Santa Ready To Retire After Decades Of Spreading Cheer

TRACY (CBS13) – For more than two decades, Santa and Mrs. Claus have made special visits around Northern California and the money has all gone to children's charities, but this will be his last year.

"We got to make all the toys, get them ready for delivery, get the sleigh packed," Santa said.

The season is in full swing for Santa and Mrs. Claus making sure each girl and boy gets their wish this Christmas, especially for the those on the nice list.

"I'd like you to work on something for me, clean your room," he told a 9 year old boy from Stockton and of course he said, "ok!"

This Christmas marks 21 years of service to the community. Every visit the jolly couple makes raises a sleigh full of money, and has totaled to more than $300,000 over the years.

"Every single penny we've received has gone to a different children's charity each year," said Mrs. Claus.

But this Christmas Eve, Santa turns 70 years old and Mrs. Claus wants to make sure he's around forever, so it's time to say goodbye to those special visits and for him to keep an eye on the North Pole.

"It's time for Santa to get busy looking after his health and his belly is going to have to go," she said.

So if you're wondering what to leave Santa, Mrs. Claus said he's one a diet.

"For the last three years I've been saying celery and he says one cookie please," she said.

While he'll miss those homemade cookies, he said the children he has watched grow through the years will be his hardest to let go.

"I'm going to miss seeing the kids come up to me, smiling and laughing and anxious to talk to me to tell me what they want with the hopes of what I will bring," he said.

But not to worry, he'll be watching from the North Pole.

"There's a possibility I might show up when you least expect me," he added.

And if you're good, you can always expect a gift for Christmas.

The couple started a non-profit called Santa's Charities, Inc.

They'll continue to send letters to the North Pole for a fee of $5. That money will go towards a different charity annually.

Email Mrs. Claus to make it happen at mrsclaus(at)santascharities.org