Eric Drooker’s “A Seasonal Delivery”

As soon as December rolls around, children everywhere start keeping an eye out for the iconic red-and-white Santa outfit. And there is perhaps nothing that preoccupies their imaginations more than the logistics of a visit from Santa. For the cover of the December 16, 2024, issue, Eric Drooker turned to his early memories. “How will Santa get into the apartment?” Drooker recalled thinking as a child growing up in a seventh-floor New York City apartment with no chimney. “I hope he knows which elevator button to push.”