The holidays are right around the corner, and you want to throw a festive corporate event for your team and their families. Luckily, there are professional Christmas performers who can bring energy and fun to help you make it truly memorable. One of our favorite Santas, Santa True, has some fresh ideas and handy tips to help your event go gliding like a one-horse open sleigh—smoothly!
Some people may be nervous about booking a Santa Claus for a corporate event for fear of offending people of other religions. Generally speaking, Santa Claus and other Christmas performers have been such cultural icons in mass media that they perform worldwide and are often seen as secular characters. Your professional performer can provide a jolly non-denominational vibe to your celebration and greet your guests with “Happy Holidays”, “Merry Christmas”, or even “Happy Chanukah.”
(When you’re considering a professional Christmas performer, remember that you can hire Mrs. Claus, elves, and other holiday entertainers in addition to Santa Claus.)
👉 Read this post for more booking tips: How to Hire a Santa Claus for Your Holiday Event
Festive Activities for Your Santa
There are many fun and creative ways to incorporate Santa into your holiday corporate event.
🎅 Stage a “Big Entrance”
Your Santa could have a high-energy, fun call-and-response routine that gets folks cheering! He can also follow up with a meet-and-greet.
👋 Act as an event greeter
Although that’s not as fun as a Big Entrance, Santa can stand at the door and welcome guests.
📢 Lead the way as Master of Ceremonies
Santa can make announcements and keep the energy moving during the event.
📷 Participate in a photo booth
Let Santa goof around with guests in a photo booth or slow-motion video booth.
🎄 Stage photos on a Christmas set
You can provide props, a large Santa chair, and side seating for large groups for a photographer to set up photos. Don’t forget group photos for each company team!
🎁 Distribute gifts
Let Santa do what he does best and hand out holiday (or end-of-year) bonuses, gifts, and awards. Or he can help with gift exchanges and swaps by moving things along and keeping them fun!
🎤 Ho-ho-hosting duties
If you’re holding a holiday raffle or trivia contest, let the big man take the lead.
👩⚖️ Be a jolly judge
Holding a gingerbread house, ornament, or cookie decorating contest? Maybe your team competes in an Ugly Sweater contest? Santa can determine the winners.
🕺 Break the ice on the dance floor
No one gets folks out to boogie like Ol’ St. Nick! If you have a Mr. and Mrs. Claus, they can take the floor together for a very sweet moment.
🤳 Mix and mingle
Santa can make his way around the event and take “Elfies” (selfies with Santa) with your guests.
📹 Help with your season’s greetings
Don’t forget those who couldn’t make it to the festivities! Santa can record a video message for them or even participate in a video conference call for remote workers.
🎶 Lead a sing-a-long
Well-known holiday tunes are more fun when they’re sung with Kris Kringle! Or take it up a notch… karaoke with Santa, anyone?
📖 Storytime with Santa
CEO Santa can show off his raconteur skills with interesting stories about the history of Christmas and his adventures at North Pole Industries.
Think Outside the Box
While “Breakfast with Santa” is always a popular theme, your event could be even more unique! Try featuring unusual activities for your team, such as horseback riding, arcade games, bowling, or beach day.
Check with your venue to ensure there isn’t another Santa on the premises already. And if you host your corporate event in a public venue, your Santa will surely have some fans, so be prepared for some gawkers!
Things Your Santa Will Need to Know
Communication is the key to any successful event, so make sure your Santa has all the information he needs.
Your Event Theme and Schedule
Whether you are hosting a fancy gala or a folksy breakfast, your Santa may have various outfits or looks to complement your theme. Also, be sure to coordinate the schedule and the events if Santa will not be your only performer.
Activities Santa Will Lead or Host
If your event is large enough, you may need to assign an escort (or team of escorts) to assist Santa, like mascot handlers at amusement parks.
Age of Attendees
Will your event focus only on adults, or will your employees bring their children for a family event? If this event includes families, how many children and in what age ranges?
Extra Details
Does your corporate audience speak several languages? Are there handicap-accessible areas? Any sensitive subjects to avoid?
Details for Event Planners
When planning for your Santa appearance, there are several things you should keep in mind to ensure your holiday party goes smoothly.
Booking Your Santa
Before you book, look at your Santa’s photos, videos, and reviews from past events. Also, a professional Christmas performer should carry a current background check and performing insurance. Using GigSalad to book your Santa ensures you’re covered by our Worry-Free Guarantee in case something goes wrong.
Food and Drink
Be thoughtful about food and beverages in regard to Santa’s beard, white gloves, and special outfit. If there is barbecue sauce, cookie decorating, chocolate, colored punch, or pancakes with syrup, stock up on wet wipes and towels, so children do not accidentally smear Santa with things that can stain.
Please hand out sugary treats after the children see Santa. Furry and sticky are not a good combo (and that goes for glitter, too)! Typically, Santa does not eat publicly at an event, but a to-go plate of food may put someone on the Nice List.
Taking Care of the Guests
For adults-only events, if you serve alcohol, assign a team member to deal with any participants who have had too much to drink. Your Santa will not drink on the job and should not be pressured or asked to do so. And remember, performers are not babysitters. Always have two adults in the room with children for liability purposes.
Taking Care of Santa
Consider how and when Santa will arrive at your event. Have a nearby parking spot reserved for Santa, or arrange for him to park valet. Plan for your Santa’s entrance to be approximately 30 minutes after everyone has arrived or just after the end of the main course. Confirm before your event that your Santa has the proper address of your event location as well as the correct travel time to the venue.
Before the Event
Set up your tableau for Christmas photos! Be sure that it’s well air-conditioned and not against glass surfaces that could reflect flash photography. Provide a sturdy chair or bench that allows Santa to keep his feet flat on the floor.
If you have assigned photographers, they should frame both of Santa’s hands in the picture, ensure he is smiling, and check that his beard looks good and his suit is not rumpled. Santa can’t see if he needs to fix anything, so have the photographer help. Have a separate table where guests can place food, drinks, or coats. A nearby mirror is helpful for guests to ensure they are photo-ready.
🎅 Planning to have Santa stop by the house? Check out How to Have a Smooth Home Visit from Santa Claus for even more handy tips.
If you really enjoy your Christmas performer’s visit, please remember to send them a great review and give referrals. And when possible, send them any photos that can be shared. If you want them to return next year, book them immediately in January. Thank you for helping make Christmas magic possible! ❤️🤍
Are you looking for a Santa to drop by your office party this year? Find local professionals and book the best on GigSalad.
Please contact us for copyright information on reprinting or distributing this article.
Santa True has over 30+ years of storytelling experience and loves making folks smile with his singing, storytelling, and truly interactive style. As a Santa, he has done commercials, corporate events, photo shoots, parades, and countless home visits making him an expert in all things St. Nick!