Helpful Hints

Dear Santa Client,

Thank you so much for booking me for a memorable visit this year. I want to give you a few tips to make things run smoothly. Although this list may appear long, it is based on years of experience. Thanks for helping!

  1. Cell Phone: Before the event, make sure we have each other’s mobile phone number, so we can get in touch the day of the event.
  2. Parking: Please make sure there is a parking spot for me. I’m an old elf carrying a bag of toys in a heavy suit in the south.
  3. Temperature: I am from the North Pole. Please have the AIR CONDITIONING ON AT 68 degrees, NOT heat.
  4. Seating: Have a place for me to sit that is sturdy, and please not near a fire. For quality pictures, you’ll want to avoid backgrounds like windows that may affect lighting for the picture.
  5. Presents: If you are providing presents for me to hand out:
    1. Above All: Ensure each child gets a gift!
    2. Let me know where you have placed them.
    3. All presents should be small gifts that will fit into my bag. Generally smaller than 8″ × 8″.
    4. Ensure each gift is wrapped (not a gift bag — things could fall out), and names clearly printed on each package.
  6. Arrival: If I am visiting your home, please have the kids INSIDE during the time I arrive and not outside playing, as I don’t want kids to see me getting out of my sleigh.
  7. Entrance: Try to keep a clear path for me to come into the home, so I am not tripping over things as I carry my bag into your home. Please put up the dogs and cats during our visit. Try to keep the kids a few feet away from me, especially if I am bringing in presents.
  8. Photos: Take as many pics as you wish. A few considerations:
    • If your baby or child is screaming, it is NOT a good time for the child or for me.
    • Santa loves pets, but pet dander might irritate others that Santa visits, so please keep the furry friends elsewhere during my visit.
    • Santa loves food and drink (gotta keep my jolly figure!) but please keep food and drinks out of picture distance.
    • Please don’t smoke during my visit. I know the poem refers to Santa with a pipe, but I gave that up many years ago, and Mrs. Claus doesn’t like the smell on the suit.
    • Please don’t use the pictures for commercial use or advertising.
  9. Payment: Let me know whether you’d like to pay in advance (Zelle or Credit card), or the day of (cash). If it’s cash, please put it in an envelope and mark it “Wish List for Santa” and hand it to me on my way out.
  10. Grace: Finally, please allow Santa to be early or running late by 10 minutes either way. For the most part, I am ALWAYS on time.

Remember to book early for next season. I normally book up 4–7 months in advance.

Thank you for the business! Hope to see you NEXT YEAR.

— Santa Strickland

Contact / Book