Taking a month off before the big night has been one of Santa’s many holiday traditions for years.

As the elves put in long hours constructing and assembling the thousands of toys for the Christmas season, Santa Claus says it is important for him to spend time away from the North Pole in order to be relaxed for his world tour on Christmas Eve.

This year Santa decided to bless Chenango County with his presence, saying he thinks the people here needed some extra Christmas spirit, following the weather conditions that may have dampened the holiday season.

While here resting, Santa got to enjoy the many sights and sounds of the county.

“I got to taste the treats, see the sights and meet the kind people I have heard so much about,” Santa said.

Along his way, he has gotten to play basketball, which he says is his favorite sport, go to local candy shops and bakeries and stop in to see the many merchants around the county.

Santa says the Chenango people have been kind and generous, and he has seen how residents have pitched in to make the holidays special for everyone in the county. Santa has brought along his gift list and says he wants everyone to know that up until midnight on Dec. 24, people can be added to his good list. “It is never too late to lend a helping hand or to do a good deed,” Claus said.