Santa Claus, also known as Patrick Farmer, at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska Wednesday Nov. 18, 2009, holds letters from children sent this year that the U.S. Postal Service says they will no longer deliver. Citing privacy concerns, postal officials say that generically addressed letters to "Santa Claus, North Pole" will no longer be forwarded to volunteers in the Alaska town as has been done for years.
A Santa Claus figure is illuminated for a light rehearsal on the main shopping street of Kurfuerstendamm in Berlin November 19, 2009. From next Tuesday Kurfuerstendamm will be illuminated with Christmas lights for the festive season.
A boy wears a mask while getting a gift from a man dressed as Santa Claus during a Christmas lighting ceremony inside a hotel in Taipei November 19, 2009.
Bandages cover the face of a 20-metre (66ft) tall statue of Santa Claus in downtown Auckland November 19, 2009. The 49-year-old statue, which is placed on the busy corner every year, has undergone a NZ$100,000 ($74,000) makeover which will be revealed on Sunday.
credit photo: Gettyimages