The Atlanta Santa

For the Children:
First and foremost, I want the children to have an enjoyable experience. I will work with the bashful and scared to help ease their fears. I want to spend as much time as possible with each of the children. Lap time is the best time where I can hear their Christmas List, answer their questions, and pose for pictures. I also enjoy doing the unexpected to make the visit even more memorable for them such as sharing milk and cookies, having an impromptu tea party. I always enjoy reading a story to the group or leading them in some Christmas songs.

For the Adults:
I am there to provide the necessary services while remaining in character. I will meet and great the guests and mingle at the gathering, pausing often for pictures. I can also distribute supplied gifts to the attendees.

Personal Bio:
I am native to Atlanta, having been born at Crawford Long Hospital in 1956. A graduate of Peachtree High School in Dunwoody, I attended college at Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and Kettering in Flint, MI. I am married to my first wife since 1980, with two grown children and two grandchildren. I spent many years coaching youth soccer while my children were pre-teens and teenagers. I spent 10+ years in the Cincinnati area during my working years as a software architect.

Santa Bio:
I remember from an early age how wonderful it must be to be Santa Claus. I always suspected that the man at Buster Brown Shoes was not the real Santa - that fake beard and mustache was a sure give-away. The Christmas holidays always brought "Miracle on 34th Street" to the TV and I just knew Santa Claus, the man, was as real as could be. The 1994 release of Tim Allen's "The Santa Clause" gave me hope that an ordinary guy could be Santa Claus! Ever since college I've worn a full beard and in November, 2010, my wife encouraged me to have my hair and beard professionally bleached. From that day in the salon chair, everyone has called me Santa.

What You Get:
As a descendant of Saint Nicholas, as all professional Santas consider themselves, I take the portrayal of Santa Claus very seriously. I stay "in character" from before I arrive at an event and encourage all other adults to do like-wise. My heart fills with joy every time I see the eyes of a little child get wide with surprise just as much as when I see adults smile with wonderment, second guessing their own belief in Santa. I am a member of ClausNET, one of the largest online community of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus portrayers, as well as their helpers. I am also a graduate of several Santa schools including the International Santa Claus University, taught by the Hollywood Santa, Tim Connaghan, The Charles W. Howard Santa School in Midland Michigan, and the Northern Lights Academy in Atlanta, Georgia.
I have also invested heavily in the tools that help bring believability to my appearance. From multiple custom suits, custom boots, belts, and accessories including my Magic Key, there is no clue that I'm not THE real Santa Claus. For the occasions when the full suit is either not required or may be overwhelming to young children, I have a professionally designed casual look with a vest and knickers, which allows me to be a more subdued, grandfatherly Santa. And I think they both photograph equally well! Additionally, I have decided to keep my hair and beard white year-round. It gives me an opportunity to interact in a positive manner with children all year long and, after all, what I do is "All about the Children".
I am also comfortable entertaining a small group with storytelling ("A Visit from Saint Nicholas" and "Polar Express" are my favorites) and leading everyone in Christmas Carols, either secular (Silent Night, Away in a Manger) or non-secular (Jingle Bells, Here Comes Santa Claus). These services are provided at no additional fee as to help fill available time.

I can also provide helpers for larger groups of children. The helper(s) will assist in organizing the que line to see Santa and can also entertain small groups.