What goes into being Santa Claus ?
In our field of work , we get a lot of individuals who unfortunately , to them , it ' s all about how much you ' re going to make . And yes , we have to have a fee because being this figure is not cheap .
It isn ’ t me or anybody who puts on , it ’ s what the suit represents . And because of that , I watch it very protectively how I portray him because I not only affect myself … I affect every man who puts this suit on all over the world . If something were to happen , it ’ s going to affect everybody who puts on the Santa Claus suit . That ’ s why I put a lot of pride into it . I focus on the details . The right boots cost $ 1,200 ; the right belt , $ 500 . My suit is red with golden thread . Those are the details that the kids are going to pick up on and they ’ ll be quick to notice if something isn ’ t right .
Where do you go ?
I do Santa wherever I ' m asked to appear for the most part . I go into homes and kids really enjoy it . They ' re at home with mom and dad , they ’ re at ease because it ' s their home . I also do a lot of photography studios . I want to be able to talk with the child . Some kids are uneasy . For some reason that big red suit makes everybody go “ Oh my God , it ' s him !” and they get scared . Then they don ' t want to talk , scream , and cry . I want to make that experience a little bit easier .
Do children mistake you for the real Santa Claus in public ?
You have to hold yourself to a higher standard . Have your hair a certain way , your shirt . Somewhere , wherever we may go , a child may look at me and say “ Mommy , I think that ' s Santa Claus .” So
it ’ s my responsibility to portray him . I ’ ll have a tan shirt , tan pants , and work boots . When I go out , I still look like him . I get tugged on by my pants at Home Depot and kids will whisper ' Are you Santa Claus ?'
I ’ ll say “ That ’ s a decision only you can make ” and give them a wink . I can tell you I represent the spirit of Santa and of Christmas . The child has to decide . I am not him , so I can ’ t say I am . But when I put on the suit , I am him . When I put on that suit , I am him . I am the image of that man so I have to take on him .
Do you remember visiting Santa as a child ?
My mom and dad raised six kids -- two boys , four girls -- in the 1950s . We couldn ' t afford much . One weekend , dad piled us into the car and we went to Santa Claus , Ind …. I remember standing in line and
42 November / December 2020