“You have to believe. It’s in your heart,” Mrs. Claus said as she smiled at Santa Claus from across the table. “If you believe in your mind — if you really believe in your mind its real, then Santa is real. He’s always been real.”

Mrs. Claus and Santa visited The Vicksburg Post for an interview before his appearance in Saturday’s Christmas Parade of Lights downtown and well ahead of his late-night trip around the world on Christmas Eve.

“I know I’ve been down here a lot of times,” Santa said when asked how many Christmas parades he and his wife have been in. Though Santa is very busy throughout the year he always makes the Vicksburg parade a priority.

But while special appearances this time of year is crucial, Santa is quick to give credit those who make the magic of Christmas possible, his elves and the work done to stay current in today’s toy world.

“I keep up with popular toys, which this year includes Ninja Turtles,” Santa said, adding electronics such as Apple products and classics like Barbie are still popular.

“Everyone wants an iPhone,” Santa said. “American Girls dolls are popular, too,” Mrs. Claus added.

“Toys aren’t made out of wood anymore,” Santa said and they had to build a new building at the North Pole just for all of the electronic presents children were asking for.

A request Santa has heard a lot more this year is one he is very familiar and one that he very cautious in handling.

Santa also says if a child wants a pet for Christmas he has to get permission from their parents before Christmas Eve.

“We’ve also had an unusual request for pets this year,” Santa said he has to be careful when it comes to giving pets to children. “I got in trouble a long time ago from some parents, so the parents have to make a decision on that, not me,”

And just how does Santa collect his information for each child’s wish list.

“I start receiving wish lists Christmas morning when everyone starts opening their gifts and wished they’d gotten something else,” Santa said with a laugh.

Santa says the elves help him keep track of the letters he gets from children each year. “See that’s the magic, I have a lot of helpers,” Santa said. In addition to being Santa’s main helper, Mrs. Claus plays an important role in every run up to Christmas.

“I keep Santa in line, I make him behave,” Mrs. Claus said with a big smile.

While Santa is busy getting ready for Christmas Mrs. Claus can be found in the kitchen cooking and baking for Santa and his helpers.

“I cook and bake cookies,” said Mrs. Clause. Santa says chocolate chip cookies are his favorite.

“I like the big ones, about the size of a plate,” said Santa as he held out his hands to demonstrate.

She also children should not forget the reindeer when they are heading to bed on Christmas Eve, saying the reindeer really enjoy carrots.

After Saturday’s Christmas parade Santa and Mrs. Claus will go back to the North Pole and finish preparing for Christmas. Santa said he wished he and Mrs. Claus could stay longer but there is still a lot to do before Christmas.

As for after Christmas, Santa and Mrs. Claus take a few weeks to relax after the Christmas rush.

“When I get home on Christmas day I rest for about a month, and then for the rest of the year I am preparing myself for the next year,” Santa Claus said. Santa and the elves start working on Christmas at the beginning of February.