Continuity mistake: In the scene where Kris and Susan are in Susan's bedroom talking about Christmas presents, the pillow behind Susan has a flowery border on the right. When Susan climbs out of bed to fetch her picture, the border is on the left. When she gets back in, the border switches back from left to right. (00:44:15)
Continuity mistake: When the drunk Santa is talking with Mr. Duff in the bar, he puts his Santa hat down on the table. Two shots later, the hat is gone. It returns towards the end of the scene.
Continuity mistake: Susan's bang is significantly above her eyebrows when she watches the parade at Bryan's house. That same evening during Thanksgiving dinner, it touches her eyebrows.
Answer: The original Dutch girl was a World War II orphan. That wouldn't make sense in the newer remake. And why wouldn't a Santa know sign language? It would seem more common than Dutch.