The Chronicles Of Grant County
Begins Flight Around The World From Southwest New Mexico
The National Christmas Tree is located south of The White House on The Ellipse in The President's Park in Washington, DC. According to a statement from the National Park Service, "Surrounding the National Christmas Tree is the America Celebrates display, a collection of 59 trees featuring student-designed ornaments that represent the United States' 56 states and territories, schools managed by the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Education and the Department of Defense Education Activity, and winners of the America250 America's Field Trip contest." (The photograph was produced by Andrea Hanks and provided courtesy of The White House, December 4, 2025.)
Santa Claus was here in Southwest New Mexico during the past week.
The Chronicles Of Grant County is now able to report – exclusively – that Santa Claus took off in his sleigh late last night from an undisclosed location in Southwest New Mexico.
The sleigh was led by Rudolph. Joining the red-nosed reindeer were Blitzen, Comet, Cupid, Dancer, Dasher, Donner, Prancer, and Vixen. The goal is to make deliveries in each time zone before the start of Christmas Day.
All nine of the reindeer were staying in the Gila Wilderness. It can be definitively reported now that Santa Claus was calling for Dancer at the time The Chronicles Of Grant County came upon what appeared to be caribou in the Gila Wilderness.
Faithful readers of The Chronicles Of Grant County are aware that "caribou" is the name used in North America for the same animal called "reindeer" in other parts of the world.
It turns out that Santa Claus was calling for Dancer so that the jolly old elf could take a selfie with Dancer.
The trip to that specific area of the Gila Wilderness came from information provided to The Chronicles Of Grant County by a person who wanted to remain anonymous. "Holly" was the name we used for this individual.
We're pleased that "Holly" came forward with critical information about her sighting of two "caribou" in Grant County. It was her tip that allowed The Chronicles Of Grant County to eventually confirm that Santa Claus had returned to Southwest New Mexico.
During our investigation, we found large volumes of fresh birch and willow tree leaves had been delivered to secure warehouses in Columbus, Quemado, Virden, and White Signal. Arrivals of fresh birch and willow tree leaves in past years took place in the days prior to and during the visit of Santa Claus and his nine reindeer to the region.
"Reindeer truly enjoy fresh birch and willow tree leaves," said an official with the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. "Fresh birch and willow tree leaves are quite nutritious – for reindeer. The leaves are part of a healthy diet for reindeer."
The Chronicles Of Grant County also acknowledges the assistance of Carol at the North Pole. She was kind enough to relay our wish to speak with Santa Claus, and he was gracious enough not only to return our call, but to meet with us.
We met with Santa Claus in a secluded locale in Luna County early on Tuesday.
In that interview – an exclusive interview – with Santa Claus, The Chronicles Of Grant County was able to witness first-hand the dedication of this man, Mrs. Claus, the nine reindeer, and the elves. The Chronicles Of Grant County agreed to publish comments from this interview only after Santa Claus and the reindeer had cleared American airspace on their way to the South Pacific.
"We work as a team," said Santa Claus. "I've been honored to be married to Mrs. Claus for many years. She provides strong support for our charitable activities throughout the year."
"Both she and I truly enjoy visiting Southwest New Mexico," he continued. "It's wonderful to be able to relax for a few days before our worldwide trip. The reindeer love meeting with dear friends in the area."
Santa Claus detailed some of the work of the elves.
"Our elves are amazing workers," Santa Claus stated. "I'm proud that our elves continue to produce toys that children want year-after-year as well as continue to innovate to create new toys that bring joy to children."
"It is this innovation that keeps the North Pole as one of the best places to work," he continued. "Our elves are very creative."
When we met, Santa Claus was finalizing the route he and the reindeer would follow to deliver presents to children – and children-at-heart – throughout the world. The route for the trip that began late last night from Southwest New Mexico will be repeated in early January as Santa Claus delivers gifts for children and families that celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7, 2026.
The interview was interrupted several times as Santa Claus had to take telephone calls and respond to emails from national leaders in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America.
"I have excellent relations with the leaders of every country on Earth," said Santa Claus. "While some leaders may have differences with their neighbors, all of the national leaders in the world provide safe passage for me and the reindeer to deliver our gifts for Christmas and Orthodox Christmas."
"I have found that people throughout the world love their children and want the best for them," he continued. "We have worked out full access to airspace within countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. Each of the nations, as well as individual groups within several countries, has confirmed that we will be able to make our deliveries to children without any difficulties."
Santa Claus made special note that these arrangements will mean that gifts will be delivered to children in countries from Ukraine to Venezuela and from Sudan to Haiti.
"Civilian and military officials in nations throughout the world have warm memories of Santa Claus visiting them when they were children," said Santa Claus. "All would like their own children to experience that same joy."
When asked if he had any advice for local folks in Southwest New Mexico, Santa Claus indicated that he did have some suggestions.
"For each child, please get to bed early tonight so that I can make a delivery to your home," Santa Claus said. "The elves have put together the lists of all the good little boys and good little girls in Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna Counties. I am very pleased that some of the children who told me last year that they would be better this year have fulfilled their commitments."
"Santa knows that some children may not be quite as good as they could be, but so long as a child is willing to strive to be better, Santa will always encourage that goal," he continued. "This also applies to children-at-heart. Each of us can always strive to be better."
"Tomorrow morning, children living all around the world will wake up to love," Santa Claus concluded. "I realize that not everyone will be able to get everything that they may want, but I am an optimist at heart. Through the eyes of children grows the love that provides the joy for this season and year-round."
"Merry Christmas!"
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