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About the Story

Yes, we know it's September, but scores of would-be Santas are already learning how to "Ho Ho Ho" - and avoid lawsuits. In this litigious age being Santa can be lucrative but can also be a liability. Hena Cuevas goes to a Santa Claus class for an inside look at Santa "clauses." (TRT: 8:07)

Adele’s of Hollywood

Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas - AORB

Ask Dave Taylor!’s “Is Santa Claus Real?” Blog

Decker Marketing’s “The Community and Events that Created Santa Claus” Blog

The Kringle Group, Inc.

Marketing for Success’ “What Santa Knows about Marketing” Blog

RealSantas.com/FindSanta.com

Santa Claus Timeline

SantaHollywood.com

A Tiny Revolution’s "There is No Santa Claus” Blog

Wikipedia’s “Origins of Santa Claus” Web Page

Words for My Enjoyment’s “Santa Claus Is Not Real (And neither is the Tooth Fairy)” Blog

Insider Viewpoints

In a world where religion and fear have become common marketing tools, the use of Santa as a marketing tool is a welcome relief. Santa is a symbol of hope, for children as well as the stores that use him.

And what better message to send than one of hope, whether it’s “I hope I get what I want for Christmas” or “I hope I make a profit this year.” As far as using Santa as a marketing tool to destroy our children’s innocence, I haven’t heard any kids complaining, and they certainly don't want the charade to end.

In fact, some might say that Christmas is a marketing and a capitalistic holiday, and that most children and businesses think that is a good thing. I say, Santa, keep Christmas coming, even if it means dressing up 10,000 look-a-likes to get the message across.

Charlie Cook
Marketing Guru
Marketing For Success

Christmas is a multi-billion-dollar…“tradition.” It’s the ultimate excuse to buy.

Unfortunately, the originally intended meaning of Christmas gets lost in this annual shopping frenzy. Nonetheless, it is a marketing marvel to see how the Santa Claus “brand” developed…

1. The original St. Nicholas lived in southwestern Turkey in the fourth century…

3. …he would…visit homes on Christmas Eve, and children would place nuts, apples, sweets…around the house to welcome him…

5. “Sinter Klass” would eventually be corrupted to “Santa Claus.”…

7. …Saint Nicholas became an American tradition during a wave of interest in Dutch customs following the Revolutionary War…

10. Artist Alexander Anderson was commissioned to draw an image of the saint…depositing gifts in children’s stockings.

12. Clement Moore had written the poem [“A Visit from St. Nicholas”] for the enjoyment of his own family, but in 1823,…it became…popular and has been reprinted countless times under the…title “The Night Before Christmas.”…

14. Thomas Nast, a 19th-century cartoonist,…gave him a workshop for building toys and a large book filled with the names of children who had been naughty or nice…

--Excerpt taken from Decker Marketing’s “The Community and Events That Created Santa Claus” Blog

The work of the department store or shopping mall Santa is not the same as it was in your childhood or that of your parents. Today's Santas are no longer seasonal temporary workers that are handed a red suit and temporary beard and told to sit in a chair.

21st-century children are savvier than their parents, and the parents also want the best for their children. Therefore, the demand for “real-bearded” Santas grows each year.

Today's Santa knows that there is more to it than sitting in a chair. Most have attended special Santa classes or schools and are well versed in how to work with children and their families.

These "Gentlemen of Joy" spend countless hours, weeks and months preparing for the holiday season. This includes making sure that their hair and real beards are white and bright.

They have custom-made suits with real leather boots and belts. And they are well-versed in working with children of all ages, answering difficult questions and, most importantly, helping families by giving them the best holiday experience.

Santa Tim Connaghan
President
The Kringle Group, Inc.