Another Season

Our first gig is next Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, to light the Tree in Princeton again. We are so glad that they appreciate my Santa; I know he loves to do it. It is a bit of a trek for us, but worth it. I love to see the faces of the people in the crowd as they experience the joy of the season - the 'noise' is happier once the ceremony is complete. For a brief moment, there is more civility. The next day, everything goes back to normal.

We make adaptations because of this season and my Santa's gig. For instance, since he had off from his regular job, we had our Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. We did the whole bit - all that was missing were the parades on TV. This gives us the real Thanksgiving day to pack up and get ready for Princeton, and reduces the stress in case he has to work.

We do not exchange Christmas gifts with each other. Not that we do not feel the spirit, but when we need or want something, we save up for it and buy it when it is on sale. Besides, I hate surprises! So that saves us shopping anxiety for Black Friday as well as the entire Christmas shopping season.

We work up a grid each year now, so we do not wear the same costume two years in a row to our repeat customers, unless they request it. The grid also tells us if we have received the contract back yet, the address for the gig and any other pertinent data. It has become invaluable.

There is a whole coordination of planning each year and it does not get any easier, just more recognition as to what to expect.

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!