If you are in Attard this year and don’t receive any gifts, you can probably blame it on Maltese authorities (or your own bad behaviour throughout 2022).

In a story right out of the Grinch’s recipe book, Santa Claus’ sled was confiscated by Transport Malta (TM) officials for not being in line with road safety guidelines.

Though custom-made Santa sleds can be seen in several localities, from Mqabba to Mtarfa, during the Christmas season, the Attard edition – which features a souped-up sled with reindeers – was not up to TM’s standards.

The sled is part of an annual Christmas tradition that is organised by an Attard każin.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)

Lovin Malta is informed that the sled lacked proper road insurance and permits, leading to be a major risk on the roads – as fun as it may be for children and families. 

However, some Attard residents were left disappointed that the annual sled – beloved by the locale’s kids – had been confiscated.

“My grandchildren are going to be so disappointed,” she told Lovin Malta after finding out about the confiscation.

With just days to go before Christmas and the sled currently locked up in TM’s Lija compound, one must wonder what Santa’s elves are gonna come up with to free Santa’s iconic sled.