Packing up

There is so much more to getting to a gig than just personal hygiene and putting on a Santa suit. The preparation takes planning - what suit should be worn where, are extra gloves packed, is a Santa sack needed. In our case, because my PS plays the Autoharp at his gigs, keeping the instrument in tune. We were handed a surprise last night when the 'harp' broke. Strings are one thing, but one of the bars that holds the strings cracked. So a couple of hours were spent gluing, re-stringing, and repairing. It works, but what to do if it did really become nonfunctional? Yes, he could play a guitar, but it does not have the same punch that the Autoharp does. Still, we would do whatever has to be done.

Things to remember when packing up - safety pins, suspenders, extra Santa Hats, breath mints, powder. Like I said, be prepared. If I accompany my PS to gigs, which I will do if there are many together and he may get tired, I try to bring reading material and a flash light. The trick is to not look like I am 'casing the joint,' and try to be unobtrusive.

Princeton

As I write this, we are getting 6 to 10 inches of snow. Appropriate for Christmas, but can be miserable for getting to a gig. But more on that later. The Lighting of the Christmas Tree in Princeton, NJ went wonderfully well. Ten to fifteen thousand people all watching my PS, as well as a band, dancers - a great show! This year there was a script with elves played by the local high school thespians and more lights than ever. Beautiful night, cool, not too cold. After leading the crowd in the counting down to the lighting, Santa leaves and all the spectators go about the real business of Christmas = Shopping! But this year several families followed Santa off stage to tell him how much they enjoyed the show and to get pictures with Santa. This is the first time in the over ten years my PS has been doing the tree lighting that this has happened!

Now, what does Ms Claus do during all this? I hide in the hotel room and watch the festivities from the window. Not that I do not have the Holiday Spirit, but I know my PS - he needs to keep his mind on what he is doing and not have to worry about me in the crowd. Besides, I have noticed that sometimes he drops character around me, and we cannot have that happen!

Rules to Becoming a Professional Santa

I am sure that a person does not wake up one day and say to themselves 'I am going to be a Santa - and get paid for it too!' At least, I hope not. Usually a person who becomes a PS (Professional Santa) may volunteer to be the family's Santa, or be volunteered at work because of a "look" - and that is not always a fat belly. Sometimes there is a charm in that person's eyes that shows a love for life/children/the season, whatever. But a good PS starts out with that and can work from there.

There are rules and you may think the first rule is to love children. My opinion is the first rule is to love people in general. As I say, "children remember you, but adults never forget you." And adults around a good PS become children again - that is something to behold!

Second rule - make a good impression in the entrance. In the role as a PS arrive with confidence, knowing you have the opportunity to bring joy to the people who see you. If you have any confusion, or fear, do not show it. The magic of Santa is he can take control and handle any situation.

Which leads to the third rule - Preparation! Make sure you are clean, the suit is clean, everything is fastened and adjusted. In addition, make sure you arrive on time to the gig to get any last minute information such as where to enter, how much time you have, names of children, etc. Bring extra anything that may break, rip, get dirty, etc. That includes gloves, pants, hats, belts, suspenders, boots or boot covers. And double check your breath and 'pits' - bring mouthwash, or mints and deodorant. Matter-of-fact, my PS does not eat any garlic or onions for the whole month of December, just to be sure.

Rule four is to Expect the Unexpected. People may see you in the 'rig' outside of the event or party, so work up some answers for the questioners. Or a child may kick too hard, so learn to take a hit (or wear 'protection.') And, of course, the beard pull. If you use a fake beard, make sure it is tight and watch the hands of your children - or adults who act like children.

These are the basic rules. There are more, but each situation leads to new guidelines. I will go into more detail in another post. I also will be filling you in about our adventures in PS world this year, starting with the tree lighting in Princeton. See you soon.

Ms Claus

Thanksgiving

November 22, 2007

Thanksgiving to a Professional Santa (PS) is the real start to the busy season. Some PS's work this day, particularly for parades (think Macy's). Can be a grueling day, but very exciting and rewarding.

In our case, the day after the holiday is very big, for it means lighting the tree in Princeton, NJ. Last year the count was 10,000 people watching one guy in a red suit turn on a tree. But it is much more than that - choirs singing, bands, getting the crowd to count down to the moment of the tree lighting. The people who run this show in Princeton know that having Santa there brings the crowds - and the money.

And we can honestly say that the real start for this PS was working in Princeton. It started almost 20 years ago being the weekend Santa walking around Palmer Square in the costume from A Christmas Carol - the Ghost of Christmas Past. That costume was a very authentic and heavy, being all fur and so long that it swept the ground. If it was a warm winter day, it was unbearably hot. If it rained, it dragged. If it snowed, well, that was okay - warm and cozy. Speaking as Ms Claus, this when I realized that my Santa needed lighter weight costumes, or at least a selection for the weather conditions.

Anyway, the people who had hired him liked how my Santa handled crowds and customers and offered to let him light the tree the next year. How wonderful, as my Santa loves being the center of attention. That first year he did not come down off that high for a week! And he still gets excited about this event.

So we are making the three-hour drive down to Princeton again tomorrow. We have moved away from NJ this year, but there is a commitment to go back. It is supposed to be clear and cold and possibly snowy - perfect!

What is a Professional Santa?

November 16, 2007:

It is that time again. Time to get out the suits and dust off the boots and get Santa ready for another busy year. My husband is a Professional Santa Claus, which makes me a Mrs Claus, but I prefer the more appropriate "Ms Claus."

A Professional Santa Claus is a gentleman who, for one thing, gets paid for his appearances. He is also someone who puts a lot of time and thought into his costumes, accessories, HAIR and BEARD. Let me tell you, a Santa with a real white beard and hair gets the higher payback, more gigs, etc. It also helps if the Santa has a 'hook' - in my Santa's case, musical ability.

This is the start of an ongoing post regarding the life of a Professional Santa (PS for short). Stop in for some insights, as well as some hints for the aspiring Santa.

See You Tomorrow,
Ms Claus