Santa Claus is coming to town. And he is making bank.

[Michael Rielly]

 

Santa Claus is coming to town. And he’s making bank. - The Boston Globe

WWW.BOSTONGLOBE.COM

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New England impersonators say playing St. Nick can be a sophisticated and lucrative affair, particularly when Santas are in short supply.

 

[Michael Rielly]

Sadly the portrayal of Santa Claus has become a warped version of ComicCon. There are "Santas" everywhere -- often appearing at the same events. It saddens me when I hear a child tell me "I just saw the 'other' Santa at..."

 

My grandfather once said, "It's wrong to make money while pretending to be a Saint." Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) was a real person who gave to others without anything in return. We should be Santa Claus for the love of people -- not the love of money or fame. Maybe we should get back to that.

[Sundblom Santa]

2 hours ago, Michael Rielly said:

Sadly the portrayal of Santa Claus has become a warped version of ComicCon

I shudder just thinking about it.

2 hours ago, Michael Rielly said:

My grandfather once said, "It's wrong to make money while pretending to be a Saint." Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) was a real person who gave to others without anything in return. We should be Santa Claus for the love of people -- not the love of money or fame. Maybe we should get back to that.

Your grandfather was a wonderful man. Unfortunately, many people nowadays portray Santa without any concern for saintly character and love for others. They buy a suit (often just a cheap costume), then make bank and ignore the less fortunate (whether they’re poor children, adults with special needs, the elderly, or sick children). They don’t care about the young, or the young at heart.

[Drosselmeyer]

sadly for many people there is no joy or honor anymore - only money - and they will monetize just about anything for profit - I am happy if I break even with what I do during the season - if my suits, etc get paid for then I am happy - I do some pro bono work too - but whatever the venue I always try to give my best portrayal - I certainly don't "make bank" . . . 

[Fezziwig]

This past weekend at PetSmarts across the USA, they had a deal where you could sign up for a free photo with your pet and Santa Claus! I'm including the photo they used to advertise the event, and the Kris Kringle we actually got. I was flabbergasted when I saw the "Santa" at my local store. From what I've gathered, PetSmart pretty much just had one of the employees at each location don the red suit. I read some mentions of locations having teenage girl Santas who forgot their beard, people who smelled like they just got off their smoke break, and so on.

 

Now I assumed a free photo meant for pets wasn't going to attract the best quality Santa, but there were a lot of young children there with their four legged companions looking very confused and crestfallen. It's hard to not be disappointed when you're just expecting the bare minimum and you don't even get that.

Edited December 18, 2023 by Fezziwig

[Sundblom Santa]

2 hours ago, Fezziwig said:

This past weekend at PetSmarts across the USA, they had a deal where you could sign up for a free photo with your pet and Santa Claus! I'm including the photo they used to advertise the event, and the Kris Kringle we actually got. I was flabbergasted when I saw the "Santa" at my local store. From what I've gathered, PetSmart pretty much just had one of the employees at each location don the red suit. I read some mentions of locations having teenage girl Santas who forgot their beard, people who smelled like they just got off their smoke break, and so on.

 

Now I assumed a free photo meant for pets wasn't going to attract the best quality Santa, but there were a lot of young children there with their four legged companions looking very confused and crestfallen. It's hard to not be disappointed when you're just expecting the bare minimum and you don't even get that.

What is it with “bad Santa’s?” @Black Hills Santa just recently mentioned an event with an unprofessional Santa in his neck of the woods. I don’t understand the lack of quality. I think the trend of “bad Santa’s” is only getting worse. That’s all the more reason for those of us who take our Santa work seriously to continue to step up our game (in wardrobe, education, and mentorships).

[Black Hills Santa]

Some of us receive compensation from some of our performances. Many others tend to do performances for free. As long as someone is giving their best and doing their best with their heart in the right place, that's what really counts.

Edited December 19, 2023 by Black Hills Santa

[Black Hills Santa]

3 hours ago, Fezziwig said:

This past weekend at PetSmarts across the USA, they had a deal where you could sign up for a free photo with your pet and Santa Claus! I'm including the photo they used to advertise the event, and the Kris Kringle we actually got. I was flabbergasted when I saw the "Santa" at my local store. From what I've gathered, PetSmart pretty much just had one of the employees at each location don the red suit. I read some mentions of locations having teenage girl Santas who forgot their beard, people who smelled like they just got off their smoke break, and so on.

 

Now I assumed a free photo meant for pets wasn't going to attract the best quality Santa, but there were a lot of young children there with their four legged companions looking very confused and crestfallen. It's hard to not be disappointed when you're just expecting the bare minimum and you don't even get that.

Oy gevalt

[santaparker]

3 hours ago, Fezziwig said:

This past weekend at PetSmarts across the USA, they had a deal where you could sign up for a free photo with your pet and Santa Claus! I'm including the photo they used to advertise the event, and the Kris Kringle we actually got. I was flabbergasted when I saw the "Santa" at my local store. From what I've gathered, PetSmart pretty much just had one of the employees at each location don the red suit. I read some mentions of locations having teenage girl Santas who forgot their beard, people who smelled like they just got off their smoke break, and so on.

 

Now I assumed a free photo meant for pets wasn't going to attract the best quality Santa, but there were a lot of young children there with their four legged companions looking very confused and crestfallen. It's hard to not be disappointed when you're just expecting the bare minimum and you don't even get that.

i will be writing them a sternly but kindly worded email. this is not ok. 

[santaparker]

3 hours ago, Fezziwig said:

This past weekend at PetSmarts across the USA, they had a deal where you could sign up for a free photo with your pet and Santa Claus! I'm including the photo they used to advertise the event, and the Kris Kringle we actually got. I was flabbergasted when I saw the "Santa" at my local store. From what I've gathered, PetSmart pretty much just had one of the employees at each location don the red suit. I read some mentions of locations having teenage girl Santas who forgot their beard, people who smelled like they just got off their smoke break, and so on.

 

Now I assumed a free photo meant for pets wasn't going to attract the best quality Santa, but there were a lot of young children there with their four legged companions looking very confused and crestfallen. It's hard to not be disappointed when you're just expecting the bare minimum and you don't even get that.

i reported this to petsmart customer service. if i took my buddy into petsmart and this was the samta i would be so angry

[Rob Thompson]

On a personal note, I have no problem with Santa's making money at all,

Is it wrong to expect payment, I dont think so, when you calculate the travel expenses, suits etc, it can mount up to a considerable sum of money as such for many Santa's the opportunity to be altruistic may be financially beyond their means..

We have a wide mix of Santa;s performing in a  variety contexts, from  full time, year round paid Santa's, Santa's who compile and write books, design Santa goods to sell, to those that provide occasional school or charity visits, and everything in between,  as long as the service delivered is from the heart, of a high standard and the recipients are happy with that service, its OK with me

For my part, I have an even balance between payment and free sessions and whenever Im given additional money I donate that to local charity, and toy appeals etc

I agree there are quite a few Santa;s, over here and most likely elsewhere that are in the Red Suit and motivated only by the money and provide virtually nothing by way of a Christmas experience to be treasured, indeed quite the opposite this is not and will never be my motivation. 
 I walk in my own Santa boots and Im comfortable in them.

( I do think I need a new pair though for next season, recommendations appreciated)  

[SantaJoe]

12 hours ago, Sundblom Santa said:

What is it with “bad Santa’s?” @Black Hills Santa just recently mentioned an event with an unprofessional Santa in his neck of the woods. I don’t understand the lack of quality. I think the trend of “bad Santa’s” is only getting worse. That’s all the more reason for those of us who take our Santa work seriously to continue to step up our game (in wardrobe, education, and mentorships).

It's always been that way. We just see it more, because social media. 

[Drosselmeyer]

more drivel . . . . 

Santa makes money and magic at the mall

WWW.FOXBUSINESS.COM

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Santa is coming to town and he's making sure he gets paid his fair share.

 

[Michael Rielly]

 

 

[Cliff Cringle]

On 12/19/2023 at 1:00 PM, Rob Thompson said:

On a personal note, I have no problem with Santa's making money at all,

Is it wrong to expect payment, I dont think so, when you calculate the travel expenses, suits etc, it can mount up to a considerable sum of money as such for many Santa's the opportunity to be altruistic may be financially beyond their means..

We have a wide mix of Santa;s performing in a  variety contexts, from  full time, year round paid Santa's, Santa's who compile and write books, design Santa goods to sell, to those that provide occasional school or charity visits, and everything in between,  as long as the service delivered is from the heart, of a high standard and the recipients are happy with that service, its OK with me

For my part, I have an even balance between payment and free sessions and whenever Im given additional money I donate that to local charity, and toy appeals etc

I agree there are quite a few Santa;s, over here and most likely elsewhere that are in the Red Suit and motivated only by the money and provide virtually nothing by way of a Christmas experience to be treasured, indeed quite the opposite this is not and will never be my motivation. 
 I walk in my own Santa boots and Im comfortable in them.

( I do think I need a new pair though for next season, recommendations appreciated)  

Well said. I only charge travel/costs for schools and churches, but I give my service freely for the Hospital I work at. Home visits or venue who are making money are the ones who have to pay me.

[Jeff Hillyard]

I'm a little skeptical of this article 🧐

For starters they claim one of the Santa's spent $13,000 in startup expenses, but he appears to be wearing a $250 Halco Suit.

Nothing wrong with the suit, I wear the exact same suit, but where did the other $12,750 go?

[Warrenton Santa]

Too many Santas with too many ego issues. My thinking is the following....can you really charge $150 per half hour/hour when in your real job you only made $30 an hour (nothing wrong with that income).

I would rather have a parent(s) be able to buy a nice toy instead of paying for a visit for Santa. I had a grandmother put my on layaway one for year for $50. I got a check for $10 a month. At the end of the visit, I gave her an envelope with her money back with interest. Just remember the true reason for the season.

[Santa Johnny Boy]

On 12/20/2023 at 8:47 AM, Drosselmeyer said:

more drivel . . . . 

Santa makes money and magic at the mall

WWW.FOXBUSINESS.COM

---

Santa is coming to town and he's making sure he gets paid his fair share.

 

It's news articles like this that attract the scumbags out of hiding, thinking that this is an easy money job. A lot of them have a goal of knocking a legitimate Santa out of the way and trying to take over a whole territory. They spend thousands on suits and websites and try to fool your clients into thinking they're you. 

It happens in my area ever so often. These guys don't last. They're so focused on making money but they lack the heart of Santa Claus, and it shows.

[santaparker]

that is why i had problems with santa gene for a while. he was charging 150 dollars for pictures and pictures with him and the grinch was 175. im suprised that dr suess's estate didnt get involved legally