They say behind every jolly old elf, is an even jollier woman. Meet Mrs. Claus, the silent yet strong partner to Santa Claus, the celebrity known over the globe for his generosity on Christmas Day. What many don't know is, while Santa may be the face of the holiday season, Mrs. Claus is the behind-the-scenes mover and shaker who makes the day happen. Consider her the Chief Operating Officer of Christmas.  

"My heavens!" she exclaims, shaking her head and throwing her lacy white bonnet askew. "There's just so much on my "to do" list. Sometimes days I just want to chuck this darn BlackBerry into the Arctic Ocean and stay in bed." 

While Santa makes his list and checks it twice, Mrs. Claus bustles from one department to another on the Christmas Campus, which she calls home on the North Pole. On this day, she checks in on the Candy House, where elves busily paint red stripes on otherwise naked white candy canes. At the stables, she talks with the reindeer's physical trainer about Dasher's tendonitis and Rudolph's sinus infection. And then it's off to the toy factory, where she has an appointment with Barbie's seamstress over an issue about the length of this year's holiday dress. "It's a little too much leg, if you ask me," Mrs. Claus whispers behind a wrinkled hand. "Don't even get me started on the Bratz girls."  

While the pace is demanding, Mrs. C, as she is often called, takes it all in stride. A self-proclaimed type-A personality, she admits that she likes "the rush" that comes with the Christmas frenzy. "I mean, what other holiday can reduce a grown person to tears over the words "some assembly required," and then fill the heart with joy at the sound of Handel's "Messiah," she says."It's pretty powerful stuff."  

As each good little boy and girl opens their gifts on Christmas morning, Santa and Mrs. Claus opt not to exchange presents, but rather sleep in late and watch the "Star Wars" trilogy over Chinese takeout with their family of elves. "It's a rather bizarre little tradition, I know," Mrs. Claus says with a chuckle. "But it makes us happy. Isn't that what it's all about?"  

Family: Husband, Santa Claus, married several hundred years; children, too many of varying ages to name.   
  
Pets: Nine flying reindeer. 
 

Employment: Housewife, toy maker, baker, gift wrapping guru ... the list is rather extensive.  

How I met my husband: It was at a toy convention. I saw him across the crowded room. His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples ... well, you know the rest. Anyhoo, he had me at 'Ho, ho, ho.'

The best shortcut I take: When I'm in a pinch, I use Pillsbury Ready to Bake cookie dough. Even Santa can't tell the difference!" 

The books currently on my nightstand: "Martha Stewart Christmas," by Martha Stewart and "The Night Before Christmas," by Clement C. Moore. 

My ideal weekend:  One that runs smoothly. The snow blowers aren't on the fritz, the fruitcakes don't over-bake and no one has come down with the swine flu.

The music I prefer: I'll listen to just about anything, really. Just please spare me Bing Crosby's "Mele Kalikimaka" ... it's a little too catchy.  
  
Exercise of choice: Pilates. 

How I indulge:  I keep a pretty strict diet, but when the elves start making eggnog, I allow myself a nip out of each batch. I call it "quality control!"

A surprising fact about me: Most people would not guess that I'm a Scorpio.

 
Favorite TV shows: "Desperate Housewives." Now there are some women who deserve to be on Santa's naughty list.

The most influential people in my life: Milton Bradley, Madame Alexander and FAO Schwarz.

My family's favorite dish: Venison. Kidding! Actually, we're vegetarians.

What I always told my kids: Three things: You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout.   

(Photo Credit: iStockPhoto.com)