Santa Claus, Georgia celebrates Christmas with year-round holiday spirit

SANTA CLAUS, Ga. (WTOC) -With two days until Christmas, the town of Santa Claus is living up to its name, wrapping itself in holiday joy.

The holiday spirit lasts all year long in Santa Claus, but this time of year, that cheer shines even brighter.

“Because we are Santa Claus, we want everybody to feel like they’re at Santa Claus when they come,” said Sue Grisham, secretary of Santa Claus.

From Noel Street to City Hall at 25 December Drive, the town of Santa Claus takes Christmas cheer to a whole new level.

“All this is year-round,” said Donita Bowen, mayor of Santa Claus.

The town was founded in the 1930s by a local pecan farmer who gave it the name Santa Claus to attract travelers along U.S. Highway 1 to his business.

Today, just over 200 people call the town home. But visitors arrive year-round, prompting the town to add new decor each year.

“Our wanted posters for Kris Kringle and the Grinch, those are my new ones this year,” Bowen said.

One big draw for visitors from all over is special Santa Claus postage stamps.

“I have a bank that comes from Silver Springs, Florida that brings 250 every year,” Grisham said.

Visitors can also drop off their mail in a mailbox where letters are sent straight to Santa Claus.

“Santa picks up mail there so the children can put their letters in. And if he doesn’t come by, then I send them to him so he always gets the letters if you put them in Santa Claus,” Grisham said.

One of the town’s biggest attractions is a Christmas Eve tradition. Residents come together to line the streets with glowing luminaries.

On Christmas Eve, the town will shine with lights and joy.