How very obervant of you to notice the Australian stamps - for unlike your shire, Santa's is not in middle earth, but in Australia's own Shire of Christmas Island. But although notable for the variety and rarity of its native wildlife, I do not believe that Hobbits have ever been spotted there.

I cannot deny that my chief representative on earth is based within Her Britannic Majesty's realms, and indeed enjoyed the same "very special occasion" to which you refer less than a single month ago. But I assure you that the balloon has not been recycled from that celebration - it is brand new and totally unused! Is there a clue in that?

I see you have noticed the armed sentinel standing guard within your package. He is charged, on pain of his life, to ensure that your package remains inviolate until the day foretold for revelations.

The local elf may (or may not) be revealed in the fullness of time, but I can let you know that he/she/it is a Mudcatter.

Santa Clues xx