I played Santa twice in a residential school I worked at.
But with a twist.

A local helicopter pilot, as a favor, flew Santas to Schools and hospitals, in his red & white helicopter.
It was my first time in a helicopter and imagine my shock that the
pilot had only a prosthetic arm (a hook, in which he held the controls) He relaxed me with some advice, dont worry we can always glide if we run out of gas. ANd dont forget to duck when your get
off.

We landed near the school ground and as I aproached the kids, they all said Hi Santa except for One who said hi Peter and my last name

it was fun.