| I've a confession to make. I used to be Santa | | | | promise specific gifts (unless prompted by a nod |
| Claus. Not the real Santa, of course, but one of | | | | from the adult accompanying the child), don't |
| the Shopping Mall Santas who help out the Big | | | | refer to the child's "parents" or "mom and dad" |
| Guy in Red, filling in for him in department stores | | | | since many children are in single parent homes, or |
| and malls around the country talking to children | | | | are raised by other relatives -instead Santa would |
| and having their pictures taken with them. A great | | | | always refer to "your folks" - and (this is a big |
| part time job that lasts only one month a year, | | | | one) don't "Ho Ho Ho." Loud Ho Ho Ho's tend to |
| from the day after Thanksgiving up to Christmas | | | | scare some kids, especially the younger ones who |
| Eve.How did I get into this gig? By answering a | | | | are a little apprehensive of Santa to start with. |
| help wanted ad in the local newspaper that said, | | | | Santa should be jovial and friendly, but not scary, |
| simply, "Now Hiring Santas. Training Provided." And | | | | so the Ho Ho Ho's had to go.What I received |
| a number. I had no idea until that day that | | | | from this experience, in addition to the promised |
| temporary employment agencies provided Santas | | | | paycheck, was a feeling of having brought joy |
| for stores, but as a child I'd sat on the big elf's | | | | and wonder into the lives of several small children. |
| lap, told him my holiday desires, and truly believed | | | | Add to that a couple of damp pairs of red Santa |
| that he would provide the GI Joe, the Schwinn | | | | pants when youngsters became "overly excited" |
| bicycle, and the Daisy BB gun that I asked for. | | | | and had not visited the rest room prior to their |
| The chance to learn the secrets of Santa magic, | | | | Santa visit, and amusement when a few "grown |
| spread delight to children, and get paid at the | | | | up kids" decided to have their pictures taken with |
| same time seemed too good to pass up.Santa | | | | Santa, and the experience was definitely worth |
| School, it turned out, was an all day event, and a | | | | doing. The most interesting "person" to sit on |
| serious endeavor. The company showed a video | | | | Santa's lap was a young woman's pet ferret. The |
| tape of successful Santas talking to kids, showed | | | | ferret was friendly and enjoyed her visit-especially |
| us all how to put on our costumes, apply a pillow | | | | the chance to crawl through Santa's beard. Her |
| for the proper padding, adjust the wig and beard, | | | | owner said the picture of Santa with Wendy the |
| and how to add a touch of white make-up to | | | | Ferret in his beard would grace her Christmas |
| eyebrows and any exposed natural facial hair. And | | | | cards that year. It was a great, fun experience. |
| more importantly, we learned the "do's" and | | | | So if you like kids, have a large lap, and can find |
| "don'ts" of the Santa trade. Do remind the child to | | | | the work, being a Shopping Mall Santa is a |
| be good, to do well in school, and to smile for the | | | | part-time job you can't beat. |
| camera, as well as calling the child by name. Don't | | | | |