Welcome to another Conversation with Claus, a Skype session with Santa Claus in which he helps to solve people’s most pressing problems. In this month’s installment, Santa provides sage advice to Phil McCavity, a 45 year-old City Planner from the O.C.

Phil wants to stage the biggest and best celebration in his city’s history. So who better to consult with than the expert in all things Christmas—that loveable bowl full of jelly and jolly ol’ elf himself—the one-and-only Santa Claus.

Hi… Are you really Santa Claus?

Of course I am. What’s the matter? Don’t you believe in me?

Well, yeah. It’s just that I’ve never met an actual celebrity before.

Neither have I. Although I’ve delivered presents to all of them. All except those Kardashian girls. They seem to do something naughty pretty much every year.

Well, Mr. Claus…

Please, call me Santa. Or Nick. Or Kris.

Okay Santa. Anyway, there’s something I really need to ask you.

Is it about the flying reindeer? Everyone always wants to know how the reindeer fly. Although I think it was all pretty well explained in that TV movie about Rudolph when he goes to flying school and that cute doe kisses him on the cheek…

No Santa, it’s about my job.

Okay son, hop up on Santa’s laptop and tell me all about it.

Well, I’m a City Planner and I want to do something to really impress the town and help our retail businesses thrive during the Christmas shopping season. Got any ideas for me?

Do I? Son, you’re talking to Father Christmas here. I’ve got holiday tips out the ying yang. Try this one for size: get your city a huge, Santa-sized tree and put it right in the middle of your town square.

Santa-sized?

I’m talking even bigger than my XXXXXL red britches, 35 feet or taller. The kind that Mobile Illumination installs every year all across the Southland. Get Mobile Illumination to string thousands of bright, twinkling lights on it, too

That’s a great idea Santa!

You’re telling me. The tree is the perfect gathering spot for your city, and the essential starting point for your entire display. Once you have that giant lighted tree in place, you can plan all kinds of holiday events around it. How about a tree-lighting ceremony, complete with hot cocoa and carols from a local choir? Heck, for a little eggnog and cookies, I’ll even show up to pose for photos with the kiddies.

Perfect! Any other ideas?

With a snowmaker or two, you can easily transform a mall, main street or public park into a snow-covered winter wonderland. And temporary ice rinks offer Southern Californians the rare chance to experience the fun of ice-skating.

Is there anything else?

Only the most important thing of all. Be sure to adorn all of your city’s holiday attractions with warm, festive Christmas lighting from my friends at Mobile Illumination.

Thanks Santa. That’s all great advice. I guess you’ll be visiting me again in December, huh?

Well, that all depends. Let me just check my “Naughty or Nice” database here. Is it Phil McCavity with a “y” at the end or two “e’s”?