Of course some people would say that the widespread use of central heating means that the chance of there really being a big bloke delivering prezzies by climbing down the chimney is remote to say the least.
I, on the other hand, have been prepared to accept that the fact that Santa now has all his elves working at eBay and Amazon and the reindeer are pastured out for the winter. But I've always thought that Santa would probably be a bit weather-beaten, with port stains and mince pie crumbs giving him a permanently disheveled look. Mucking out the reindeer can't be that clean either.
It comes as a grave disappointment, therefore, to see his red coat and trousers in a parcel on their way to the cleaners in preparation for the staff party. Clearly I can't believe in Santa with a dry cleaned suit - bah humbug.
