Mailman Special Delivery "S.D." Kluger is introduced after a newsreel prologue, telling the viewer how children around the world are preparing for the arrival of Santa Claus. When his snowmobile/mail truck breaks down, he tells the story of Santa Claus, answering the children's letters to Santa.
The story begins in the gloomy city of Sombertown, ruled by the ill-tempered Burgermeister Meisterburger. A baby arrives on his doorstep with a name tag reading "Claus" and note requesting that the Burgermeister raise the child. He then orders his lawkeeper Grimsby to take the baby to the "Orphan Asylum." On the way there, a gust of wind blows both sled and baby to the mountain of the Whispering Winds, where the animals hide him from the Winter Warlock and convey him to an Elvish family by the name of Kringle. Led by Tanta Kringle, the elf queen, they adopt the baby and name him “Kris.” A few years later, Kris hopes to restore the Kringle family as "The First Toymakers to the King."
When Kris is old enough, he volunteers to deliver the elves' toys to Sombertown. Meanwhile, the Burgermeister has banned all toys in the town, and declares that anyone found possessing a toy will be arrested. On his way to Sombertown, Kris meets a lost penguin whom he names Topper. In the town, he offers toys to two children washing their stockings by a water fountain. He is stopped by Miss Jessica, their lovely school teacher; but she softens toward Kris when he offers her a china doll as a "peace offering." As Kris gives more toys, the Burgermeister arrives, and Kris gives him a yo-yo. The Burgermeister at first happily plays with it; but when Grimsby reminds him of breaking his own law, the Burgermeister orders Kris' capture.
As Kris and Topper return to the Kringles, the Winter Warlock captures them; but when Kris gives him a toy train as a present, the Warlock befriends Kris. To repay him, he re-unites Kris with Jessica, who informs him that the Burgermeister has destroyed all the toys and the children now request new ones. When the Burgermeister hears that Kris means to bring more toys, he orders all doors to be locked, before their houses are searched; but Kris enters by the chimneys, and the children hang their stockings by the fireplace to conceal the toys therein.
Thereafter the Burgermeister sets a trap for Kris as he makes another delivery, and thus captures the Kringles, Topper, and Winter. Jessica pleads with the Burgermeister to release her friends, but he refuses, and Jessica requests Winter Warlock to break everyone out; but Winter refuses, on grounds of having little magic except some feed corn enabling reindeer to fly. With the reindeer's help, the Kringles, Kris, Topper, and Winter escape. After months as an outlaw and discovery that their home was destroyed by the Burgermeister's guards, Kris returns to the woods, where he grows a beard as a disguise. After Tanta suggests that he return to his birth name of "Claus" for safety, Kris marries Jessica. After the ceremony, the group travels to the North Pole to build their own castle and workshop. As the years pass and Kris and Jessica grow older, Kris travels only at night to evade the Burgermiester's enforcers, until the laws against him are abolished following the Burgermiester’s passing and Kris' legend goes worldwide. Having become Santa Claus, he is unable to fulfill all the toy requests throughout the year, and reserves his efforts for Christmas Eve.
At the end, S.D. Kluger suddenly realizes that it's getting late and remembers that he still has to deliver letters to Santa and leaves in his newly-repaired truck for the North Pole during the credits. Santa steps out of his castle and waves to the viewers.
The winter series theme this year involves characters from the classic Rankin/Bass Stop-Motion animation TV Specials that first aired in the 60's, 70's, and early 80's.
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To celebrate this year's hides, there is a bonus (final) cache so make sure and collect coordinates at each of the qualifiers to find the final, Bumble.
Also listed at each hide is a keyword to keep track of for a special ten year prize. Once you have them all, enter them here: Google Form
If unfamiliar with Google Forms, please contact us via email, cold.cache.crew@gmail.com for further instructions.
There are a limited number of prizes. Entries will be accepted through April 15th or while supplies last.
2021 Winter Series - "Cold Characters" caches