All season leading up to Christmas, hopeful children write their letters and dream of busy elves creating special presents just for them. They cannot help but be enveloped in the festive spirit as parties and get-togethers bring treats, friends, and a special visit from Santa. Even adults cannot resist the chance to relive their own memories of Jolly Old St. Nick. What better way to revive and rekindle the magic of the season than by hiring a Santa for your event, function or family gathering?
But, where do you start?
Why Hire a Santa?
The simple explanation is the magic.
Having a good Santa performer brings a magical sense to a get-together and, if favors and presents are being handed out, or if there is a desire to entertain the kids with stories or carols, it relieves the host of that job, and allows them to circulate and to enjoy the party. At adult parties, a good Santa moving table to table or through the crowd can make your guests feel attended to, while you are engaging others or busy with food etc. Another welcoming body.
What Should You Consider When Hiring a Santa?
Deciding on what Santa to hire for your event can come down to several factors, but the kind of event you are planning should be a major consideration.
When your party is a small group of adults, close friends and family, or as a bit of a joke thing, anyone in a Halloween style cheap Santa costume doing it for free is sufficient. If you want it to be a bit more professional then you might look for someone cheap with a more traditional suit.
If your party includes believers, children, then someone in a cheap suit with a fake beard falling off their face should not be your goal. Uncle Bill, who has already had a few and who was so much fun at the last adult party, does not fit the bill unless your goal is to kill the magic of Santa or be prepared to admit it was a Santa helper, because Santa is so busy.
Authenticity Is Key
There are very good Santa’s that take the time to spirit gum on their designer beards. But, kids today, especially the young believers are difficult to fool. A fake costume beard and wig, loosely attached over the ears with loops will not fool most all. Many want to pull the beard to see if it is real. A well-attached designer beard might at least withstand a small tug. In addition, children will be looking up at the beard, in most cases from well below, not head-on and gaps from the face and head will be noticed by them. Protect the magic. *As a real bearded Santa, I have a prejudice ;).
If your party involves a lot of children and is less connected than close family and friends, I strongly encourage you to hire a professional Santa. If you are hiring on behalf of an organization, a company, a school, daycare, parent-teacher group, your kids’ sports team etc., it should be considered a requirement and be budgeted for, no matter how well you might think you know a possible volunteer.
Where to find a Santa for hire?
Obviously Santa can be anywhere, and really, anytime, but where do you find a Santa?
Well, the old days of pulling out the telephone book, or yellow pages, is long past. On the internet, there are many Santa focused hiring websites where one can choose from a list of Santa profiles, as well as many Santa’s who handle their own booking through their website (like myself!). Then, of course, many traditional talent agencies provide various types of entertainers including Santa’s. These may be found under entertainment, talent agencies, event planners, or you can just search “Santa for hire” or “hire a Santa”.
If you work for a company that does an annual Christmas party, you could ask the person who normally handles that, or you could ask friends for recommendations. Many Santa’s will work directly with you.
What Does a Santa Hire Cost?
The cost to hire a Santa will vary from individual Santa to hiring platform to talent agency. It is important to be aware that hiring platforms and agencies will charge a significant fee over what the individual Santa receives, this can be anywhere from 20% to 40%. Working directly with your own Santa, even with a limited budget, may mean you can update your game considerably.
What Information Should Your Santa Hire Provide?
- The Santa should be able, and should be requested, to provide or show a recent (updated every 2 to 3 years) police check as well as proof of performer’s liability insurance. Any professional performer should carry both as protection for their clients as well as themselves. If you are hiring for someone other than yourself, you should check their requirements, and meet or exceed those. I personally would not be responsible for the hiring, if neither is required, for any non-family or close friend situation and even be careful with the latter of those. Have management do the actual hiring.
- While not a general requirement one might enquire about their experience, what brought them to doing Santa and what training, research preparation they have done. Are they a professional in other words? How do they prepare for a gig?
When Should I Plan to Hire a Santa?
Santa works well at any time of day or evening.
But be aware, professional Santa’s start getting booked as early as August. As soon as you know the date, if you want your choice, reserve a Santa. Many have deposits that are returnable provided sufficient notice is given for them to be re-booked is available. Be aware of the policy before paying a deposit and it should be in writing. Be aware that late-night and Christmas eve or Day may be at a premium. Weekends book up the first.
How to Make Your Santa Experience Magical?
Focus On the Details
- Will Santa read books to your children? Does Santa bring and choose the books themselves or will you provide your children’s favourites?
- Will Santa hand out treats like candy canes? Providing your own will help to avoid any potential dietary or other concerns.
- Will Santa hand out gifts? Will you provide the bag or is Santa to bring their own? *Obviously, Santa does not provide the gifts in this situation, unlike Christmas eve
Identify Children in Advance
There are many great ways to increase the magic of a visit with Santa. Make sure to have the name, age and sex of your child listed on the package. Advise Santa in advance by calling the child up by name. Be aware that in multi-cultural settings, names are sometimes difficult to pronounce. Consider providing a Santa elf to assist.
Have an Action Plan
- Ensure how Santa will appear, will they arrive in costume or have a place to change?
- How and who do they contact on arrival? Will someone meet them and show them in.
- Will there be music supplied ie. “Here comes Santa Claus”?
- If having your event outside, make sure to let Santa know.
- Do you have an escape plan ready for Santa, how do they know when to leave? Sometimes walking out can be a challenge, so an organized leaving plan is good, ie: everyone including Santa sings “We wish you a Merry Christmas” as Santa exits before the end.
Manage Your Children
Parents should make sure to remain responsible for their children’s actions, Santa is not a babysitter. If you want pictures on Santa’s lap or beside Santa on a bench, you should place and remove your child yourselves. Assess acceptance by your child, and be ready, children can become distressed suddenly and react quickly.
During photo time, have another person take the picture. Santa having to grab and hold a distressed child until a parent returns, kind of destroys the magic, and can distress other shy children. Santa always has white cloth gloves on, or at least should, and this can impact holding a squirming child.
Christmas is magical, work with your Santa, to maximize the experience.
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Hire Santa Dave for your Holiday party or event today!
Featured Photo © Gary Evans Photography www.mysantaexperience.ca