The group consists of both experienced and newer Santas, gathering to seek advice and wisdom on various topics such as how to handle difficult situations, wardrobe choices, beard maintenance, and insurance concerns. “If someone wants feedback on their performance, we are here to help,” explained Dendy. “We recently had a custom bootmaker visit to discuss Santa boots. Our goal is to provide valuable information for the Santa community.”
At their recent meeting, attended by 14 out of approximately 30 members, the group embraced the festive spirit with red outfits, mustaches, and the sound of sleigh bells. Dendy himself wore a waistcoat adorned with candy canes over a shirt featuring a Christmas tree design. He noted, “On Saturdays in December, there is a high demand for Santas in red suits. Then in January, we reflect on our experiences and lessons learned.”
Many Santas, including Dendy, stumbled into the role unexpectedly. Encouraged by his wife two decades ago, Dendy found himself portraying Santa at a Christmas benefit event. This led to more opportunities and eventually a professional career as Santa. The idea for Sleigh Masters emerged as Dendy interacted with other Santas, recognizing the need for support and guidance in mastering the role and overcoming its challenges.
The Sleigh Masters group comprises diverse individuals with various backgrounds, such as a banker, an opera singer, a retired newscaster, and a former Disney World Santa. They often juggle regular jobs with their Santa commitments. The meeting included Eric Brown, who arrived in a festive Tesla Cybertruck, Trish Viszneki who transitioned from the entertainment industry to portray Mrs. Claus, Jacob Zufelt who combines DJ work with Christmas karaoke, and Betsy Modrzejewski who plays both Mrs. Claus and the Tooth Fairy.
Christopher Saunders, a Santa performer from Tool, initially had reservations about the role but now finds joy in bringing happiness to children. His wife, Elizabeth, accompanies him as Mrs. Claus to events. “After my first event, a little girl saw me and couldn’t contain her excitement,” shared Saunders. “There’s no better feeling than that.”
Interested in discussing the challenges and best practices of the role. Being a Santa has its celebrity status, making outings feel like being with a rock star, as mentioned by Elizabeth Saunders. Appearance is crucial, from head to toe, with the need to invest in a high-quality suit to avoid looking like a cheap imitation. Details such as boots, props, and even a throne-like chair are important considerations, along with grooming beards and moustaches. Some Santas go as far as bleaching their beards to maintain the iconic white look.
Larry Davis, a Santa performer from Waxahachie, Texas, shares how he transitioned into the role after a suggestion from a stranger on a camping trip. He now performs as Santa Larry alongside his wife Mrs. Mimi Claus for various events, including welcoming troops home at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Physique can vary among Santas, with some facing comments from adults about their size, as Phil Martin humorously shares. Challenges can arise from overzealous Mrs. Clauses, demanding parents, and even theft incidents, as experienced by Kirby Kinney. Bill Dendy recommends getting entertainer’s insurance to protect both belongings and avoid potential liability issues.
The Sleigh Masters group, initiated by Bill Dendy, provides a platform for North Texas Santas and Mrs. Clauses to network, share experiences, and discuss strategies for handling the demands and intricacies of their roles.
A retired construction executive now operates a Santa-suit-making business in North Texas to provide a platform for Santas to network and exchange best practices. At a recent meeting, Saunders, the only Black Santa present, shared a disturbing encounter at a warehouse store Christmas event where a young man took advantage of a photo opportunity to inappropriately touch him. Despite the discomfort, Saunders remained composed, urging for a quick photo to be taken. Rising in the Santa ranks, Dendy is known as a “performance Santa” who excels in engaging with audiences through storytelling rather than magic tricks. He emphasizes the importance of playing to one’s strengths, such as his talent for detailed narrative responses to children’s questions about Santa’s abilities. Dendy’s meticulous approach includes keeping a record of his visits and varying his Santa routines to ensure a fresh experience for returning families. He also sends personalized thank-you cards and unique gifts, like chocolate-covered cranberries labeled as “Reindeer Poop,” to add a special touch to his interactions. Dendy guides aspiring Santas through the progression from private gatherings to public appearances, stressing the significance of embodying the spirit of Santa Claus in all interactions. By prioritizing quality over quantity, Dendy aims to create meaningful connections with each child he meets.
“I’m going to work really hard so that you have the best Christmas ever,” Dendy said. “I did pretty good for you last year, didn’t I?”
It’s not all about LEGOs and hoverboards up there on Santa’s chair. The questions children pose can be uncomfortable and sometimes heartbreakingly poignant.
Santa performer Ed Taylor of Central Point, Oregon, oversees the Worldwide Santa Claus Network, which boasts more than 7,600 members globally.
Kids will sometimes ask if Santa is real, and others challenge, “Santa, what’s my name?”
“They all think Santa should know their name,” Taylor said. “What do you say?”
Dendy has encountered older kids crashing children’s parties and boldly stating that Santa isn’t real. In response, Dendy calmly acknowledges their beliefs but discreetly informs the host to manage the situation.
“You don’t want the kid’s belligerent attitude to disrupt the beliefs of all the other kids,” he explained.
However, there are moments when the questions posed by children are more profound. A child might ask, “I didn’t get anything last year. Was I bad?” Others inquire if Santa can mend their parents’ failing marriage or help their ailing grandmother recover. To address these sensitive inquiries, Dendy now provides tiny red books for Santas to show children that their requests have been noted.
During a meeting of North Texas’ Sleigh Masters, a group of Santa Claus performers who convene monthly in DeSoto, Texas, a member displayed one of the small red books produced by Bill Dendy, the group’s host. These books are used by Santas to jot down children’s special requests, fostering a sense of connection and care.
Rhyan Anderson, a Santa from Burleson, south of Fort Worth, shared how he incorporates Dendy’s books into his appearances. “I’ll say to kids, ‘Santa’s a toymaker, but when I get back to the North Pole, Mrs. Claus and all the elves are going to say a prayer for you,'” Anderson noted.
The Santas emphasize the importance of allowing children to express themselves and reassuring them that Santa is there for them. “Santa,” Christopher Saunders remarked, “is the world’s safe space. There are negative experiences. But the positive ones outweigh all of them.”
Taylor, from the global Santa network, urges fellow Santas to recognize that while their interactions with children may be brief, they can have a significant impact. “I love what Santa represents,” Taylor expressed. “Santa is this avatar of kindness and generosity, virtues that are timeless and beyond any religious tradition. I talk with kids about being kind and why that’s important – not just to get good things from Santa Claus, but to be good for goodness’ sake.”
