Conversations with Claus Vol.3 – Christmas Lighting City Planner

[share title=”SHARE THIS POST” facebook=”true” twitter=”true” google_plus=”true” linkedin=”true” pinterest=”true” reddit=”true” email=”true”]

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.

[content_band style=”color: #333; margin-top: 30px; margin-right: 35px;” bg_color=”#b8deeb” border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
Hi… Are you really Santa Claus?
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #ffffff; margin-left: 35px;” bg_color=”#b00319″ border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
Of course I am. What’s the matter? Don’t you believe in me?
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #333; margin-right: 35px;” bg_color=”#b8deeb” border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
Well, yeah. It’s just that I’ve never met an actual celebrity before.
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #ffffff; margin-left: 35px;” bg_color=”#b00319″ border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
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.
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #333; margin-right: 35px;” bg_color=”#b8deeb” border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
Well, Mr. Claus…
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #ffffff; margin-left: 35px;” bg_color=”#b00319″ border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
Please, call me Santa. Or Nick. Or Kris.
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #333; margin-right: 35px;” bg_color=”#b8deeb” border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
Okay Santa. Anyway, there’s something I really need to ask you.
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #ffffff; margin-left: 35px;” bg_color=”#b00319″ border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
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…
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #333; margin-right: 35px;” bg_color=”#b8deeb” border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
No Santa, it’s about my job.
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #ffffff; margin-left: 35px;” bg_color=”#b00319″ border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
Okay son, hop up on Santa’s laptop and tell me all about it.
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #333; margin-right: 35px;” bg_color=”#b8deeb” border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
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?
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #ffffff; margin-left: 35px;” bg_color=”#b00319″ border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
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.
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #333; margin-right: 35px;” bg_color=”#b8deeb” border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
Santa-sized?
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #ffffff; margin-left: 35px;” bg_color=”#b00319″ border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
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.
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #333; margin-right: 35px;” bg_color=”#b8deeb” border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
That’s a great idea Santa!
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #ffffff; margin-left: 35px;” bg_color=”#b00319″ border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
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.
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #333; margin-right: 35px;” bg_color=”#b8deeb” border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
Perfect! Any other ideas?
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #ffffff; margin-left: 35px;” bg_color=”#b00319″ border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
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.
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #333; margin-right: 35px;” bg_color=”#b8deeb” border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
Is there anything else?
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #ffffff; margin-left: 35px;” bg_color=”#b00319″ border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
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.
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #333; margin-right: 35px;” bg_color=”#b8deeb” border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
Thanks Santa. That’s all great advice. I guess you’ll be visiting me again in December, huh?
[/content_band]

[content_band style=”color: #ffffff; margin-left: 35px;” bg_color=”#b00319″ border=”all” inner_container=”true” padding_top=”10px” padding_bottom=”10px”]
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”?
[/content_band]