To help you make Santa’s visit great, the elves have prepared a list of suggestions to help guide you through this magical experience with Santa! 

TIPS & HINTS FOR A GREAT VISIT FROM SANTA

1. RESERVE A SPECIAL PARKING SPACE FOR SANTA:

The parking space should be as close to where he is visiting as possible. Remember, Santa is a senior citizen, with a few extra pounds, and wearing a heavy suit that gets very hot. Have some fun and put a sign out “reserved for Santa.” If someone reserves the parking space with their car, they can move it when Santa calls saying he is a few minutes away. If your event is at a hotel, office building or company facility, try to make arrangements for Santa to park in the valet or loading area. Again, you can mark the space with a sign. Close parking makes it easier for Santa to arrive fresh and ready to bring joy to your family and guests.

2. HAVE YOUR GIFTS READY:

Santa does not bring any candy or gifts with him. He will gladly hand out candy and gifts you provide. If you want Santa to hand out gifts, they should be well labeled. We suggest writing directly on the gift with a large black marking pen, as tags can easily fall off. All packages should fit into a 35-gallon trash bag and not weigh more than 40 pounds total. Have someone greet Santa outside and help transfer the gifts to his “Santa” bag. If you have more gifts, Santa will usually ask a couple of “big kids” (adults) to be honorary elves and bring in the extra gifts.

3. HAVE YOUR CAMERAS READY:

Be sure to have all cameras, camcorders and go-pros ready. Make sure batteries are fresh or fully charged. All photos taken of Santa Tom, whether by individuals or professional photographers, are for the private and personal use of the client and may not be used for commercial or promotional use without the written permission of Santa Tom.

4. HAVE A SPECIAL CHAIR FOR SANTA:

Folding chairs, plastic chairs, and low chairs are not good. Santa likes a good sturdy straight-back chair with no arms (perhaps a kitchen or dining chair). He should be able to sit comfortably with the chair supporting him plus a child on each knee.

5. PLACE THE CHAIR IN A HOLIDAY SETTING:

A chair in front of a decorated tree or wall will give your photos more impact. Place a wreath, a few Christmas cards or your children’s drawings on the wall to make a wonderful difference. Leave a foot or two between the chair and tree or wall. This allows others to gather around and behind Santa’s chair for group photos. Lit fireplaces do look nice but, putting Santa too close to a real fire is not good for his comfort or health.

6. GET EVERYONE TOGETHER BEFORE SANTA ENTERS:

Santa’s contracted time begins the minute he arrives. Time spent getting everyone together is part of your time. Santa will call when he is a few minutes away from arriving. That’s your cue to have someone go outside and greet Santa, and for you to get everyone together. If Santa is to bring in gifts, the person greeting him can help Santa fill his bag. If you have a large group of children to see Santa, you should assign someone to be Santa’s helper and coordinate each child’s visit with Santa. At the right moment, Santa’s helper should call each child by name to see Santa, one at a time.

7. THINK ABOUT PHOTOS FOR EVERYONE:

Yes, some teenagers will shy away or think it is too childish to sit on Santa’s lap for a photo. Don’t worry, Santa can stand up for a “buddy” photo. And what about grandma and grandpa? Take a photo with Santa and grandma hugging. And nothing is more fun than having Santa ask grandpa if he has been a good boy.

8. PAYMENT DUE TO SANTA:

If there is a balance or payment due to Santa, place it inside a Christmas card or envelope. It never looks appropriate when someone hands cash to Santa. So, as Santa is departing, hand him the envelope and say something like “Thank you Santa, and here is a Christmas card for you and Mrs. Claus.”

9. SANTA NEVER BREAKS FROM HIS CHARACTER:

This is very important and something most adults don’t mean to do. Please don’t say things to Santa like “You’re the best Santa I’ve ever seen” or “Where did you get your costume?”. And never ask “How long have you been playing Santa?”. It is very important that you, and everyone else, treat Santa Tom as Santa Claus and not as someone playing the part. Please help keep the magic of Christmas for the children and others.