BS: Ever Play Santa??

Subject: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 03:22 AM

Those of you who have seen me know I have thinning white hair and a rather full white beard - and a belly that is considerably larger than it was before I quit smoking.
I played Santa a few times, maybe 20 years ago, when my kids were young. I had to use a fake beard and a padded belly, but it was fun. As soon as I put the costume on, I automatically began to act like Santa.
I was asked to be Santa several times after that; but for one reason or another, I didn't have the opportunity to do it - before today. I do volunteer work one day a week at a women's center in the poor part of Sacramento. It was a perfect day today, and I was working outside, picking up trash and sweeping - wearing my maroon (almost red) volunteer shirt. Some woman put a Santa hat on my head, and I didn't think anything of it. As time went on, I noticed that little kids were staring at me as they went into the building. I caught onto what they were seeing, and played up to them. One little girl came up to me and asked why I wasn't at the North Pole. I said it was too darn cold up there, and I much preferred to be in California.
Anyhow, it was fun to watch the reactions of the kids today. Even the adults were unusually friendly to me, passers-by wishing me Merry Christmas and all. It sure made for a nice afternoon.
Anyone else have Santa experiences to tell us about?
-Joe Offer-
ho, ho, ho...

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: fat B****rd
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 04:25 AM

I'm playing Santa this very aternoon at the "Works" Childrens party. I'm off to buy prezzies for my little helpers. I LOVE this, my only public appearance these days.
Some years ago our Manager decided (probably while drunk) to have Grandchildren at the party. This cost a small fortune for the firm (aahh)but anyway 78 kids turned up. After 76 of them had recieved presents two tearful little boys were brought over by their non too bright Granddads who hadn't returned the forms to ensure a gift. I felt like shit. The kids did get gifts eventually but their misery after waiting over an hour for nothing was really heartbreaking.

Nowadays I go and ask people if they,ve handed the forms back in.

Playing Santa is GREAT !! I do a "private" for a neighbour whose son still believes and asks disarming questions. Drinking a can of beer through that beard is an achievement, I can tell you.

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 04:28 AM

Father Christmas had been held up as his sleigh had overturned and he no longer felt he could deliver all the presents on time in the U.K.
When he knocked on my door I was shocked, to say the least..I mean to say....MY DOOR!! who would have thought it.
He explained the problem and I quickly succumbed to aiding him in his efforts. We would be using my car for just one hour to deliver as many presents as possible throughout the U.K.
Of course, I had thought we would manage to deliver only to the town I live in but No! We delivered to hundreds of towns and all within an hour...it all happened so fast.
By this time his sleigh was fixed and he went his merry way after eating yet another mince pie and drinking a glass of whisky.
A carrot each for the reindeers and he was gone.
I was a little annoyed as he had not said thank you for my help but what the heck...it was an honour anyway I thought as I dragged myself to bed at 1 30am.
When I woke the next morning, there was a stocking at the bottom of my bed......what a surprise, what a shock for me as I expected nothing at my age.....what was in the stocking? I'll leave that to your imagination.
Best wishes for a great Christmas.

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: Micca
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 05:55 AM

when untrimmed, I have a fairly bushy grey and white beard. A few years ago in the last weeks before Christmas Liz the Squeak and I were going around a big Supermarket here in the UK doing some last minute shopping. Liz had gone to get something from another aisle when I had this feeling of being stared at, you know the one, like your mother used to use when you had just whipped your hand out of the cookie jar. I looked around, saw no one and was about to carry on when something made me look down. There, peeping around the corner of the racks was a little 4 year old Girl, all wrapped up in scarf and bobble hat(pink) shyly looking at me with eyes as big as Saucers, and in a very small voice she said" Excuse me, are you Father Christmas"?
I put a finger to my lips and said " Shh, I am Off duty". with a Huge grin that lit up the store she vanished. About 5 mins later, further up the store I could hear an excited voice in the next aisle saying, " Mummy Mummy , Father Christmas is over there, but we must not say anything, cos' he is off duty". That made my day that did.

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: wysiwyg
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 09:32 AM

I think PoppaGator has....

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: LilyFestre
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 09:41 AM

I never have played Santa but my husband did one year while handing out gifts to the children at a residential school where I worked! It was fun for everybody...some of the kids caught on but many did not...the kids loved it, he loved it and I loved watching him!!! :)

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: harvey andrews
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 12:03 PM

In my only year as a schoolteacher aged 22 I was dressed up in full Santa disguise,red dressing gown,white hair,long white beard, etc. I took off my glasses and climbed on to a low slung dinner trolley with a big sack of presents and was towed in to the main hall where the younger classes were sitting in eager anticipation. In true Santa fashion I boomed out "Hello children!"
and my class of seven year olds responded with their usual chant;
"Good mor-ning Mister An-drews".

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 12:04 PM

I've played Santa every year for the last 20 or so...usually at Malls, but occ. other places...and I own my own suit, natch.

One of the first times I did, a new Shopping Center hired me and they did the Big Promotion thing with Santa arriving the day after T'giving Day...as I was walking into the Mall, I heard the little girl scream, "SA-A-A-A-NTA!' and come running to me full tilt and leaped into my arms, saying "I knew you'd be here, I knew you'd be here!" over and over again...turns out that her Dad's new wife had told her that Santa doesn't exist!

Just then, the new mom walked up and yanked my beard, presumably to show that it was fake...it wasn't! I looked at her and said in my best Santa-voice, "Sue Ellen, you've been a VERY naughty girl and I'm leaving you reindeer poop!"...she looked VERY surprised that I knew her name!

Fortunately, she didn't see her husband's hastily written sign: "The bitch's name is Sue Ellen, Santa!"

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: GUEST,Clint Keller
Date: 18 Dec 04 - 07:59 PM

Several years ago, I was headed for the john in a fast-food place when a litttle boy said "Hi, Santa!" to me. I was wearing civvys and my beard wasn't yet all white and anyway I don't have the proper paunch so I thought the kid was being a smartass and I said ""Hi" and went on in.

When I came out he was there with his bigger brother and little sister and his mother, who was saying "What do you mean. 'He's in there?'-" and she turned her head and saw me.

She got a wonderful expression on her face: that of a woman who had been caught by Santa while waiting to see him come out of the crapper.

The kids all said "Hi, Santa." and I said "Hi." and patted their heads and went on out…

clint

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: Kaleea
Date: 19 Dec 04 - 01:46 AM

I have done "Mrs. Santa" in recent years. In the costume I made, every child knows exactly who my alter ego is. It's even more fun when my nephew portrays Santa with me. We can turn quite a tidy sum in December. More than music gigs!

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: GUEST,Wesley S at Home
Date: 19 Dec 04 - 02:40 PM

I've played Santa several times for some kids from one of the housing projects. It's one of the best times I have all year. Most of the kids - around 60 of them know I'm a chubby guy in a red velvet suit. But for about ten or twelve of them I'm the real Santa. And that's priceless.

One little boy ran back up to me after he'd been on my lap and said "Santa - look at what you gave me - it's a truck !!" Of course I answered back - "I knew you wanted one". Later - with kids still on my lap he comes back with a soccer ball and asks " Santa - Would you like to play some soccer ?? " I had to tell him I was busy.

While talking to the kids I've learned that I have to be careful of some of the things I say. The first year I played Santa I told one of the first kids to make sure they minded their mom and dad and to be good before Christmas. The little girl replyed that she didn't have a dad and that her mom was in jail for awhile - but that she would be good and mind her older sister. Santa had to recover very quickly.

All in all though it's more fun that any one person should be allowed to have. Never pass up a chance to play Santa. It's a real learning experience - and the best present I receive.

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: MMario
Date: 20 Dec 04 - 11:03 AM

I played santa for years when I worked at a restaraunt - and one of the best EVER "santa" experiences was the little boy who jumped on my lap and asked for a puppy. I was about to tell him that I would try - but that the reindeer weren't too happy about pulling squirmy baby animals around in the sleigh when I looked up at the boys Mom - who was grinning from ear to ear and nodding "Yes". So I had the pleasure of telling him that there would be a puppy for him on Christmas morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Dec 04 - 05:58 PM

I played santa at Toys R Us a few Christmases ago. My agent was kind like that, always looking for work for me (Hm!)...

they put me in a little hut with plastic reindeer and an elf outside.

After a bit I got fed up with just doing the straight gig and I started making up a fantasy, The reindeer was a magic reindeer and the kids had to stroke him and make a wish. after a day or two, I started recognising the same faces turning up again. they had seen other santas, but none of them had a magic reindeer.

I liked the star aspect of the job, you'd do a 6 hour shift, and walk back to the rest room to change an all the kids eyes were on you. In their eyes , you were a much bigger star than say Elton John or Michael Jackson. Of course five minutes later when you walked out in civilian attire, - nobody recognised you, even kids you'd just been talking to - and that was weird. Of course they hadn't been talking to you - theyd been talking to Santa.

Some of the conversations were sort of heart breaking, a very poor kid would say to you - do you REALLY want to know what I want? They were old and cynical about life , before their time - but some residue of the magic of childhood vulnerability remained - and for a second it surfaced. You tried not to abuse that.

I remember the guy who did the first shift had put some books under the seat with Christmas wrapping paper covers and SANTAS BOOKS on the cover. They were Viz Annuals. i was determined not to bother, but after a couple of days I was devouring them in slack periods.

Christmas Eve - the store manager brought his kid in. Pissed off to be there a second longer than he was being paid - and as Frosty the Snowman , and that Pretenders song cranked out for the umpteenth time - he looked like he was being buggered with a pineapple, so uncomfortable did he seem
Tell the man what you want and then we're going, he snapped. The kid hesitated. Tell him, he almost shouted. the kid murmured....train.
Right, you've told him, we're off! he grabbed the kids hand...and swept imperiously away.
BUT he got accosted by some underling, as he tried to make his escape, and the kid sneaked backinto the hut, and I was launching into my magic reindeer routine....
WHEN SUDDENLY THE BOSS CHARGES IN, JUST WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU're DOING! he thunders half at me, half at the kid. And thank God that was the last day.

I wrote two songs about my experience. One of them was on a Line Dance Album that sold a lot of copies but somehow I never got paid for. I occasionally see it in in old peoples homes, where |I do most of my gigs these days. the old folks like it to exercise to.

Merry Christmas to all Santas, amateur and professonal!

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: PoppaGator
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 09:22 AM

Hmmm, where to begin? How much to say? Two years ago I started working as Santa at a very large and busy shopping mall; it's been a wonderful experience, and I really miss it this year. (I have to take a year off, for a number of health-related reasons -- see "No Santa This Year..." thread.)

Most lump-in-the-throat inducing moments: visits from kids with various handicaps, physical and mental. Almost invariably, they're so happy just to be out and about, and seeing Santa is just the high point of their day, or week, or more. A couple of the most moving experiences were visits from full-grown mentally challenged adults who were really little children in oversized bodies. Their guardians were always quite solicitous, telling them not to sit on Santa's lap, you'll hurt him, but as a young-ish and relatively fit Santa, I'd say no, go ahead, have a seat right here.

One guy slipped me a diamond ring to give to his girlfriend when the two of them came to visit with their two sets of kids. When I handed over the ring, he got right down on his knees and proposed. (She said "yes" -- of course.)

The first few days I had the job, I'd come home with story after story about every detail, but the novelty wore off. It's not that I became jaded -- quite the contrary; the job never became any less rewarding. But there were just too many experiences to continue remembering every little detail.

When kids would ask "what kind of cookies do you like?" -- a common question -- my answer was always: "Homemade!" Most parents would nod in approval, and sometimes we'd go off into a conversation about how when I come down that chimney, I really love it when the house smells like a bakery. I'd occasionally get a nasty retort from an overworked (or culinarily-challenged) mom who'd resent being told to bake cookies, when I'd back off and allow that it's perfectly OK to buy some of that pre-made cookie dough from your grocer's dairy case, cut it up, and stick it in the oven -- still produces plenty of that fresh-baking aroma, even if it is "cheating" a little bit.

When a kid would tell me that, of course, the Christmas cookies at his house are *always* homemade, and would brag on his mother's baking, I'd whisper in his ear: "You know, some people leave me Oreos and Chips Ahoys, but I don't even eat 'em -- I feed that junk to the reindeer. Too many good homemade goodies that night to fill up on that storebought crap." On a couple of occasions, when encouraged by a gourmet parent, I'd start rattling off the various delicacies found in different countries around the world.

Wish lists: I was taken aback the first time a kid asked me for a gun, but I quickly realized that (whatever the personal feelings of my real-life self) it had to be OK if it's OK with the parents, and there are plenty of serious hunting families, especially out in the not-too-distant swamplands. So I just ask if it's alright with mom and dad and explain that I won't give out firearms to kids unless I'm sure their parents approve and will be supervising. (Yikes!)

I have to take the same approach to requests for pets. A lot of kids want puppies and kittens but their parents can't or won't have animals in the house, and it's very common for them to ask Santa for what their parents won't give them. So I explain that it would be irresponsible for me to bring live animals into homes where the whole family won't work together to take care of them. (Actually, you usually get some kind of signal from the parent one way or the other; if the parent gives the go-ahead, I'll just agree to bring the pet and not get into all that other explanation.)

So: no firearms and no live animals without parental approval!

I remember one very precocious little girl, probably no older than 4 or 5 but astoundingly literate, who brought me a four-page list of what-I-want, single spaced in about 9 point type. She had obviously typed it out herself, and it was quite impressive; even her misspellings revealed intelligence beyond her years -- good, understandable phonetic renditions. Of course, the sheer volume of requests betrayed just a bit of greediness. Her parents looked on, obviously proud of her accomplishment. When I glanced over one page after another after another, I couldn't help but bust out laughing, which absolutely shocked the little girl. I put her at ease, told her she did a great job making up her list, but that -- even though she had been a very good little girl -- there was no way I could bring her everything on her list -- it was just too much! I wouldn't have *time*, even, to stay at her house long enough to unload so much stuff; I have to take care of all the other boys and girls all around the world, and no one kid can get quite that much stuff. (The parents approved, and in fact looked *very* relieved that I had taken their little princess down a notch or two, but gently.)

The one thing I did not fully appreciate when I first applied for the job was that, in today's world, Santa's primary job description is to act as a photographer's model. (That's the only reason it's a *paying* job, after all.) I probably would have shied away had I realized what I was getting into, because I've never been the least bit photogenic. The only good pictures of myself are candid shots -- whenever I've had to sit still and "smile for the camera," I wind up with an unattractive teeth-gritting grimace. I think it must be a genetic trait I inherited from my mother, who used to cut her face out of photos before mounting them in family albums. (There are plenty of pictures in those albums from which I would have liked to have cut *my* face, but as a kid I did not have the authority to carry out such a decision.)

At any rate, possibly because I was not myself but rather Santa Claus, I suddenly became *good* at smiling for the camera, even holding the expression for long minutes while waiting for the photographer and mom and grandma to coax a smile out of a child. For anyone who suffes from the same camera-phobia that I once did, I can offer this advice: instead of concentrating on your mouth ("smile! show your teeth! say cheese!"), think about your *eyes* -- open them wide, raise your eyebrows a bit, and let yourself grin. I think I started *doing* it this way unconsciously, and only later analyzed what I was doing differently than before that allowed me to take a decent picture for the first time in my life. I was making the same face for the camera that I would make when looking straight into a child's face, coaxing/assuring them that all is well, let's both look happy and smile for the camera, etc.

Smiling the same smile for thousands and thousands of pictures, day after day, is not unlike playing and singing a familiar song over and over again. You're conveying a feeling that is indeed genuine, but through practice and repitition, you create a synthetic way to duplicate communication of that feeling, on-demand. It's not a fake smile, it's genuine (or, at least, artful) -- just as the feelings you put across with that well-worn signature song of yours are genuine, even though you've been reproducing them in much the same way for years.

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 08:10 PM

Nice one Poppa! I really enjoyed that....

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 09:22 AM

Jeez, I was afraid I had posted the last message in a thread AGAIN. So, thanks, wld!

I sure miss not having done the Santa gig this year. I managed to include most of my most important reminiscences yesterday morning, but just thought of one more:

A fairly common occurance has been for a dad (or grandpa) to give me a nudge and a wink and say "Hey Santa, you don't really want milk and cookies, do you? Wouldn't you rather have a nice shot of [Scotch/bourbon/whatever]?"

I'd wink back, continuing the charade of secret muttered communication, and say something along the lines of: "Of yeah, sure, that'll be fine -- but if it's all the same to you, I'd prefer some good *Irish* whiskey. Got any? You ought to try some yourself."

More often than not, in this part of the world, dad or grandpa has *never* tasted Irish whiskey, and I always take the opportunity to promote one of my favorite libations. Who knows? Perhaps I've made a convert or two.

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 11:31 AM

Imagine what that dad would say if he heard - "No thanks - Santa's 12 step program wouldn't allow that. Besides - you wouldn't want Santa to drink and fly - would you ?"

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 11:40 AM

I was "volunteered" by a supposed friend to do my local pubs childrens Christmas party. When I was finally informed it was too late for me to refuse. I hired the best Santa suit I could and looked really authentic. On the day I did the usual Santa stuff until the 7 year old son of my friend who volunteered me arrived. Whereupon I proceeded to promise him not only what he modestly asked for but added (in the immediate hearing of my friend) a bike and a trainset. My friend was going green and shaking his head violently to dissuade me.

He says I cost hime more than £100 extra in Santas prezzies for his boy.

What revenge and his boy got the benifit.

Spot

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: NH Dave
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 11:57 AM

So far I have playede Santa on three different occasions and different venues.

When I was still in the Air Force, working in a small mobile communications outfit, I was asked tp portray an inbound Santa, for one of our flying squadron's Christmas party. They had another man to do the actual appearance, but they wanted to build the suspense by making it seem as if Santa and all were actually coming down a few days early just for their party. Like any of our flying squadrons, they had their own UHF radio system to be able to talk to their aircraft while inflight, and they wanted me/us to use our system to radio them a few carefully scripted messages that the attendees could hear come over the radio at the party.

I asked a couple of my people and one of the girlfriends in on the gag if they'd play elfs and Mrs Santa, and all seemed to go quite well. We did a pre-liftoff scent with the elves and Mrs Claus, and then a couple of enroute transmissions, picking up on local landmarks, including being in a holding pattern for some large aircraft departures from out base in North Carolina. It was a fun time and all the kids were especially happy when Santa came bounding in from an adjacent room.

About the same time I was asked to play Santa for our Cub Scout pack's Christmas meeting, which involved the pack giving each Cub Scout a model car kit to build up for an upcoming Pinewood Derby, where the Cubs raced the cars they had built against each other.

The most fun I have had is my latest try, where I am playing Santa for the kids and grandkids of a teacher at the school where I substitute. She asked me to do it several years ago when I had a shorter mostly white beard, and was still quite rounded out. Now I let the beard grow from the end of summer, and seem to be accepted by the grandkids, with the addition of only the costume and tall motorcycle boots. Its really nice to see those kids seem to grow up before my eyes. One child, who had to almost be dragged up before the behemoth in red several years ago, now skips up without any hesitation, and coaches her little brother into coming up now.      

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: PoppaGator
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 02:08 PM

I'm a little envious of those among you who have gotten to portray Santa in a completely non-commerical (i.e., non-photographic) situation. You just get the pure joy of relating to the kids without having to coax them into smiling, sitting still, etc., and there has to be much less pressure to keep the line moving.

Just thought of another bit of knowledge to pass along, related to kids crying with fear of Santa:

From age one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half (18-30 months), almost *every* child is petrified at the prospect of visiting Santa. Even those who seem happy and enthusiastic while waiting on line suddenly experience a change of heart when it's time to actually approach for their personal audience. It seems to be normal and almost universal; it certainly doesn't mean that a kid is abnormally fearful, or especially guilty about some "naughtiness" that Santa presumably knows about. They're just plain scared, irrationally so, and no none knows exactly what's going on in their little brains to cause this.

For children born on or about June 25 or summer solstice time, this period of irrational fear may well extend over two Christmases, at ages 1-1/2 and 2-1/2. On the other hand, the closer the birthday is to Christmas, the more likely that they'll have just the one Santa-phobic year, at age two.

Younger than 18 months, babies are usually fairly placid, all things being equal. If they're crying or fussy, it's usually for some common-enough reason, like lack of sleep or a loaded diaper. Babies that young *cannot* be easily persuaded to smile, however, and some parents can cause a lot of trouble (hubbub, delays, frustration on the part of others waiting their turn, etc.) if they insist upon a picture where the kid is smiling. When they're that young, the little ones look pretty cute even with a "straight" face, anyway -- they don't *need* to be smiling.

Speaking of diapers, by the way, I never found that pee-pee and poo-poo were occupational hazards of the Santa game. A lot of people ask, and seem to assume that this would be a constant problem. I suppose this is a tribute to modern disposable diapers, which don't, as a rule, leak. (Now, I'm not saying that I never *smelled* any baby excrement -- quite the contrary. But I never got any on me or on my costume.)

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 02:40 AM

I played Santa Claus some ten years ago (fake white beard but private owned pouch) in a school of a suburb. I did it as a substitute for another member of our fire brigade - who does it on a regular basis - because his son had joined this school, and he feared that his son would know him, and the magics of SC were spoiled.
This year I should do it at the social gathering of our library, but some days before I fell ill, and my part was done by a Santa Claudia.

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: CapriUni
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 11:07 PM

Thanks for your stories, PoppaG, the insights are wonderful (and folks, if you click on that link he provided above, you'll be able to see pictures of him in action)!

I've always wondered: with the young children, do you think the fear/shyness they show is the same that they'd show to every stranger, or is there a special aura around Nicholas that makes them more shy?
---

Several years ago, we were snowed in for 3 weeks, and, not having to go out "Into the World," my father let his beard grow out for the first time in his adult life... after the snow was cleared, he decided, since he was retired, not to ever shave it again. It's a bushy (but not long) beard, and he has noticed that people are often friendlier to him now than when he was a clean-shaven man... I definitely think there is a Santa Factor going on...

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: LadyJean
Date: 23 Dec 04 - 11:17 PM

I haunt toy sales and discount stores all year, getting things on the cheap to send to my friend The Reverend Peacock for kids in her little town in northern Michigan. There aren't a lot of stores up there, and most people are part time workers. So money can be a bit tight   
It is serious fun finding all the things. Getting them to the post office is another matter. The Christmas backache generally starts when I haul the box of toys to the post office.
It would really be simpler with reindeer, but I don't think I could keep any.

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: CapriUni
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 12:51 AM

No, Jean -- what you really need are elves! And lots of them!! They could each carry a smaller box, and you could save your back...

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: fat B****rd
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 05:28 AM

I "Santa'd" for my friends daughter's kids on Xmas Eve and proved once again that a beard is no barrier to drinking a can of beer.

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: CapriUni
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 01:42 PM

From Weelittledrummer:

I wrote two songs about my experience.

You should share them with Mudcat!!

Please?

(Ann -- who tries to be better than she is, sometimes)

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: CapriUni
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 02:42 PM

I've never played Santa-in-Costume, but this discussion has got me thinking of one of the first times I played "Secret Santa" in college -- I think it was my sophomore year.

We played for 5 days -- the final week before going home for the winter holiday. For the first 4 days, our gifts were to be small, no more than $1, stuffed into a sock hung on the wall; the final day, we'd present a larger gift, wrapped in a box, and all open them together, revealing our secret.

Well, we all wrote our names on slips of paper, and put them in a hat. I pulled the name of a nursing student. The nursing students only hung out with their classmates, not with the Humanities students, like me. I couldn't even match her name to the any of the faces in the room, and someone had to point out which one she was. And we didn't do hint lists, like we do here on Mudcat, either.

So, that first day, I was stumped. I filched an orange from the cafeteria salad bar, because when in doubt, it's always good to fall back on Ancient Tradition. But I knew I had to add something more. So I went into the college bookstore and scanned the snack and novelty items they had for sale. Should I get her a mini teddy bear, to make her laugh? Or a chocolate bar? Or a bag of microwave popcorn?

Just then, I heard a voice -- the way you do when your memory replays what someone has just said to you -- not whispered, but not exactly your own voice either: "Get her the chicken soup." And that's what I did: a Lipton's 4-pack of Instant Chicken Noodle.

Well, I hurried back to the dorm, looked around to be sure I wouldn't be spotted, shoved my two items into my santee's sock, and hurried to my own room. I was just fitting the key in my lock, when I heard my santee come in from outside, and go straight for her stocking; I paused to hear what her reaction would be.

"An orange!" I heard her exclaim. "And chicken soup! Just what I needed! I'm coming down with a cold!"

I couldn't help grinning as I slipped into my own room at last. But I have to admit a shiver went down my spine -- for who else but the real "Santa" would have known this?

I don't remember much else from that round of "Secret Santa"; I don't remember what other gifts I gave, and I don't remember what gifts I got.

But none of that really matters. At 21 years of age, I regained my belief in the Magical Nicholas. And that's the best gift of all.

A joyous Yuletide and blessed New Year to all of you!

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: Juan P-B
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 06:16 PM

I've been Santa at a country park near Portsmouth for 6 years now and some stories are well-worth repeating.

This year I had let my beard grow from January instead of June so it was quite magnificent and one Mum was overheard saying - "He's much more realistic than the one they had last year"(??)

I had a wee 4-years-old girl a couple of years ago who gave me a small parcel wrapped in Christmas paper - It contained her 'dummy' (soother) and a note saying "I am a big girl now and no longer need this - Can you find a little girl who needs one" This is only one of many 'tear-jerk' stories I could tell

I get an amazing amount of people who say "Tell Santa where you're going next week - To Lapland to see the REAL Santa" (Eh??)

I also have the Rock-Chicks as my elves and they have now got an entire 'history' for the three of us - right down to which two reindeer come to the park with us (you don't need the full sleigh with only three of you on a day-trip) and they choose which two reindeer names to use - it's a bit scary because they never choose the same two on consecutive days

I was in Southampton one day a couple of Christmasses ago and a shop (one of these 'hire by the day and sell Christmas tacky stuff) had a big sign in the window saying "FATHER CHRISTMAS WANTED - Apply within"
So in I went - They took one look and said I'd be ideal so I started to negotiate - They had no idea what hours they wanted or anything. So I said that I had the beard, the suit, the boots, and all they had to do was get the Police Authorisation - Their reaction? "What Police Authorisation?" They really expected to take in someone off the street and have kids climbing all over him - I'm afraid the H&S guidelines are VERY clear about how you deal with children in that environment.

In Summer 2003 I was MC'ing at the Eastleigh Summer festival and had just announced Rolf Harris on stage when a family of three came and stood beside me at the side of the stage - I assumed they were friends of one of the band members as they had managed to get backstage - The little girl (about 4 years old) looked at me and asked "Are you father Christmas?" I said "Yes but it's a BIG secret and no one is to know becqause this is what I like to do in the Summer" - A little later the security guys asked them to move into the main area as they weren't allowed backstage and this little voice rang out (during a space between Rolf's songs) "But Father christmas said it was OK and he's a mate of Rolf's"

I have decided to let the beard continue to grow and dye it in the summer to do any 'Green Man' type functions - It's amazing what you can achieve with these wash-in/out hair dyes

Anybody around Southampton want a Santa next year - Or if you fancy doing a spot yourself let me know

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: PoppaGator
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 09:49 AM

I had forgotten to mention it earlier, but I found that *many* parents (here in Louisiana, anyway) tell their kids that if they want presents from Santa, they have to grow up and give up their pacifiers. Almost every day, one or two toddlers would turn over their binky to me, swearing to give it up forever.

Not my proudest Santa moments...

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 12:10 PM

I played Santa for three years for a food drive that's quite popular in Louisiana. Being active duty I'm not allowed to grow the beard so it had to be the fake variety. Thankfully it wasn't a pose for pictures type although I'm not camera shy. I would pose with the kids if the folks had a camera and for the poor folks who didn't we'd take pics with the unit digital camera and e-mail or print and send them to the folks. I used to get the truckers driving by to sound their horns!

I've found approaching the kids on their level rather than making them come to someone sitting down on a throne helps alleviate some of the fear.

My best moment was a fifteen year old girl who was mentally challenged. She really believed! It felt so good to be Santa! All she wanted were some boots and a skirt. I repeated her requests loud enough so mom could hear and she nodded which meant I could make the promise. She waved and blew Santa a kiss as they drove off.

That's not to mention that some older girls have some Santa fantasies too! It's good to be the Santa!

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 04:15 PM

No the two songs were rubbish. I'll look out the line dance one and send it you. I'm not sure I ever recorded the other one, which as I remember was slightly better.

hope you had a nice Christmas Ann, and all you Santas out there!

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: CapriUni
Date: 28 Dec 04 - 06:46 PM

Yes, I did... and I'm still having it (I believe in the whole "12 days" thing, if only in my own mind).

Subject: RE: BS: Ever Play Santa??
From: GUEST,petr
Date: 29 Dec 04 - 06:10 PM

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.