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Our picks
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The Children’s Friend
Michael Rielly posted an article in Literature,
Published by William B. Gilley in 1821, “The Children’s Friend. Number III. A New-Year’s Present to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve”, is believed to be the first book published in America to include lithographic illustrations. This book includes a poem about “Santeclaus” along with eight colored illustrations.
However, what makes this book significant is the poem and illustrations are thought to be the earliest known visual representation of Santa Claus in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. The poem also marks Santa’s first appearance on Christmas Day rather than December 6, the feast day of St. Nicholas.
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The Children’s Friend. Number III.
A New-Year’s Present to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve
by William B. Gilley, 1821
Old Santeclaus with much delight
 His reindeer drives this frosty night.
 O’er chimney tops, and tracks of snow,
 To bring his yearly gifts to you.
 The steady friend of virtuous youth,
 The friend of duty, and of truth,
 Each Christmas eve he joys to come
 Where love and peace have made their home”
 Through many houses he has been,
 And various beds and stockings seen,
 Some, white as snow, and neatly mended,
 Others, that seem’d for pigs intended.
 Where e’er I found good girls or boys,
 That hated quarrels, strife and noise,
 Left an apple, or a tart,
 Or wooden gun, or painted cart;
 To some I gave a pretty doll,
 To some a peg-top, or a ball;
 No crackers, cannons, squibs, or rockets,
 To blow their eyes up, or their pockets.
 No drums to stun their Mother’s ear,
Nor swords to make their sisters fear;
But pretty books to store their mind
 With knowledge of each various kind.
 But where I found the children naughty,
 In manners rude, in temper haughty,
 Thankless to parents, liars, swearers,
 Boxers, or cheats, or base tale-bearers,
 I left a long, black, birchen rod,
 Such as the dread command of God
 Directs a Parent’s hand to use
 When virtue’s path his sons refuse-
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- 1 reply
Picked By
Michael Rielly, -
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10 Essentials to Being a Better Santa
Santa Lou posted an article in Santa's Wisdom,
Here are some DOs and DON'Ts on being Santa
Treat every child with respect.
Never make fun of a child.
Look into the child’s eyes when you speak to them.
Speak softly. Children are sharing confidences with you.
Acknowledge a child’s requests even if you don’t understand them.
Never promise a toy request to avoid a child’s disappointment.
Never promise a pet. Santas a toymaker and only animals produce pets.
If the child can’t remember their wish list, assure them you know what they want.
Never leave a child wondering if Santa heard their Christmas wishes.
Every child worries about being on Santas “Naughty or Nice List”. Tell each child “You’re on the “Nice List.” It will bring happiness to everyone!  Â
Santa Lou Knezevich is the creator of the Legendary Santas Mentoring Program
Contact Santa Lou at: LegendarySantasMentoringProg@gmail.com-
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- 8 replies
Picked By
Michael Rielly, -
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How Do You Portray Santa Claus?
Santa Lou posted an article in Santa's Wisdom,
Portraying Santa is acting; it is a characterization of a mythical character.
Most of us never think of ourselves as actors, but we are. Certain characteristics of Santa Claus have been handed down from one generation to another. The way we dress and conduct ourselves all follow an established pattern.
Santa Claus is one of the most recognizable characters throughout the world. This came about from the advertising campaign of the Coke Cola Company and the creative painting genius, of Haddon Sundblom. Coke Cola was looking to increase winter sales of its soft drink and hired Sundblom to produce illustrations for prominent magazines. These illustrations appeared during the holiday season from the late 1930s into the early 1970s and set the standard for how Santa should look.
This characterization of Santa with rosy cheeks, a white beard, handlebar mustache plus a red costume trimmed in white fur is the image most everyone has in their minds. Unconsciously people are going to judge you against that image. If your beard isn’t white or you have a soiled suit it will register with the onlooker.
By the way, the majority of Sundblom's paintings depict Santa with a Brown Belt and Brown Boots. Not until his later illustrations did he change the color to Black for these items. Within the past few years many costume companies have offered the Coke Cola Suit and it has become very popular. You can tell it by the large buttons and absence of fur down the front of the jacket.
No matter how you portray Santa, be it home visits, schools, churches, parades, corporate events, malls, hospitals we all make an entrance and an impression! The initial impression we make determines if our client will ask us to return.
The 5 Second Rule
I have a theory: When you enter the presence of your audience you have about 5 seconds to make people believe you are the real Santa.
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- 18 replies
Picked By
Michael Rielly, -
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Not Everyone Can Be Santa!
Santa Lou posted an article in Santa's Wisdom,
Yes, I said it and it is not meant to hurt anyone’s feelings. I do view many Facebook sites along with websites and posted photos. Frankly, many of these postings should have never been put on public display.-
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- 10 replies
Picked By
Michael Rielly, -
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Auld Lang Syne
Michael Rielly posted an article in Christmas History,
Every New Year’s Eve at the stroke of midnight, millions around the world traditionally gather together to sing the same song, “Auld Lang Syne”. As revilers mumble though the song’s versus, it often brings many of them to tears – regardless of the fact that most don’t know or even understand the lyrics. Confusion over the song’s lyrics is almost as much of a tradition as the song itself. Of course that rarely stops anyone from joining in.-
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- 4 replies
Picked By
Michael Rielly, -
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