Looking perfectly normal, a culturally diverse group of 12 men and one woman entered the New Orleans Room of the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel.
In less than an hour Thursday morning, they emerged as a flock of big-bellied beings in red and white. They looked almost identical in their jolly nature.
They spoke in a kindred tongue of “ho-ho-ho’s” and demonstrated their hearty laughter–over and over and over again.
It was graduation day at Santa Claus University, held in the Hyatt’s Glass House Lobby. Similar ceremonies took place throughout the country.
From across the nation, these wannabe-Santas were recruited by Cherry Hill Photo Enterprises, Inc. The New Jersey-based company, which employs 6,000 Santas and Easter bunnies every year, trains people to stand in for St. Nick at the 350 malls nationwide where it operates photo booths during the holiday season.
But being a Cherry Hill Santa is no easy task. Training is essential.
“It’s a tough job,” said Santa school headmistress Jenny Zink, who has taught a Santa course for 27 years. “You have kids screaming at you, climbing all over you and even wetting on you. Santa has to be kind, be patient and make sure that the kids have a wonderful experience.”
Before the last step toward Santahood, graduates must complete Zink’s 45-minute class on Santa’s Do’s and Don’t’s.
The Do’s: Bathe daily and use good deodorant; always encourage kids to have good habits; and use Santa’s leg lifts to keep the old knee from going out or freezing up.
The Don’t’s: Smoking, flirting or drinking (on the job); promise nothing; and never rush (It makes kids think Santa doesn’t care).
Recalling an exchange with a 14-year-old boy Thursday, Santa Peter, also known as Peter Logue, an actor who has played this role every year since 1990, said the children don’t just talk about what they want for Christmas.
“He wasn’t sure if he should believe in Santa,” Logue said. “He had finished up his bar mitzvah, and had just received his Hanukkah gifts and he didn’t have a Christmas tree. I told him, `Look, it’s Santa. Anything goes. I’ll just leave your favorite toys by the easy chair in the living room.’ I had to keep it moving.”
Santa Dave Canby, who works as a contractor in the off-season, said the job is a chance to capitalize on his long ivory beard and well-grown paunch.
“People always said I looked like Santa Claus or Jerry Garcia,” said the Wheaton resident. “I guess it depends on the season.”
As a high school choir sang Christmas carols, the Santas danced, hugged and belly-rolled with glee. Some stuck close to the table covered with chocolate chip cookies and milk, just practicing how to munch on those little treats left by the tree.
