Felix,

Thank you for this well written and heartfelt commentary on the humility that should go hand and hand with the portrayal of Santa Claus.  Having been away from CN for a bit while getting my teaching year started, this was a wonderful first read and great reminder of where we should be in our heads.  

DL

Well said my friend!

Why are we so quick to judge another's portrayal? (ya, I said it) 

Apparently, it doesn't really matter.

2 hours ago, Felix Estridge said:

Apparently, paying any attention to someone else & making observations are frowned upon.

I guess some would see it that way.

I am coming into this late, but Felix, I completely agree! 

I keep my beard and much of my persona year around as it brings opportunities everywhere you go to speak into people's lives.   I encourage them in their faith in God, in their keeping their eyes open to look for ways to help and bless others and to be quick to be secret givers themselves.  I came to see many years ago that St. Nicholas was the dynamic person he was simply because he early learned how to put other peoples interests above his own, a very Christ like life.  We Santas have a very important and blessed role to fulfill.  And though I am not in easy access to working with Lone Star Santas right now, it is a very important role fulfilled in bringing hope to others devastated by some disaster.  Yet I continue to associate myself with it and promote it wherever I can.

God bless you my friend!  I am sorry I was not able to get together with you this past season...

Santa Kevin

First, let me correct Santa Drosselmeyer on the above quote.  While I wish I would have said it, but Felix Estridge wrote it in his original post to this subject.  It is a perfect quote relating to the message of this thread and Felix hit it with, "Do no harm to the legend."

On a related note, I am actually discipling a man to be a Santa.  He has become a dear friend to me and we get together about once a week for coffee or lunch.  He totally looks the part and has spent his career caring for children.  So being a Santa will fit him like lambs wool gloves.

I was a commercial photographer during my career.  Photographers are notorious for purchasing the latest gizmo and if you look into most of the camera bags of a pro, you will find all manner of gadgets that look new but that the photographer has used but once or never.  We Santas are a lot like that ourselves.  We see a Santa with a compass or set of gold keys or something and we have to rush out and purchase it for our own ensemble.  I think it is a man's thing.  However, Looking our best is important as a Santa.

My friend kind of resembles this behavior.  Thankfully for him, I believe he is well off and can afford all the capes and staffs and custom boots and customized suits.  Often when we get together, he will tell me of a source for belt buckles or shirts or whatever else.  And I keep telling him to just, "Be the man."  But this man is going to make a great Santa!

Some of us have spent small fortunes on our ensembles with customized this or that.  I have seen many stunningly beautiful suits of different Santas.  I myself have continued to improve my own look from year to year.  But the first priority for us is to "Be the man!"

Felix is the first Santa I met when I was considering this role 10 years ago.  Even in the off season, he looked the part, but his demeanor was what really impressed me.  And as I studied about who St Nicholas was and the legends and history of the man, I found I could easily identify because I myself had spent my adult life serving and loving children.  And besides reading up on who St. Nicholas was, get involved in local Santa gatherings and organizations.  We all learn a lot from each other that can make us better Santas.  

Look for opportunities to ply the character all through the year.  Volunteer at children's hospitals.  When someone stops you on the street as a Santa, 'Be the man!"  

Thankfully, among the Santas I know, they are already doing this in many ways.  So if for nothing else, let this be a reminder and an encouragement for all of us toward becoming better at this.

Through our efforts at improving our portrayals, we will "Do no harm to the legend."