Santa Can't Come to the Phone Right Now!

Santa is a busy guy this time of year – and he never gets Christmas off.

Have you seen all the parades and shopping malls he's visited? The jolly old elf has little time to rest, let alone answer every call and letter from children around the world.

So what's the busy bearded guy to do?

The answer: Voice mail!

Santa started up a hotline to ensure every kid has the opportunity to leave his or her wish list. Kids of all ages can call 951-262-3062 and leave Santa a message.

"This is Santa Claus and this is my personal hotline," Santa greets callers after a jolly "ho-ho-ho. "

A Long Beach, Calif.,-based company, FreeConferenceCall.com, established the hot line in 2009. The company provides businesses with a free way to host conference calls, and it appears even Santa can get stuck in a meeting.

The company's president told Gazettes.com how he got the idea to make Santa's job easier:

Dave Erickson, president of FreeConferenceCall.com, said the hotline was started because 2009 was the first year that the United States Postal Service may not have been able to fund letters to Santa Claus in care of the North Pole, Alaska, post office. Erickson wanted to ensure that children of all ages would have a safe and fun opportunity to convey their wishes to Santa in time for Christmas.

“The way that children connect with Santa is evolving and we are excited to help connect today’s next generation of communicators to Santa over the phone,” Erickson said.

Kids do leave some bizarre requests, though, according to the article, including one girl who asked for an FBI kit to arrest her Teddy Bear.

Still, everyone knows Santa doesn't just automatically deliver the goods on Christmas Day, and he gives fair warning to the kids.

"Remember, kids, I know who's been naughty and nice," Santa says on the voicemail message.

Santa might be too busy to return a call. But kids know one sure way to make sure he is listening. Just check under the tree Christmas morn.