Being Santa

Not many people actually get to don the traditional Santa suit. We have been among the lucky. We have all experienced a variety of Santas. Some are very sad, with beards that look like roadkill and suits that look like Santa slept in them. Then there are the elegant Santas with the rich red velvet trimmed in white fur and a REAL beard. The Coca-Cola Santas are the best. We all have Santa memories — our own and the memories of our children’s first visit to the jolly old elf.

The Big Guy and I had our moment — the opportunity to step into the magical red-and-white costumes and become Santa and Mrs. Claus. Big Guy is a natural. First, he is, well, a big guy. Second, he has the natural look of a Santa Claus. Years ago, The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island offered Santa tuck-ins to its guests. Families staying at the hotel could order up a visit from Santa at a predetermined time. We thought it would be fun, so we signed up. Big Guy as Santa and I as his faithful sidekick, Mrs. Claus, complete with my red velvet dress, crisp white apron, and cap. Dressed for duty, we were assigned different room numbers and a time to visit.

You can imagine the surprise when we knocked on the door of the child waiting for his Santa visit. Ready for bed in their pajamas, their eyes grew big as Santa listened to their list of what they hoped to get for Christmas. As anticipated, there were a variety of reactions from total fear to confidence in a chat with Santa. A wide variety of wishes were shared, and Santa confirmed that youngsters had been more nice than naughty. It was quite a surprise for the guests we met in the hallways between Tuck-in visits — a little unexpected holiday magic.

So, when did the Santa with kids on his lap originate? In 1841, thousands of children headed to a Philadelphia department store to see a life-size Santa. Other stores followed, and eventually a live Santa proved to be a great attraction for shoppers. The first person to dress as Santa was James Edar, who donned the famous Santa Claus suit in 1890 in his own store to attract youngsters. Parents soon wanted pictures of their children on Santa’s lap, and so the department stores offered Santa visits and photo opportunities.

Being Santa and Mrs. Claus is a special privilege. One must have empathy, patience, and a love of the Santa Claus tradition and all that goes with it. So pull up your Santa memories and share them with me, and I will share the best.

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