91 Comments

I am trying to get my character “Hanukkah Herschel” approved for a spot at Macy’s this holidays season. Complain to me and I’ll give you a jelly donut!

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This sounds like a Festivus Airing of Grievances... ;)

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Good luck with that Mr. Clemenstein!

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I would love to complain to Hanukkah Herschel at Macy's.

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Thanks for showcasing my NYC tattoos this week! If anyone else has a pigeon tattoo, I propose we all meet up at the giant pigeon on the High Line. We fly at dawn!

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What a great idea Eden. That makes me (almost) want to get a pigeon tattoo!

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Oh my god these are great! I know what everyone is my circle is getting for xmas now, T-POP!

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Yay!

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Dern earliest shipping arrival is December 30. Next year!

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BOO

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Your tats are gorg! So well done!

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Hi Anne,

Thank you so much for brightening our lives with your writing, interviewing, good humor, patience, and love.

I am sure I speak for many (all) of us when I wish you a happy and healthy holiday season.

Enjoy your time off - well earned.

See you next year.

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Thank YOU for all your kind words and fun comments all year, mordy. Happy holidays!

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Naughty vs nice New Yorkers? Should be a song... hang on there is one already, Fairytale of New York. I love these two, almost thought they were a couple for real. Most of all I love Mrs Claus outfit. Very vintage and classic. What do they do the rest of the year?

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Such a great song, SE!

Glen is an actor and clown who also runs clown school.

Ann was an activity director at a NYC senior center for a long time but she left and is temping as an office coordinator in Midtown.

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I don’t particularly like clowns. He doesn’t strike me as the clown type either.

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Thank you so much! What do I DO the rest of the year? Let me ponder. Nice to hear from you, Writer Pilgrim.

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Oh my it's Mrs Santa! I can't believe it. No obligation to respond as I often ask myself that question. Last time, I asked today. What do I do and what did I do today? I got a few poems down and I did some reading. I also did an endless to do list in my head and though of which Christmas decorations to get out. It's great to hear from you too Ann! You shine a bright light and it was uplifting reading this piece by Anne. Ann and Anne! Thank you both!

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Ann and Anne are names that bring delight. Thanks again. And it is indeed Mrs. C.!

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Certainly, Mrs C!

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This was so sweet, charming and hilarious. I’m pissed that you only got $15 per hour and Santa got $100. I call elf discrimination.

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Ms. Votaw is waging a whole pay equity campaign, CK!

https://www.mrsclausnyc.com/blog/2024/10/11/becoming-a-feminist

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That’s fab.

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What a lovely interview for the season! Thank you, Anne! That actually put me in the Christmas spirit, which for some reason has taken longer than usual this year. It warms my heart that we still have people like Glen and Ann bringing joy to so many people. I wish them the happiest of holidays, and hope that you also have a delightful, delicious and dazzling Christmas and holiday season! You bring laughter and light every Monday, and that's a wonderful gift to us all!

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I'm so happy to hear the interview put you in the Christmas spirit, Jill. Glen and Ann are the real deal, for sure.

Thanks for your kind wishes, and kind words. Wishing you a lovely holiday season as well!

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"Peacocking Santas!" 🦚🦚🦚🎅🏻🎅🏻🎅🏻

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Ho ho ho! Personally I'm a big fan of peacocking anyone because it is fun. But then I don't have to work with them.

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What does it mean? I’m not familiar with the term

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Lucy, Ann and Glen talk about this in the interview—its basically showing off and shoving others aside in the process.

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Yes! Huge issue!

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Love your Cafe Anne Substack…..I think it’s my favorite of them all! Happy Holidays to you! Looking forward to more of your wonderful stories in 2025. 💚❤️💚

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Aww thank you Candace, that means a lot! Happy holidays to you!

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Happy Holiday Ann. A nice seasonal end to 2024 for the Cafe. Fun to contemplate and visualize what a "peacocking" Santa or any character for that matter is like.

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Happy Holidays Mr. Dolan! Thanks for all the fun comments, weird insights, strange connections and random info all year!

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Thank you. You've reduced my inputs to two short sentences. You get the award for word economy. See ya next year.

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"I like working with Santas. But you know, sometimes they're just insufferable."

Best thing I've read all week. Thanks for another charming interview, Anne.

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Awww thank you Drew! Happy holidays!

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Cool, fascinating tattoos!! And OMG re Santa culture in America! You’ve found a couple of lovely souls, but sounds like some very OTT setups. I’m glad that they’re choosing their gigs more carefully. Lovely people.

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Oh! And have a wonderful break!! Thanks for all the joy and intrigue you’ve given me this year. Such a pleasure. Hugs dear Anne. All the best for the year ahead.

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Thank YOU Beth, for all your support and fun comments all year from the other side of the globe. Happy holidays!

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I loved hanging out with Santa and Mrs. Claus (vicariously). What interesting people they are.

I have a dear friend who is Santa each year and this inspired me to ask him if he would like a Mrs. Claus to be with him. 🎄Let’s get this show on the road!

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Oh wow Charlotte I hope your friend says yes! If you have a turn at Mrs. Claus you'll have to report back.

Happy holidays!

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I would love that!

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This was so much fun, Anne. The peacocking Santas killed me. I shouldn’t have been surprised that some people get waaaaay too into the role. And thank you for asking my question about the urination situation. I think it’s something all aspiring Clauses should consider before pursuing this line of work. BYOL (bring your own Lysol).

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BYOL for sure, Chris!

Thanks for the great question.

Happy holidays!

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Happy holidays to you too!

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I had no idea that Santa and Mrs. Claus have such hard jobs. Or, that they're so delightful -- thank you, Anne! And have a fabulous Christmas vacation, I hope he'll bring you lots of presents after this positive write-up! See you next year!

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Jessica I didn't think about it but yes, I suppose I have an "in" with Santa this year. So maybe I will get the six extra set of my uniform I have on my wish list?

Merry Christmas and happy New Year!

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😂😍😂

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I thought fridge magnets were a great way to commemorate my travels, but Eden really upped the ante! I'm putting a bottle of Trionics 50 on my Christmas wish list this year.

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So funny Rob!

Trionics 50 ain't cheap! (though I sort of imagine you are like me and Googled it already so you already know this).

Happy holidays to you!

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Oh Anne. I love your newsletter the most of all the dozens of Substacks I read, but today's newsletter is just your BEST, and I do not say that lightly. Wishing you a dozen bagels and two pounds of perfectly cut sable from Russ and Daughters and the happiest Christmas and merriest of all New Year's!

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Therry wow that is a huge compliment. Thank you!

Would you believe the bagels/sables from R&D arrived this morning and I ate them all in one breakfast! (Well, Minnie got one of the dozen because she was making supreme roundy eyes at me.)

Merry Christmas Happy New Year to you!

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