The way Miller explains it to children when he's on duty as FC is to say he's Santa Claus' grandfather. That seems to satisfy the young'uns. He tells them he leaves the reindeer/sleigh/presents scenario to his grandson. That's not to say he isn't besieged by gift requests anyway.

People also sit on his knee. Sometimes these people are large people, like adults or pregnant women. In those cases he indicates an empty chair next to him. And sometimes he's approached inappropriately. But perhaps the setting, a winery, brings that on as guests sip the bubbly.

For 16 years, Mirassou has enlisted Miller—er, Father Christmas—to attend their holiday party the Saturday and Sunday after Thanksgiving. There he directs the entertainment and people have their pictures taken with him. Wife Fran is also part of the action: she's "Mother Christmas."

This year, however, Mirassou and Miller have parted ways. The Millers still enliven the Saratoga History Museum during the Holiday Open House, but that may be one of their few gigs this season. Which suits them, because at 450 years of age, it's probably time to slow down. Even this Father Christmas will turn 80 this year, Miller reveals.

Don is a retired IBM manager and a retired consultant who would advise companies how to help their employees meet the demands of a fast-changing technology workplace. Miller was also board chairman of Hakone Gardens when the cultural exchange center was built.

These days he's active in the Sons of the American Revolution and genealogy in general. Fran is a violin teacher—not retired. The two started the Father/Mother Christmas routine when VITA (Valley Institute of Theater Arts) was alive. The costumed Millers handed out candy at VITA's Christmas show.

Then they were asked to perform elsewhere. Don has worn out two red robes in the role (not authentic, because traditionally Father Christmas is cloaked in a green costume, but his fans wanted red, so he obliged). Fran is the costume design creator.

One family, regulars at the Mirassou party, kept an album of pictures taken with Father Christmas over the years, beginning with the young mother's first pregnancy, a fact that pleases the genealogy-inclined Miller.

SANTA CLAUS: In Santa Claus news, Ken Gortz took over the role from Ed Porter this year at the Rotary Club Breakfast with Santa held for Washington School 5- and 6-year-olds. Porter was at the tail end of fighting off a bug and didn't think he should be that up close and personal, though he did help out in the background, along with 30 other Rotarians. Meanwhile, he gave some tips to the new Santa, which he wouldn't divulge, leaving us to guess what tricks may be up the old gentleman's fuzzy sleeve.

Porter is no newcomer to the Santa number. He regularly dons the gear for a school in Hillsborough and for the Peninsula Oral School for the Deaf in Menlo Park, in addition to the Rotary breakfast. Any incidents stand out over the years? He recalled one from his stint in the wealthy community of Hillsborough:

One year a 5-year-old said to him, "Santa, I don't need anything myself, but would you please bring our maid a BMW?" And I was expecting something heart-wrenching.

At the breakfast with Santa, the community service committee members were most in evidence: Larry Hester is 2002 chairman, and others are Jit Kapur, George Newton, John Fraker, Pat Christensen, Dave Eshelman, Jim Weldon, Gordon Case, Jitka Cymbal, John Tauchi, Tom Stoiber and Jim LeBlanc.

Don Perez has the title of honorary chairman because he's been chairman for years but this year suffered a stroke.

LETTERS TO SANTA: Over at the Chamber, the elves (Kristin Davis and Carmel Scott) have put together a holiday book with recipes from Chamber members and staff titled All I Want for Christmas Is ... The artwork is courtesy of children's drawings from the letters-to-Santa campaign the Chamber conducts. So well-known is the practice that the post office delivers to the Chamber office even if the letter just says Santa.

Besides the artwork are quotes from youngsters' letters. Herewith a letter sampling:

"My name is Amanda and I was wondering if you could just get me a puppy. I know it's a lot but I really want one. I know my parents said no already but can you just try?!?" "Dear Santa, I have been good, but not every day ... Please wake me up because I never see you." "I do not mind if the presents I ask for are not what I get, but please send some of the presents, like teddy bears, to kids who don't have presents."

Some half-dozen volunteers answer the letters.

Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to maryanncook@earthlink.net.