by Sienna from Phoenix asks Santa about zoo lights, learns about the Sonoran Desert, and hears about the farolitos luminaria tradition in Arizona
Dear Santa, my name is Sienna and I am nine years old. I live in Phoenix, Arizona, where my abuela says our Christmas Day is sometimes warm enough that people wear shorts while opening presents outside.
Dear Sienna, I have delivered gifts to plenty of shorts-wearing Christmas mornings in Arizona, and I have made peace with the lighter suit I pack specifically for your state.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, do you like Christmas zoo lights? Our whole family goes every December to see the animals and the light displays together, and it is my favorite night of the whole season.
I love zoo lights, Sienna, and Phoenix puts on a particularly wonderful display. Seeing animals wander calmly beneath glowing lights is one of my favorite unusual sights on the entire route.
My second question is about our desert. My teacher says the Sonoran Desert is home to a cactus that only grows in a few places on Earth. Is that true?
It is, Sienna. The saguaro cactus, one of the most recognizable symbols of the Sonoran Desert, grows almost exclusively in this specific region, some living well over a hundred years. Flying over that spiky, moonlit desert landscape each Christmas Eve is one of the more unusual, beautiful parts of my American route.
My third question is about farolitos. My abuela lines our walkway with small paper bags holding lit candles every Christmas Eve. Why do we do that instead of regular string lights?
Farolitos, small paper lanterns weighted with sand and lit with a candle inside, are a cherished tradition across parts of the American Southwest, Sienna, reflecting deep Hispanic heritage and meant to symbolically light the way for travelers on Christmas Eve. It is one of the gentlest, most beautiful kinds of Christmas lighting I fly over all season.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Sienna Ramírez
Phoenix, Arizona
P.S. Do the farolitos help guide your sleigh in too?
Every year, Sienna. They make for wonderfully gentle landing lights.
