A Holiday Tradition: David Sedaris Reads 'Santaland Diaries' Writer David Sedaris is back as Crumpet the department store elf who finds little joy in the holidays. He first read from his "Santaland Diaries" on Morning Edition in 1992.

A Holiday Tradition: David Sedaris Reads 'Santaland Diaries'

A Holiday Tradition: David Sedaris Reads 'Santaland Diaries'

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An elf with snow and trees
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Think you're stressed out during the holidays? Try being one of Santa's helpers.

Turns out being surrounded by children, tinsel and merriment isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Humorist David Sedaris wrote about the downside of holiday joy in a collection of fanciful stories based on his experiences called the Santaland Diaries. Once again, here's Sedaris reading from his essay as a somewhat-flawed Macy's department store elf named Crumpet.

Click the play button to hear this holiday tradition.