Kris & Holly

Kris & Holly offer many different experiences we know you'll love.

As Santa & Mrs. Claus, you can opt for a quick 20 minute home visit with the traditional photos, interaction with children, and unforgettable memories you'd expect from best-in-class Christmas performers. If you opt for an hour visit, however, the magic literally happens as Mrs. Claus (a professional magician through the year) shares a few tricks from the elves while Santa tells original stories and can make your children honorary Christmas elves! We also offer programs for day care centers, libraries, municipalities and corporate events.

If you'd like a family friendly magical performance, then Holly Gander is among the best in Delaware. WIth 30 years of experience mystifying and delighting, you'll get an amazing Kris & Holly show. Classic tricks, puppets, balloons, songs, and so much more will make your party or event unforgettable.

Holly is also a best-in-class balloon artist. Her sculptures have been a major feature at some of Delaware's best festivals like Rehoboth's Sea Witch, Harrington Heritage Days, Dover Days, Rock Hall's Fall Fest, and hopefully your next party or event. Or combine Holly's magic and balloon shows into a two hour extra special performance for your child's birthday party.

We have educational programs as well which offer comprehensive reviews of Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss (with many more programs becoming available soon). All of the skills described above are incorporated into a full 45 min-1hr show that will be an ideal fit for any school or library schedule.

And last but certainly not least, you can hire Delaware's legendary Snippy Doodles the Clown, whose 30 years as a First State standard can bring the fun, magic, and so many rubber chickens to your next special event. She's joyous, quick witted, and plays a kazookelele with the best of them.

Kris & Holly began when Michael Sheinbaum decided in 2018 to expand beyond his successful 10 years as a real-bearded Santa and entertain children throughout the year. To begin that journey, he decided to interview local entertainers who walked the walk. His first interview that December was with Renate McIntosh, whose Snippy Doodles and other characters had made her a legend in Delaware for 30 years. They had great chemistry and hoped that they would have the chance to perform together.

That chance happened a month later during a rare January Santa event. An 18-year old with severe physical challenges and a deep love for Christmas had to have a medically induced coma that December. She came out of the coma a month later. However, the Santa who normally visited her was unavailable. He asked for volunteers and Michael took the assignment. Remembering that Renate was a great Mrs. Claus, he asked her to join him. Together, they made that girl's belated Christmas unforgettable. And they realized that their journey was best travelled together. Love and gigs soon followed, and they were married in June 2020.

As Kris & Holly, they could perform as the Clauses in the winter. They found great success spreading joy at the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in North Carolina, in Cape May, NJ's Congress Hall for their Breakfast with Santa event, and a multitude of gigs throughout the Mid-Atlantic. And for the rest of the year, Renate continued to perform as Snippy Doodles and Holly Gander, with loyal roadie Kris learning her amazing magic, puppetry, balloon twisting, and other skills.

In October 2023, Kris & Holly moved to Dover, DE, where they anticipate being one of Delaware and eastern Maryland's best choices for quality family entertainment. Whether it's for the Clauses, for parties, for fun educational programs, or wherever magic and wonder are desired, Kris & Holly are your entertainment solution. The magic is here, and they can't wait to share it with you.

We offer a Bose sound system for larger venues, along with backdrops, and lighting where necessary.