T-Town Santa

The general plan for a home visit is for me to arrive a few minutes early to load up any gifts you want me to pass out. I will text when I'm almost there. When loaded up I will knock on the door, I request that they have one of the children answer the door. I will enter and meet and greet everyone (hugs, high-fives, and lots of ho ho ho's) including the adults. I like to single out the oldest male, usually Grandpa with (I remember you, I didn't think we'd ever get you off the naughty list). The kids usually get a big laugh out of that that one.

I like to make introductions at this time. I always begin by asking the kids if they know my name. They almost always respond with Santa Claus. I tell them Santa Claus is my title, but my name is Kris Kringle. Invariably one of the kids will ask me why I don't know their names. I tell them that at the North Pole we keep track of 2 lists, The Naughty Children and the Nice Children. The Nice list is very large and requires many elves with computers to keep it accurate. Where as the naughty list is fairly short, so that's the list I memorize. So, if I don't know their name it must be because their on the Nice list. And to prove it I hand out their "Nice" certificates. I'll then tell them the story of Jimmy Hyatt (the 1st boy to ever get coal, and the first child on the Naughty list).

At this point I open the floor to questions about the North Pole, Santa, Elves, and the Reindeer. I ask if they know the names of all the reindeer. I tell them how Rudolph got his red nose. He ate red fairy dust and it turned him glowing bright red all over. The fairy's had him eat broccoli to get the red out, and it worked except for his nose. I usually let them know I'm over 700 hundred years old. I always introduce Mrs. Claus and tell them how we met at Elf School. I will have Mrs. Claus read a story to the children at this time.

I pass around my magic key and tell them how it works to let me into homes without chimneys, it only works for me and only on Christmas eve. Usually one of the children will ask where my reindeer are. I tell them I parked them out at the airport since my sleigh drivers license doesn't cover driving them on the street. I tell them I don't have a car drivers license only a sleigh drivers license (pass it around). I explain Mrs. Claus has a car driver license so She drives us around to make our special visits.

I then have a sing along to Jingle Bells, Hear Comes Santa Claus, Rudolph. I bring along several sheets with the words just so everyone can join in. I insist that the adults help the little ones with the words. At this point I would like to read The Night Before Christmas (From Santa's Point of view). Then I listen to the Christmas hopes and dreams of each child (while also getting informal and traditional photos/videos).

It's now that I'll hand out gifts, I usually allow each child to open their gift before moving onto the next child. After all the gifts are open I like to get a group photo and then open it up to photos with the adults if they want to.

I like to take photos with any older or teenage children with age appropriate poses, almost always standing. I try to draw them into the event by making them feel comfortable with Santa. After all the pictures are taken Santa will end the visit and bid everyone a Merry Christmas and a Good Night before making his exit.

This is the basics of how my home visits go.

I have been performing as Santa for over six years, specializing in home visits and private parties. I'm a real-bearded Santa with a snowy white beard. I bring Mrs. Claus to every event at no extra charge. I have worked with children of all ages, including special needs children. I also offer Virtual Visits. I have recently been ordained in the Universal life Church and can now perform legally binding weddings as Santa Claus. If you love Christmas You'll want Santa to officiate your wedding. I have been involved with Santa specific training and I'm ready to handle your event with confidence.

Tips for a Home Visit from Santa:

Santa Bert is delighted that you have decided to make him a part of your Christmas memories. To help you in making the most of Santa’s visit, I have prepared the following list of suggestions. I am always happy to discuss ways in which I can “plus” your event, so please don’t hesitate to contact me.

HAVE YOUR CAMERA READY
Be sure to have all cameras, camcorders and batteries necessary to take the photos you want. Be sure your batteries are fresh. Consider where Santa will be seated for pictures and take some sample shots at the same time of day. Alter the lighting accordingly. Don’t rely on flashes for the bulk of the lighting or red-eye is pretty much guaranteed. Also, make sure you know how to use your camera or camcorder since there is no worse time to learn than just after a once in a lifetime moment has passed!

CONSIDER SANTA’S ARRIVAL
Ideally, Santa’s arrival should be out of view of your guests, especially doubting tweens and teens. Santa can reasonably explain why he’s driving a van instead of a sleigh, but it’s better to not have to. If Santa will need to fill his sac, privacy will be an even greater concern. Also remember that Santa’s hair and suit are quickly mussed by rain, so having a greeter with an umbrella is a good idea in wet weather. And the suit is quite warm, so unless you want a sweaty Santa, he needs to park close to your event. A helpful neighbor’s garage can be ideal in wet or warm weather.

HAVE YOUR GIFTS READY
Santa will hand out your candy and gifts and can carry in one bag of presents (no more than can fit in a 35 gallon trash bag) for children or guests. Gifts should be labeled in a very legible handwriting, and if there are any challenging pronunciations they should be communicated to Santa before the event. Tags should be taped on well lest they fall off in Santa’s sack. It is also a good idea to write the names on the wrapping paper-just in case. It might be a good idea to have a couple of extra presents on hand as well, in case of an unplanned extra guest.

HAVE A SPECIAL CHAIR FOR SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS
Folding chairs, plastic chairs, and low chairs (the one’s you sink into) are not good. Santa needs a chair that is sturdy and stable that will allow his thigh bone to be parallel to the floor, or the kids will slide. A good, sturdy straight-back dining chair with no arms works well. He should be able to sit comfortably with the chair supporting him plus a child on each knee. Please have a second chair available for Mrs. Claus.

PLACE THE CHAIR IN A HOLIDAY SETTING
Maybe in front of a decorated wall or any festive type of backdrop, and your photos will have more impact. Place a wreath, a few Christmas cards or your children’s drawings on the wall to make a wonderful difference. Leave a foot or two between the chair and the
tree or wall. This will allow room for others to gather around and behind Santa’s chair for group photos. Fireplaces do look nice but remember putting Santa too close to a real fire is not good for his comfort or health. For the best pictures, adjust overhead lighting and place table or floor lamps to adequately light the scene. Flashes should only be used to “fill” not to light the scene. Finally, having a clock in Santa’s view can help him to pace his visit.

SANTA NEVER BREAKS FROM HIS CHARACTER
This is very important and something most adults do without thinking about the implications. Please don’t say things to Santa such as “Why you’re one of the best Santa's I’ve ever seen”. Don’t ask questions about when he started playing Santa or where did he get his costumes. It’s very important that you treat me as Santa Claus and not as someone that plays Santa Claus. Also, Santa is a wholesome, child-oriented character. Please instruct your guests to not compromise that image by having Santa hand out adult only gifts, or behaving in a lewd manner either with or in the presence of Santa. Please help keep the wonder of Christmas alive for your children and others.

GATHER BEFORE SANTA ENTERS
Timing is everything. Santa’s contracted time begins the minute he arrives. Minutes spent getting everyone together are part of your contracted time. If everyone is scattered around the house, you lose valuable time. You and Santa can coordinate so that he
should call when he is five minutes away from arriving. That’s your cue to have someone go outside to meet Santa, and for you to get everyone together and maybe to sing some Christmas Carols. If Santa is to bring in presents, the person meeting him can help him fill his bag. Then, at the right moment, Santa can pop in.

SANTA’S PRIORITIES
Santa wants to give his full attention to each child, not to managing an “operation”. If you have a large group of children to see Santa, you should assign someone to be Santa’s helper and coordinate the children as they each visit Santa. This helper can check for dirty hands, use sanitizing wipes if necessary, help with sorting and distributing gifts, and help to ease nerves and pose the children for photos. And Santa wants to include everyone. Yes, some teenagers will shy away or think it is too childish to have a photo with Santa. Don’t worry; Santa can stand up for a “buddy” photo. What about grandma and grandpa? Take a photo with Santa and Grandma hugging. And, nothing is more fun than having Santa ask Grandpa if he’s been a good boy.

CONCLUSION OF THE VISIT
Santa cannot be a clock-watcher, so if the host notices that time is running short an interjection of “Hey Santa, how about a story” can signal the end is near. Santa always likes to end his visit with a retelling of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, but with a twist, as told from Santa’s perspective. Know that at the end of the story Santa will make his exit wishing a “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night”. I hope this list will help you to plan and execute your vision of the perfect home visit from Santa, and I sincerely thank you for enlisting me to help you realize that vision.