Prepare For Your Visit

Be sure the batteries are fully charged, you have all the film, videotape, etc. to take the photos you want.

Please remember, Santa is a senior citizen. If he parks down the street or around the corner and has to walk all the way to your house or office he might be a bit winded or exhausted when he gets there. His heavy velvet suit gets very hot, even in December.

If the visit is at your home, please leave an opening at the end of your driveway.

If Santa is to make his entrance with the gifts they should be labeled, easy to read and fit into a tall kitchen bag. Additional gifts may be brought to Santa by a helper or pre -placed at his chair. 

Santa will be with you for a limited amount of time. *

Santa will call a designated coordinator five minutes before he arrives. That’s your cue to get everyone together, maybe sing a Christmas carol or two, and send someone outside to meet Santa and coordinate any presents.

At the right moment Santa can arrive and join in the festivities.

If you have a large group of children, it is a good idea to have an enthusiastic helper coordinate the order of the Santa visits and introduce each child to Santa

Folding chairs and low chairs are not good. A good straight-back dining room chair works well. In order to have children sit on his knee Santa must sit-up “wide” and on the edge of the chair. Santa should be able to sit comfortably and have a child on each knee.

Your photos will have more impact if the background has a festive look.

If you don’t have a tree, placing a wreath, a few Christmas cards or your children’s drawings on the wall can make a wonderful background.

Leave a foot or two between the chair and the tree or wall. This will allow room for others to gather around and behind Santa’s chair for group photos.

Yes, some teenagers will shy away or think it’s too childish to have a photo with Santa. But, before the session is over most will get in the spirit and want to participate. Santa can stand up for a “buddy” photo with teens and adults.

Remember to include the seniors in the audience. Take a photo with Santa and Grandma hugging. And, nothing is more fun than having Santa ask Grandpa if he has been a good boy!

Have a small bottle of water available by Santa ‘s chair as Santa does get hot and thirsty

As Santa is leaving, hand him an envelope and say ”thank you Santa, and here’s a Christmas card from all of us”.