TOP STORY OF THE DAY, brought to you free by WICU: ‘Jingles’, the Junior-junior class elf: Local youngster takes his job very seriously

Ivy Jacobs photo - Jingles (pictured in center in 2019, along with Ron Catt of the Clay City V.F.W.) has been helping Santa spread holiday cheer for a few years.

Clay County has a special connection to Christmas: Santa Claus has a junior-junior Elf “Jingles” stationed in the area bringing holiday cheer for the past five years.

With the COVID-19 pandemic dampening many people’s lives, Nash Tutterow is taking his assignment this year very seriously.

Six-year-old Nash won’t discuss the specific details about working with the Jolly Old Elf but did say he sees Santa and receives communication throughout the year from his elf supervisor. In late November, a letter asked Jingles to don his elf uniform in 2020 and “find a way to share Christmas cheer with people.”

Ivy Jacobs photo - Jingles (a junior-junior class elf) has a special relationship with Santa.

“I haven’t seen Santa very much this year,” said Nash, who admits the social distancing for COVID-19 made it hard to keep in touch with the North Pole. “I hope to see him soon, though.”

How to spread holiday cheer during a pandemic required some help from Nash’s mother, Brandi Tutterow. The two came up with the idea of doing “Ding, Dong, Ditch.”

Brandi and Nash, with some help from dad Tyler, created some special home-made treats for people on the “nice list.” With Brandi driving, Jingles would deliver unique gifts to their home, ring the doorbell, and quickly run away.

Ivy Jacobs photo - Nash loves Santa Claus and takes every opportunity to meet him throughout the year, including during the 2018 Christmas in July motorcycle ride fundraiser to support the Brazil Police Department’s Shop-With-A-Cop program. A similar photo taken at this event was used to create official shirts for the upcoming fundraiser in 2019.

The duo has delivered packages to 37 local homes since December 6 with more planned before Christmas. Photos are posted online showing people the fun they have had, and Nash hopes others will get in the holiday spirit and begin doing the same.

Nash’s Elf on a Shelf “Chippey” went along during the recent deliveries, traveling safely in a jar filled with marshmallows for cushion and to protect his magic.

“He can be naughty,” said Nash about his mischievous helper Chippey. In Nash’s capacity as Jingles, he proffers advice about the upcoming holiday. “You got to be good to be on the NICE list and get presents from Santa. Doing good things is easy because you can do what you want for others when you have time.”

Submitted photos - Assigned to spread some holiday cheer this Christmas during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nash and his mother came up with the idea of “Ding, Dong, Ditch.” Special homemade treats are packaged, and dropped at the front door of area homes, the doorbell is rang, and Jingles runs back to the car to watch as they receive a special gift for the holidays.

Becoming one of Santa’s elves

Five years ago, Nash was celebrating Christmas at his grandparents when he answered the door and met Santa for the first time. Nash’s love of Christmas and holiday spirit, along with his generous heart, caught Santa’s attention. The two became friends, and in 2016 Nash became a “special elf” in charge of making sure he had treats during his local appearances during the holidays.

“Santa likes all cookies and milk,” said Nash, who quickly took over making sure the reindeer had their favorites too. “They like carrots.”

Submitted photos - Assigned to spread some holiday cheer this Christmas during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nash and his mother came up with the idea of “Ding, Dong, Ditch.” Special homemade treats are packaged, and dropped at the front door of area homes, the doorbell is rang, and Jingles runs back to the car to watch as they receive a special gift for the holidays.

Nash delivers carrots at a TOP SECRET location at least once during the year, and he leaves Santa some oatmeal raisin cookies. Santa’s favorite, according to Nash.

Nash enjoys being Jingles, admitting to feeling “butterflies of happiness” when he rings the doorbell and runs back to the car after doing a “Ding, Dong, Ditch.”

In 2019, Nash was promoted to junior-junior Elf, appearing at several of Santa’s local appearances during the holidays. Jingles rode along with Santa on a horse-drawn wagon on December 14 to the Clay City Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6606 to visit with children. He likes helping Santa, passing out treats to children visiting Santa.

Submitted - One of Jingles' special "care packages."

Experiencing the joy of the season on the faces of the hundreds of children he has visited over the years, Santa admits Nash’s love of Christmas caught his attention immediately. Nash is also able to keep Santa’s identity a secret.

“Nash wasn’t scared of me at all,” said Santa about their unique relationship. “He just warmed my heart. So I made him special elf ‘Jingles,’ and now he’s a junior-junior Elf. Doing an excellent job of it too.”

Jingles’ work during the COVID-19 pandemic is inspiring, said Santa.

Submitted photo - Junior-junior Elf Jingles and “Chippey”, his Elf on a shelf, are pictured with various holiday gift packages delivered to people in the area.

“Nash was supposed to arrive on Christmas Eve, but was born before Thanksgiving,” said Brandi, who believes her son carries the spirit of Christmas in his heart throughout the year. “We are very proud of our little elf.”