​Last night my wife, my sister, and my father came to see Santa at the Festival where I am booked and we got to get some truly great photos...but I've got to be honest, the real magic of the night came at the end of the night with the last family that I saw. They were a family of five.  Two boys ages 11 and 9 and a little girl, Allie, aged 7.

While her brothers just hopped up on my lap for the photos and couldn't wait to tell me what they wanted for Christmas, Allie stayed at her mother's side too scared to even stand next to Santa's throne, let alone sit on Santa's lap or even next to me for that matter.

Gary got the photos of me and her brothers and I heard what they wanted for Christmas and we chatted a bit about the items on their wish lists, but once the boys told me what they wanted, I started trying to listen more to Allie and her mother's conversation than the boys' descriptions of the toys they wanted; without letting them know I was paying closer attention to their sister, of course. And so, when her mom said, "don't you want to tell Santa what you want for Christmas?" Allie replied with a soft-spoken and timid "I already sent him my Christmas list."  Fortunately, I know what most little girls want for Christmas this year and, so, at that point when Allie said that she had already sent in her list, inferring that I should then already know what she wants for Christmas, well...magic happened.

She was standing with her mother just at the top of the stairs to the stage, about 8 to 10 feet away from me and I turned to her and said, "Allie, you sent me your Christmas list, right?" She nodded. So I asked her, "and on that list you asked me to bring you some LOL dolls?"  Her eyes got big and she nodded.  "And some Barbies?" She said softly, "yes." And then I added, "OH! And of course, there's the LOL dollhouse, too, right?" At this point she wasn't just wide-eyed, I swear that I could see a little twinkle in her eye as I turned back to her brothers who were still sitting on my lap.

She turned to her mother and asked if I was the real Santa, so I turned back to her and said, "Well Allie, you're the real you aren't you?" To which she said, "yes." So I said, "then doesn't it make sense that I'm the real me?" She said, "yes" and I could tell that she was getting past her fear and anxiety and getting a little excited. 

And that's when the real magic happened...

Allie: "um...Santa?"
Me: "Yes, Allie?"
Allie: "um...was that really you in the parade?"
Me with a big grin: "Which parade, Allie? There's lots of 'em ya'know!" 
Allie: "the big one with the balloons and Alabama led you in?"
Me: "You mean the University of Alabama marching band? THE Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade?" 
Allie nodding: "yes"
Me, gently motioning for her to come closer: "Come here, Allie...closer, it's okay..."
Me whispering: "Tell me what you think, Allie."
Allie whispering: "I think it really was you."
With that I brushed the side of my right nostril with the tip of my right index finger (how Santa activates his magic in "The Christmas Chronicles" movies), gave her a wink and finished by pursing my lips and placing my index finger over them softly telling her "shhhh..."

At that she lit up like a Christmas tree and this shy, timid, uncertain child was a true believer!
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I truly wish more people could experience the excitement and magic of Christmas the way a child does because that is something truly special.  To be able to witness it myself and even play a small part in helping to create some Christmas magic for a child is truly a cherished gift bestowed upon me

The simple answer is "yes." If a child asks about adults being on the naughty list, this may be a signal that the child is being abused or is otherwise in danger. Keep in mind that it could also just be that they realize that their family is economically unstable or that mom or dad lost their job and they're trying to understand or maybe it's just idle curiosity. I would likely say something like, "before I answer that question - and I will answer it honestly for you - but before I do, could you please tell me why you're asking?" Sometimes kids are just curious and don't even know why they're asking a question. That's okay! But if they're asking because they're being abused or are in some other danger and they're trying to cry for help, then hopefully they will somehow disclose this when they're asked to tell me why they're asking that specific question. Like I said, though, sometimes kids are just curious!

If daddy or mommy is in jail, then yeah, mommy or daddy is on the naughty list. This is sadly not all that uncommon. ​And if your child asks about that then I will have to be honest and tell them, "yes, mommy or daddy is on the naughty list and that's why they are in jail. It's like a time out for grown ups when they get put on the naughty list. But, when their time is up, if they're good, then they can get off the naughty list.

Do bring your child. Or don't...I mean, that's up to you. Adults are welcome to come sit on Santa's lap and tell me what you want for Christmas, too!

Do not force your child onto Santa's lap for any reason whatsoever!  I mean it. I get that you want a photo of your kid(s) on Santa's lap, but some children are freaked out at the thought of sitting on some stranger's lap. Just because I'm Santa doesn't mean that I'm not a stranger. And kudos to you for teaching your child stranger danger, even if by accident! Some kids are super excited to see Santa and have a wonderfully magical experience and it's understandable that you want that for your child, too. But sometimes, the kid is just too freaked out. It could be because there's too many people with too many bright lights telling him/her too many things causing a major case of sensory overload; or it could be because they're not feeling well due to under/overeating that day; or perhaps they're just tired and cranky; or maybe they have gas and their bloated; or perhaps Venus is out of alignment; or possibly it's because who knows why?!? The point is that there are/can be any number of reasons why your kid is freaking out at the thought of sitting on Santa's lap, but none of them really matter. The fact remains that your kid is freaking out and you have two choices: traumatize the child or be their hero. That's it.  And don't expect Santa to force your child to stay on his lap.  I will not under any circumstances allow a scared child to be forced into a situation with Santa that they are clearly not comfortable with.  So don't be that parent that leaves Santa wondering if he should give you a visit from Child Services for Christmas! 

Do be attentive and respectful of your child's fear.  I get that you want a picture of your child with Santa and that you've waited for what seems like forever for it.  Often times the kids are excited at the thought of seeing Santa and sitting on his lap, but sometimes that excitement turns to fear or all out terror when they get up to the man in The Big Red Suit and they freak out.  Just recognize that this happens sometimes and that the expectations of the visit don't always become the reality of the experience.  Your child may be counting on you to comfort them and make them feel safe.  So rather than ignoring their fear, be their hero and do your best to comfort them and make them feel safe.

Don't threaten your child with the naughty list or no presents if they don't smile! There's no such thing as a nice or cute photo of child that's scared or upset and possibly being traumatized by the experience. And anyone who thinks there is such a thing needs to have their head examined. True, many times a really skilled photographer who is really good at working with kids can get the child to calm down and even smile through silliness and/or props; but sometimes it's a lost cause. Hopefully you know your child well enough to spot when it's a lost cause before it gets too upsetting for the kid. But if you don't or you misread your child's response - which can easily happen - just recognize that you may be told to get in the picture with us, or hold your own child while Santa sits next to y'all.  And please DO NOT under any circumstances say stupid crap like "smile or you're not going to get any presents!" Or "you better sit still and smile or Santa's going to put you on the naughty list!" It's not cute. You may think that it's funny, or somehow conducive to incentivizing your child to smile, but it's not. It's making things worse for the kid, making my job harder, and likely traumatizing your child. 

Do be patient. Look, I know that the lines to see Santa can get pretty long at Holiday festivals and shopping malls no matter when you come to see me. And those long lines can lead to some very short fuses. Especially when someone's little Johnny or little Jane seems like they're paying rent on Santa's lap! But think of it this way: each child has different levels of comfort with Santa. And each child has different needs when it comes to expressing themselves in front of the man in the Big Red Suit. Would you want Santa brushing off your child or shortchanging you and, more importantly, your child's visit with Santa just so that the next child can have the same cut rate experience? Wouldn't it be better to learn some more patience and be the positive example for your child, rather than showing them that impatience and tantrums are acceptable behavior to "get what you want?" Don't you want your child to have as magical an experience as possible while you (or the photographer) capture the magical moment? Shouldn't all the children get that same individualized attention? Remember the scene in "A Christmas Story" when Ralphie goes up to see Santa in the shopping mall and Santa and his elves are all jerks to the kids treating them like they're on a conveyor belt of crappy Santa experiences only to end with them being shoved down a slide? Is that​ the experience you want for your child? I didn't think so!

​Don't be drunk! I mean, I really thought that this would go without say, but one should be on their best behavior when visiting with Santa. If drunk is your best behavior, then I suggest you only visit Santa if you're asking for rehab for Christmas, otherwise, you're likely already well established on the naughty list. But, you can always get off the naughty list...

Tonight was my first appearance on the main stage inside Santa’s Village at the James Island County Park Holiday Festival of Lights. Overall it was a magical night. I don’t know how many children and families got their pictures taken with me tonight, and some of tonight went by so fast that it was a blur; but there were other moments that I will cherish for many years to come. So many children came on to the stage and rushed to give me a hug. Some children started off too shy to talk only to give me a big hug before leaving. 

Three children (all siblings) brought me their Christmas lists. The two girls handed me their lists, which appeared to be written on scrap paper, while their brother had three pages torn out of a notebook. I will keep these lists and remember the experience fondly. 

For one night I got to step out of “the real world” and enter one where magic really does exist. A world where children can ask for anything they want - like the little girl who said all she wanted was for people to nice to each other and for people to love one another; and they can  ask Santa those burning questions - like where’s Rudolph! A world where Santa may be the biggest attraction, but the children are the real celebrities. A world where the ugliness of “the real world” simply doesn’t exist. It’s a world where Christopher ceases to exist in what feels like an instant as he is transformed into Santa Clause. It’s a world where no kid is too big or too small.  It’s a world that I can’t wait to go back to!

Anyone who knows me knows that I have passion for empowering abused children and helping kids, in general.  Last month I was offered the opportunity to become a professional paid Santa. Since accepting that offer I have bleached my hair and beard (side note: I lost about 50% of my beard in the process and about half the length of my hair! 😞), I have officially become a Real Bearded Santa (I’m a member of both FORBS and IBRBS), and I’m listed in a couple of databases for anyone looking to hire a professional Santa. 
 
Recently I was asked why I love being Santa so much and another friend told me that his daughter still believed, and although he didn’t think she would, he hoped that she wouldn’t recognize me. I thought I would share what I told him because it helps explain why I love being Santa so much:
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“I can honestly say that when I don the suit and become Santa, something truly magical happens. I get to forget about all of the ugliness in the world and not let it touch me; my heart truly fills with joy, especially when I get to interact with the kids and see their smiles and their happiness and excitement. I get to help create a positive experience and memory for kids that hopefully lasts a lifetime. But even if it's just for that day or moment it really just fills me with so much joy that people who've known me for years sometimes have to do a double take to recognize me!”

All but one of pictures in the main slide show on the "Magical Moments" page were taken at the James Island Holiday Festival of Lights by Gary Coleman of Coleman Photography. Gary is fantastic with getting kids to smile! The photo of me standing in front of the blue backdrop, which is actually a large mural of the lighthouse that Gary had commissioned, was taken by Gary's friend, Chris Smith.

Unless otherwise credited/linked to Instagram, the other pictures on the site were taken by my wife. She has an amazing natural instinct and eye for photography!

Yes, I made quite the transformation - a Santafication, if you will!  I started by bleaching my hair and beard.  That process started with a trip to see Gavin Morris at his Mt. Pleasant, SC salon called Salon Indigo by Gavin.  He was the only person willing to try bleaching my hair and beard as aggressively as was needed to get me Santafied in time for the season.  If it wasn't for him, I would not have been able to complete the process!

After Gavin worked his magic and did the heavy lifting, my wife and I tackled the rest on our own...well, mostly on our own.  I sought the advice from the lovely ladies at Hair Graphics in Hanahan, SC.  Their continuing advice, along with the products they gave me, really helped my wife and I complete the look for the hair and beard.  Because of how aggressively I bleached my hair and beard, coupled with a few mishaps, I did lose about half of the length of my hair and half the volume of my beard.  But the biotin I have been taking since the start of the process has proven to be quite helpful in the growth of my hair, as well as adding to my hair's strength.

The final thing to do to get ready was to put on the Big Red Suit.  The rest of the process was simply a bit of Christmas Magic!

The short answer is: millions!  You see, there are millions of Field Elves that are dispatched to homes all over the world.  These Field Elves help keep an eye on kids and report back to me so I can keep the Nice List and the Naughty List up to date.  Field Elves are more commonly known as "Elf on a Shelf," and they're an important part of my operation.  Aside from Field Elves, there are also the elves that live and work in the North Pole.

I get this sort of question from adults fairly often.  When I'm in the Big Red Suit, my name is Santa Claus and I'm from the North Pole. That's it, really.  If pressed, I can go into a little more detail, but I won't "break character."  Remember that scene in "The Santa Claus" where Santa, played by Tim Allen, gets arrested and he's being asked his name and he keeps replying that his name is Santa in various languages?  Yeah, you can expect something like that from me, too!

Children often wonder how old I am.  Well, as of this post, I am 1,741 years old! I was born in the year 280 AD in a small village in what is now part of a country called Turkey.