I’m in Charge (And That's a Good Thing)

Disclaimer:

The Santa Blog is written by Dave, not Santa. It is designed to be fun, humorous, and informational. It is not written in character and not for “true believers.”

2025 was the year for me that Santa went from a hobby to an actual business. I do it because I love Christmas. I've always loved Christmas. Like listen to Christmas music all year round kind of obsession. And in 10th grade when I could grow a full beard already, I had already made up my mind that my retirement goal was to move to or even own a Christmas tree farm and play Santa Claus. Circumstances that you can read about elsewhere on this site, and elsewhere, made the second part of that dream come true sooner rather than later. But I kind of figured this would just be a few little Santa appearances on the side here or there... I do have a day job afterall. This past year though, I ended up making 17 appearances for 12 different clients. Doesn't seem like a lot, but there were only 4 weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. You do the math. This gave me a crash course in the business and the less fun parts of being Santa. And we're going to chat about one of those things... something I did for the first time this season... the Mall Santa Visit.

I didn't play Santa at a mall (well that's not true, I did have a few hours at a Department Store), but it was the same idea. I'm not supposed to name drop this place, but it's on my social and it's a very large outdoor and sporting goods retailer. In an alternate universe, you might call it Trout Expert Stores. Wink Wink. So it's not a "mall" but the theory is there. You show up, you wait in line, maybe a really long line. You get one picture taken by someone who maybe doesn't even know what a camera is. They try and sell you some package of that lovely photos. Your kids are losing it because they're super excited to see Mr. Claus (until they actually see him and decide to be shy), they don't want to wait in line any longer, you're hungry, someone has too pee (probably me). You finally get to the front of the line and you get what, two minutes? 90 seconds of that is getting little Taylor to actually look at the camera. It's not the best situation, for anyone really. But where I was, it was free. Even at the mall, $40 or $50? It's a good bit less than hiring me directly, or getting a photog to do some private mini-sessions. I get it, we're professionals, and we are expensive.

But let's focus in on those two minutes. To be honest, I don't love it either. If your child is a little timid, or you have a special need, or anything goes awry, Santa doesn't have the time to meet them at their level. The kiddos don't have the time to warm up before everyone around them starts getting impatient. So you now have the choice to hand them to me and let them cry for the photo or get in a picture you weren't planning on being in. The kid who was so excited just five minutes ago to tell the Big Man what they wanted for Christmas, or how excited they were about something that happened is just gone. And you're bundling them up to pay for your digital download or your shutterfly ornament, and Santa's on to the next.

The good news is, I'm in charge. You didn't come to see the "elves", or the set up, however nice it may be. And you probably didn't come to shop. The store is hoping you get in the spirit and share a few of your dollars with them, but you're there for a reason. So even though I have no authority on paper, I'm not the store manger, I'm not even an employee, this whole thing only works because I'm there. You came to see a guy with a white beard and a funny red hat. It gives me the BMOC powers. Because if I'm not good, if you leave me upset, you don't know that I'm not their Santa. You blame them, you don't spend your dollars, you might not come back. Ever. So I hold the cards. And that's good for you in one sense...

and it's also why the line isn't moving...

I want to give you, your child, whomever is there, the full Santa visit, the best I can in

those few moments. Yes, I'm mindful of the time. If you're just asking me the same five questions and dilly-dallying, I'll gently try to move you along. But overall, I hope the extra 15 to 20 minute wait for you to give that extra moment of meaningful interaction is worth it. Some folks just need it. Maybe that isn't you and your group. You just want your photo to send to Grandma and you're moving along, but for those that do it could be so much more. There's people who have recently lost someone that just want that hug from SC, or they're going through a tough time, and this is a little bit of joy in the darkness. I'm going to give those folks their moment in every location I find myself, whether I have a two minute timer or I have all day. As they say "Everyone is going through something you know nothing about".

This season there was a special lady that came to the Trout Export Store. I won't speculate as to the type of special, but she was really going through it. She came to me alone. There must of been some miscommunication at the front of the line, or just lack of awareness, as she unintentionally butted into the family in front of her and got sent back to wait til they were done. So she's already been knocked down a peg. And she reads me this letter about how therapy is going well, but she's moving and really worried about it etc. So it took her some time to get through it. And then since she's alone she wanted a selfie on her phone. She didn't have someone to take the picture while the store photo was being taken. And, I don't know maybe it was a new phone or just updated, but when she opened the camera app, apple was trying to tell her something and there was a pop-up blocking the camera and she couldn't figure it out. Now the "elves" are getting antsy, the line isn't moving, and they say "let's take the picture now". I really don't have much concept of time in these moments, but we're talking four minutes, five at this point. The young lady gets a little flustured, drops her phone in her bag and sighs. Naw, this ain't happening this way. I don't know the full story, but I know she needs her moment with Santa. I pull her phone back out, clear the pop up and we take the selfie. I tell her she's here to see me, don't worry about those folks. I got you. We take the store picture, she gives Santa a hug, tells him she loves him and we move along.

Five or six minutes. Did it make everyone wait a little longer, yes. Will we make that time up with some older kids who are "over it" and some puppy pictures. Probably. But that person needed that time in that moment. I believe it made a difference for her.

I'm sure there's a lot of Santa's out there who do this for the other reason. They might have just moved her along. Your wait time gets cut down by three or four minues, but maybe now she leaves in the wrong headspace. That's not me and that's not why I do Santa. In real life, I'm a curmudgeon. I don't like being bothered or inconvienced in the slightest. I'm probably right with you going "why is this dang line taking so long". But that suit goes on and Santa takes over. It's my small way of bringing a little light and kindess and joy into a world that can always use a little more of it.

The moral of this blog is if you're wondering why this line is wrapped around the store to wait for Santa, it's my fault. And I will own that. So plan accordingly. Treat your Santa visit like Disney World. Bring some snacks, give the kids a gameboy (do those still exist?) to pass the time in line. It's going to take a little longer to get there, but when you do get to the front of the line you'll understand why.

It's because I'm in charge, and I'm trying my best to give you the Santa you need in the moment you need it.