Tips for a Great Santa Visit

I want Santa's visit to be very, very special. Here are a few tips to help make your Santa visit merry:

• Provide a cell phone number of someone at the event who will have it on. 

• Have a special place for Santa to park – very close to the entrance of the event. 

• Have someone outside to meet Santa – to show him the way and to load toys into his sack if needed. 

• Plan it so Santa can make a "Grand Entrance" – Have everyone participating in a common task (like singing). 

• Have a sturdy chair for Santa to sit in.  Folding chairs and low chairs (the one’s you sink into) are not good.  Santa usually likes a chair that is sturdy and stable.  A good straight-back dining chair, with no arms, works well.  He should be able to sit comfortably and the chair needs to support him plus a child on each knee.

• Place the Chair near your Christmas tree or in a holiday setting.  Maybe in front of a fireplace (without a fire, that would be too warm!) with stockings hanging, or any festive type of backdrop.  Your photos will have more impact when the background has a festive look.  Place a wreath, a few Christmas cards or your children’s drawings on the wall to make a wonderful difference.  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.

• If there is a balance or payment due to Santa, place it inside a Christmas card or envelope.  It never looks appropriate when someone gives cash to Santa.  So, as Santa is departing, hand him the envelope and say, “Thank you Santa, and here is a Christmas card from all of us.” 

• Have all dogs secured and put away. Dogs love Santa too and may sometimes jump on him in their excitement accidently ripping his suit.

• Keep the children together and occupied to give Santa a few minutes for his departure when he must travel on to the next house.