I had the opportunity to don the red suit and be Santa Claus for a couple of hours last Saturday. Here are some observations.

I volunteered to play Santa at the Townsquare Media Holiday Craft Faire. I figured if I had to donate some time, I might as well have fun.

I arrived at the Modern Living building at State Fair Park, the faire's venue, well ahead of my scheduled hours as Santa. Our events coordinator, Al Holman, helped me get into the wig, beard, suit and cap to play Kris Kringle. I found it funny that I had to strap a pillow on as a false belly to fill out the coat. I would have used my own middle a couple of years ago, so when I got out of the suit on a break, I really felt thin.

It was interesting to watch the reactions of the kids when Santa spoke to them. Some walked right over to where I was sitting and started to talk. Others had to be coaxed by their parents to get a picture with me. One mom started to put a little girl on my lap, but started to cry as soon as her mom extended her to me.

The reaction that made me chuckle the most belonged to the kids that wouldn't walk within ten feet of me. Some didn't even want to look in my direction, while others clung tight to their parents, but couldn't take their eyes off of me.

I even interacted with some of the adults as Santa, and they were good sports about it. I would tease some of the ladies about who was naughty and who was nice, and pick out  a couple of the guys saying "I remember you, 1964, right?" One gentleman said "Yep, I was 12. Thanks for the train."

All in all it was a great experience, and I'll be up for it again next year. Just have to remember to get something to color my eyebrows white to go with the wig and beard. Have to totally look the part, right?

 

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