What are kids asking for?

Woah! What an exciting few days.

Preparation for the holidays up here at the North Pole are in full swing. I can’t believe how busy this place is right now. They have me going from project to project faster than I can complete them. It’s all very stressful and exciting at the same time.

The North Pole mail room has been deluged with letters from children all around the world. My biggest project is interfacing the Christmas lists with the stock database back home at OpticsPlanet. That way they’ll know what to keep in stock for when Santa comes around on Christmas Eve.

So, what are kids asking for the most this year that relate to OpticsPlanet? You’d be surprised. Apparently science is back in this year. A lot of kids are asking for microscopes, telescopes and binoculars.

The best gift that OpticsPlanet has for the budding genetic engineer is the Meade 28 Piece Children’s Microscope Kit. It’s the perfect, inexpensive way to encourage your child’s interest without having to invest too much money in it.

As far as a telescope for the budding astronomer, your best bet is the Bushnell 3” Reflector. It’s the best entry level telescope and is available in a variety of kits to help an interested child get started with stargazing.

For the budding birdwatcher, I recommend the Tasco World Class 10x25 Waterproof Binoculars. They’re inexpensive and we have a special deal right now where they come with two radios. The ultimate boy gift. Perfect for bird watching and adventures with friends.

Well, Santa is calling and you don’t want to ignore the big guy!

Post-Thanksgiving Update

Hey folks!

Things are going great up here. Thanksgiving was pretty quiet for the most part. It's not a holiday up here like it is down south, but every one took it easy either way. I was able to make a long phone call home and check on my wife. She misses me terribly. She'll probably get mad at me for saying this but I've been too busy to miss her yet!

I got a tour of the mail department today and the Christmas lists are streaming in by the truckload. I don't know how they keep it all straight but they all do their jobs like pros. I noticed that they are using some pretty sophisticated computers to keep track of everything. I'll need to investigate how they manage their logistics so I can maybe use some of their knowledge when I go home.

I'm still working on interfacing Santa's GPS system. It should take me a few days. On top of that, OpticsPlanet, wants me to start feeding them Christmas list information as soon as possible. That way, they'll know what to stock and how much to keep in inventory. Monday will be OpticsPlanet's biggest shopping day. Brick and mortar retailers have Black Friday while online retailers have Black Monday (when everyone returns to work and shops online). It's going to be a very exciting time over the next couple days and I'll keep you up to date on all the latest happenings.

I've arrived

I've arrived at the North Pole. It took quite a bit of time to get up here. It was a long flight from Chicago to Edmonton, Canada, followed by another flight to Yellowknife in the north of Canada, followed by another flight to the North Pole. The planes got progressively smaller as my journey progressed. Later on, when I spoke to Santa for the first time, I joked that he could have just sent the sleigh to pick me up in Chicago. He didn't find it very funny.

I've been given my own little hut that's been kitted out for a normal sized human. I tower over everything here, except Santa. The hut is warm and cozy. It will be hard to remind myself that I'm here to work. No sooner did I get here, did the elves shove a huge project on my plate. I have a feeling they were just waiting for someone to show up and take it off their hands. They want me to update the GPS Software in all of Santa's equipment. I thought it was simple until they showed me they needed the GPS Devices updated across the globe where they have other distributors. It's going to be a time-consuming task. But that's why I'm here. The North Pole needed help with Marketing and Logistics, and OpticsPlanet is glad to help.

Thankfully, the North Pole has a great satellite internet uplink so I'm able to stay in contact with OpticsPlanet and my wife back home in Chicago.

I know you expect to hear about this, but it's really, really cold up here. Despite the fact that I'm wearing layers, I'm still cold all the time. But the fireplace in my hut is nice and warm.

Happy Thanksgiving to all those down south!

1 Day to Go!

I'm so excited about my upcoming trip that I have butterflies in my stomach. My bags are packed and, for the most part, I'm ready to go.

So, what did I end up bringing? Well, I have a list for you:

• A week's change of clothes (I've been assured that the Elf Dry-Cleaning service is top-notch so I don't need to bring a whole closet).
• Laptop
• iPhone
• Digital Camera (I want some pictures of the Auroura Borealis, Santa's Rep told me photography will not be allowed of the actual North Pole Complex)
• Some Books
• GPS Device - Garmin Geko 201 - In case I get lost out on the ice.
• Telescope - Not going to pass up the crystal clear night sk. For those interested, I'm bringing a Meade 4.5" Telestar Newtonian Reflector. It's relatively portable and has a computer (I'm not very good at finding things in the night sky)
• Binoculars - Bushnell 16x32 Powerview - Should be great for observing polar bears from a SAFE distance.
• Picture of my Lovely Wife
• Really Warm Parka - Our sister store - TacticalStore was kind enough to provide me with a 5.11 Tactical Aggressor Parka. Sure to be plenty warm. If it's good enough for the military, it's good enough for me.
• Lots of Sweaters
• Snow Shoes
• Warm wool socks

I'm sure I'm forgetting something. I've got to get plenty of sleep tonight. My first flight leaves at 4:00 A.M. and then I have four more after that. It's going to be a long day. I'll be back online Wedneday when I get up there.

North Pole here I come!

Four Days to Go

I'm a little disappointed that I have to miss Thanksgiving this year. And believe me, my wife is REALLY disappointed. Although disappointed isn't quite the word I would choose...

I've got to be up at the North Pole for the day after Thanksgiving. Black Friday is going to be a huge day for OpticsPlanet as well as the North Pole. Not only will we be flooded with orders but Thanksgiving also marks the beginning of the Christmas list writing season. Oh sure, most kids already have a list by now, ready with triplicate copies. But Black Friday is the first day that parents actually ask to see it and they get mailed to the North Pole. I've got some software programs that the team wrote to help the North Pole manage all the incoming wishlists. After next weekend, they're gonna need it.

Black Friday is going to be a big day, but Black Monday is going to be even bigger, at least for OpticsPlanet. People return to work after the holiday weekend and the first thing they do is shop. So, I've gotta be up at the North Pole to make sure all the orders are processed correctly on both ends. Which means I'll have a working holiday this year.

I don't mind. I take comfort in the fact that doing my job well will result in joy and happiness all over the world. Now, if I could just convince my wife that's a good thing, I'll have a smooth journey.

Preparing for Trip

It's not an easy proposition getting to the North Pole. I have like four connecting flights scheduled to get me there. I sincerely hope that they all run on time or I might find myself stranded somewhere in the Great White North!

How does one prepare for a trip to the North Pole? Well, frankly I don't know. I assume I should pack lots of warm clothes. I'll, of course, need to pack my laptop. I will have lots of work to do and will need to stay in contact with the bosses back home. I'm also bringing my trusty iPhone. I hope the North Pole has a cell tower! I'm also taking some books I've been waiting to read. I'll need something to keep me occupied on those long cold, North Pole nights.

I don't quite know what to expect when I get up there. I've been watching a lot of Christmas movies lately to prepare myself. But what do these Hollywood people really know what the North Pole is like? I think my favorite iteration of the North Pole is the one in 'Santa Clause' with Tim Allen. I hope it's like that. And I can't wait to meet an Elf!

Operation:Gift is now Live!

Hi everyone! Welcome to Operation: Gift. I'm Hugh Ceratto. I’ve been sent by my employer, OpticsPlanet, to coordinate the holiday season with the North Pole, one of our biggest distribution partners. I’ll be acting as a liaison between OpticsPlanet and the North Pole for Christmas. Even Santa needs logistical help sometimes.

I like to think that I'm a nice, easy going guy that likes to work in changing situations. I'm married but I have no problem with traveling the globe for work, much to the annoyance of my lovely wife. My stint at the North Pole will be the longest time away from my wife since we met, so it's going to have a tough time ahead.

But it should also be fun and enlightening. I head up to the North Pole next week to begin helping Santa prepare for Christmas and the Post-Thanksgiving rush. Santa is a huge customer for OpticsPlanet and I will be looking forward to showing him the latest products we offer as well as providing him the world class service were known to provide to our other customers and vendors. Santa will see the OpticsPlanet difference.