Santa finds himself in high demand this year

By Njura Kinyua
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer

Santa Claus is in high demand this year.

After a 2020 holiday season that essentially canceled – well – the holidays, Americans are looking for the little extra joy in 2021 that a visit from Santa can bring.

“This year I think is showing me how busy I am and how short it is for Santas,” said Randyl Wagner of Rochester Hills, Michigan, a professional Santa for 40 years. “People definitely need it and want it even more this year than ever.”

Mitch Allen, who owns HireSanta, a Texas-based company that finds jobs for professional Santas all over the U.S., said demand for his company is up 120% from its pre-pandemic levels.

The demand is a byproduct of the Santa shortage that has stricken the U.S. Each year a fair amount of Santas will “hang up the suit” and choose not to come backwhile others have “taken their last sleigh ride” and passed on, Wagner said.

Meeting the demand requires the recruitment and training of younger Santas. There are many Santa schools that actively hold classes across the country to teach aspiring Santa’s how to act the part.

In order to become a professional Santa, individuals need to attain their own unique costuming, such as the suit and the white beard to look the part. Additionally, holding insurance and undergoing a background check is required to officially work as Mr. Claus.

Professional Santas take pride in their craft and work hard to get ready for the busy season.

Charles Johnson, a Santa from Fremont, Michigan, in his 15th season, said it takes 200 to 300 hours each year to prepare for the different gigs, depending on the type of Santa you are.

The demand may also be due to the restrictions of in-person visits in 2020.

“Last year was too frustrating for everybody, too hard emotionally,” Wagner said.

With lockdowns across the world, all Santa’s had to adjust to a new way of spreading joy.

“If not for virtual, we would have done nothing for COVID last year,” Bruce Norred, a professional Santa from Livonia, Michigan, said.

Norred transformed part of his home into a studio where he completed approximately 400 virtual visits. He had to purchase all new equipment, including backdrops, lighting, a large monitor, and a high-speed computer to do the visits.

Santas this year are faced with the challenge of in-person visits during a time when COVID is still prevalent and a new variant has emerged.

According to the CDC, the risk of developing dangerous symptoms of COVID-19 or death is higher for adults over 60 and also in people who have other serious health problems such as obesity or diabetes. Many Santa’s fall into the riskier category of illness for COVID as they are usually older and portlier.

Johnson, who did 650 virtual visits last year, said he is cautious about returning back to in-person visits this year.

“If I can still do it and be safe from a health standpoint, then I’ll do it,” Johnson said. “If it’s someplace where it’s going to be inside and they don’t want me to wear a mask and none of the other people are going to wear a mask, I would probably not do that event.”

On the other hand, some things for Santas haven’t changed.

Santas each year take on a mighty task to uplift people of all ages with the Christmas spirit. It is not an easy task but fulfilling to those who choose to put on the suit.

“With children, they’re already so sweet, so innocent and you want to keep that alive,” Wagner said. “It’s even just as rewarding when you see a parent, a grandparent…that extra smile, the look in their eyes. They remember also how it felt when they were a child and they kind of forget about the real world for a while.”