Santa Claus shares holiday cheer on Christmas Eve with WWAY News

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — It’s Christmas Eve, and the man of the hour, Santa Claus, made a surprise stop at WWAY News to chat with the Good Morning Carolina team ahead of his busiest night of the year.

“Today’s a busy day,” Santa said. “Even the reindeer feel the stress. Dasher gets the zoomies sometimes, but they’re ready. They’re on the go.”

Santa shared some behind-the-scenes details about preparing for his worldwide journey. Along with keeping his reindeer fueled up with magic, he noted that Rudolph is always on standby in case of fog or rain. And while the weather looks good in the Cape Fear area, Santa acknowledged that other regions might present some challenges.

When asked how he manages to eat all the cookies left out for him, Santa revealed his secret: “Santa’s got a special body. Has to absorb all that sugar.” And if you’re wondering about his favorite cookie, the answer is snickerdoodles!

Santa also gave a glimpse into how Mrs. Claus helps him prepare for the big night, saying she always has everything ready, including some tea to help him relax before the long trip.

During the interview, Santa was asked to evaluate whether members of the WWAY News team made the naughty or nice list this year. His playful assessments kept the newsroom entertained:

• Meteorologist Matthew Huddleston’s spot on the nice list “depends on the forecast,” Santa joked, adding, “If he can get us through the rain today, he can stay on the list.”
• Morning anchor Tomika Jackson earned high praise. “Anytime she’s wearing red, that’s going to get her on the list,” Santa said, pointing out her radiant smile.
• Evening anchor Jeff Rivenbark received a more cautious review: “A little crafty, a little shifty. We have to watch out for him.”
• Evening anchor Jessica Keisling got a nod for her holiday spirit. “She knows the game. She knows how it’s played,” Santa said, noting her choice of red attire.
• Chief Meteorologist Lee Haywood was deemed “so good” for his leadership on the weather team.

Reflecting on his favorite part of the season, Santa said, “I think it’s the excitement of the season—the joy and the happiness. When you see kids, their eyes wide and just excited, the apprehension of what’s going to happen… we hope it’s good and lives up to expectations.”

As Santa prepares to embark on his journey, he had one final message for the community: “Merry Christmas, everybody!”

Santa’s visit brought a dose of holiday cheer to the WWAY newsroom and served as a reminder of the magic and joy of the season.