Clement Clarke Moore described old St Nick as a “Jolly old elf.” Most holiday greetings cards and maudlin Christmas movies and television specials continue this theme.

With his pudgy round face and friendly demeanor, nothing ever seems to get to Santa. Yet, given all the hassles the man in the red suit has had to deal with in recent years, I’ll bet he is nearing the end of his patience.
In fact, the latest development that will impact his Christmas eve visit may finally push Nick over the edge.

In previous centuries Santa could fly his reindeer-powered sleigh with few impediments. There was no restricted air space and no embarrassing patdowns by TSA personnel.

In recent years, a whole team of elves has had to be hired just to fill out the NAFTA paperwork to allow him to import items from the North Pole across the U.S.-Canadian border. This year he may also run into trouble at the U.S.-Mexico border, since the Mexican trucking regulations dispute is still unresolved.
Topping many of the lists that Santa receives from children is the request for a new puppy. Yet these wishes will go unfulfilled since Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) shut down the North Pole puppy breeding operation.
In fact there are a lot of items on those letters to Santa that will not be able to be put under the tree. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website lists more than 500 toys that have designated as hazardous.

But the thing that I believe will cause Santa to go postal is the loss of his special treat. Leaving a treat for Santa is a tradition in many homes. Yet, this year when Santa makes his appearance, he will likely find the table bare.
Nutritional naysayers and food safety zealots would have you believe that leaving sweet goodies out all night for Santa is not a good idea.

Christmas cookies and candies are on the nutritional “no no” list.

Children are being taught that entire food groups are “bad” foods. In fact, most holiday food items are over sweet, over fat and over eaten. Visions of sugar plums will have to stay visions because it is likely the new food safety rules will result in all the sugar plums being recalled.

If all this gives old St. Nick a stomach ache, he is still out of luck since Rolaids have been recalled.

So, if on Christmas Eve you hear a “bah, humbug” instead of a “ho ho ho,” you will know old St. Nick is losing his Christmas spirit.

So let’s all put the “good Yule” back into the holidays with lots of good food.
Let’s load up on Christmas cookies, cakes, pies, breads, egg nog, cheese and a variety of other food items that the food police say are bad for us but that make Christmas special. Holiday treats go best with family and friends - so enjoy plenty of each!

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Gary Truitt may write to him in care of this publication.