
Kris was concerned about what kind of message he would be sending parents and children if they were to be punished rather than given gifts on the feast day. Annie had the Council put the idea to a vote, and it carried with a majority, especially since Kris was unable to vote except in ties.
However it was amended that Zwarte Piet, or Black Peter as he became known, would only visit children prior to the Feast of St. Nicholas, and not around or at Christmas, which was a time of forgiveness for all men, especially children. Anywhere he left a switch would announce to Santa Claus that the child there was not to receive a present or treats.
Black Peter was called by many names, mostly Krampas or Grampas in Europe and was often drawn as a grotesque monster, which he laughed about. He was actually from Holland, but carried a dark complexion and walked with a large staff. He was taller than most elves and was quite gaunt when compared to Kris. An imposing figure to children, he sensed most children as good hearted, but wasn't afraid to leave a few switches when he felt otherwise.
In the end, it did make it easier for Santa Claus to distribute many of his gifts and treats to children there, and it allowed Amerigo to continue enjoying his celebrity status as St. Nicholas' horse throughout Europe.
This change in delivery further allowed Kris to take care of many countries prior to the Christmas Eve run. The other continent that was growing as fast as the North American land mass was Australia.
Australia had officially celebrated its first Christmas on December 25, 1788. It had taken a few years to catch on, but once it truly began, it spread like a wildfire. Soon Santa Claus and Sky were mapping out an entire new route for the Southern Hemisphere.
Like the Americas, the area to the south was gaining more and more people. Originally starting out as a penal colony from the British, Australia attracted other citizens as the other new world, America, to colonize it. The seasonality of this area was in complete opposite of Great Britain and the rest of Europe, with summer being in the latter half of the year and winter being in June, July and the surrounding months.
One especially good thing for Kris, is that by being at the opposite end of the world, they were a full day ahead of the rest. Meaning that their Christmas Eve was actually December 23rd in the other parts of the world he frequented. So he could actually do his visits a full day ahead of the remainder of the world.
Kris had contemplated using Amerigo for that trip as well, and had discussed it at length with Forrest.
“I don't know, Santa. Amerigo is getting pretty old to be taking on yet another journey,” said a concerned Forrest, “Is there a particular reason you do not want to use the reindeer?”
“For the same reason I worry about using my horse,” Santa replied. “I really don't want to wear out my reindeer either. The rest of the continents are growing so fast and I am thinking that a full two day run may exhaust the team.”
“Why don't we add a couple more reindeer instead?” questioned Forrest.
“Bring the team up to nine?' Santa scratched his head, “I am not sure they would all fit on many of the roofs.”
“Why not give it a try, as you do not seem to be having too much trouble with seven. Besides if a roof isn't long enough you could just set the team on the ground, as you do on occasion and pop in and out, like you usually do,” said Forrest.
“I finally just got the hang of making seven run as one. Who would you add?” Santa asked curiously.
Forrest thought for a moment, “As you know we have begun switching several of the deer each year, I would just add a couple more of the ones you like, and since they are already seasoned, it probably wouldn't be much of an adjustment. Besides, you don't always use Torch, so it would be eight instead of nine. On those trips you would have the same length as when you have seven.
Forrest looked toward the barn, “Besides ever since you came up with this brainchild of yours, we have been adding more reindeer and running them through the reindeer games to see what other deer we might put on that team of yours. I have a great one that I have been anxious to try, but the darn thing keeps getting pregnant every year just before Christmas. We changed her name to Vixen because she attracts males to her like ‘flies to honey’.”
“Seems we have that problem with Cinnamon, too,” Santa laughed.
“Yeah, that's another one, look how often we have had to switch out her for Comet. And Ginger, while not as often, we had to use Pocatello for her many times, too.” Forrest said shaking his head. “And if they are not pregnant, they are losing their antlers early.”
“Yes, but even with all that, you can't beat the speed and strength of the team. Okay, we'll try eight and hope the weather holds this Christmas. But you better have a ninth halter just in case, said Santa.
“You already know I will,” laughed Forrest.
The world was expanding rapidly. Every year Santa and his team went out, they had to cover more homes, more families, and more land. Santa Claus was given a miracle every year in that he never seemed to tire. He kept going in and out of every house and would pick up more letters and notes and would leave more treats.
Something began happening that really picked up his spirits. Often he would pop into a home and not only see the stockings hung, but a plate of treats left for him. Often accompanied by a glass of milk or cream and a note thanking him for the presents.
In America often it was cookies, sometimes it was sherry and mince pies in Britain and Australia, in Sweden children left rice porridge. After a time they began leaving carrots for his team also. Forrest often complained about the smell of the stables for days after Christmas as the carrots didn't always agree with their digestion, even if the reindeer were anxious to eat them.
In Ireland they had begun leaving Guinness and mince pies or cookies. Santa often had to take several breaks after leaving Ireland to empty his overly full bladder. Another miracle was he never became inebriated, no matter how much he drank that night. But no matter the offering, he appreciated their gifts and always ate and drank as much as they left him.
He was really getting into a routine every year. Just before the eve of St. Nicholas he would send Peter on his way to identify the bad children, then he and Amerigo would follow up with his goodies for their shoes.
On Christmas Eve, he always began in the Australian continental area now on the 23rd and left his presents with them. While there wasn't nearly the settlement increases like in the U.S., Kris knew he might as well get used to this part of the world because it wouldn't be long until Australia became a heavily settled and populated country. He'd then cross the International Date Line and begin the Northern Hemisphere starting with the Netherlands and circumventing the globe a few times until he finished his rounds.
Another tradition was beginning in the Latin American countries especially in Central and South America. There they would await their gifts for the Epiphany which took place on the twelfth day of Christmas or January 6th. While they celebrated Christmas, it was kept as a strictly religious holiday with the twelfth day or “Three Kings Day” reserved for gifting and celebrations.
This gave Kris a chance to once more rest his teams and to bring presents on another day other than Christmas, while still keeping the Christmas meaning of the presents intact.
So now Kris was traveling several times from the North Pole in an effort to meet the variety of celebrations. By the second week of January he was exhausted, and while the adrenaline rush kept him going, he was ready for a couple quiet weeks when he finished.
Annie had finally suggested that he take an assistant with him to help with his duties.
“I already have Peter running all over Europe, what else do you suggest?” he asked.
“I mean a helper with you. Someone who would travel with you during the Christmas runs,” argued Annie.
“I suppose, but who would I pick? Whoever I chose would seem like favoritism over the other elves. And I can think of dozens of elves I wouldn't mind accompanying me on the trek. I can't take them all,” said Santa.
“Don't pick one, let it be decided by vote from the other elves,” replied his wife.
“Absolutely! We could have a voting throughout the North Pole, with one elf chosen to represent the entire elven community! That's brilliant, my dear!” Santa was exhilarated at the thought. “It might be especially nice to have some company on the long Christmas Eve trip.”
“This way you could have someone to work with and prepare your next visit while you did your current one and that might help speed things along,” grinned Annie.
“Yes, and he or she could assist when we get to the distribution centers and allow me to have some rest in between. I think this is a great idea. We will let the Council hold the balloting and elections and we will announce the winner the day before I leave. We could make a big event of it.” Kris was smiling from ear to ear over the prospect. He had been contemplating a similar notion but it took Annie to spur him into action.
A few years later the United States and Great Britain were once more at war with each other, as was France and Russia. It was a difficult time for all nations, and blessedly the Treaty of Ghent was signed on Christmas Eve of 1814. Santa and Annie had been praying for peace and it finally came, albeit uneasily.
Again the American economy was in ruin from the war. It had been especially difficult on the New England area and Washington, itself, was left burned and in ruins. The requests for help including clothing and other necessities were staggering. Kris thought he would never be able to supply enough of everything needed.
Several years afterward, the Spanish left the Florida's, and other parts of the continent, to the U.S. further increasing the size and population centers of the United States. Quickly the country was in expansion mode once more.
Kris could see another dark cloud on the horizon in this young country, and was fearful of the problems it would eventually cause.
Often the elves of the North Pole would become disgusted and discouraged over the continuous warring among nations, but Kris assured them that there were many more people who wished for peace than war. And because of the unending conflicts, people needed Santa more every year.
Then came a series of events that changed the course for Kris, Annie and the North Pole considerably.