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
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Thursday, November 22, 2007
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!
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!
Friday, November 16, 2007
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
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