I wore the Red Suit (17 page)

An eight-year-old girl told me her wish was that Tommy, who goes to her school, always picks on her, and could Santa please cross him off his Christmas list of good kids? After she was done, her brother came to sit with me. “
Well my young man, I checked my naughty and nice list and I was happy to see your name on the nice side. Keep up the good work. Now, what can Santa bring you for Christmas?” When he went back to his parents, I could hear him say; “he called me a young man.” I watched as he smiled from ear to ear.

There is always that wish that comes from the heart of a little one. A girl about age six says to me, Santa before I tell you what I want for Christmas, can you tell me what you would wish. Well, what Santa would wish for is that the children around the world to be happy. That is good Santa, she says, can I use the same wish? Sure you can, and Merry Christmas.

A child hands me a list with 12 to 13 items on it. Each item has a small square box to the left of each item. The child tells me to put a check in box next to each item I will be bringing. Also, would I mind mailing it back to him, in case he did not receive everything, as he can use it again next year.

A little girl about 9 years old gave me a hand-written wish list with twenty items on it. There were funny little symbols next to each item. At the bottom of her list was a key to the meaning of the symbols; check mark = I really want; an X = If Santa has extra; a dash = I only want half as much; a zero = Is whatever Santa thinks is ok.

 
Even this Santa has wishes besides peace on earth. I want to be a "world-class Santa." Learn several languages, do the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Build a large road ready sleigh with wheels hidden within the runners, and buy or rent at least a four reindeer team. The sleigh could be equipped to work on either snow or dry road. Maybe have some older kids act as elves; with the permission from their parents of course.

An old woman in a wheelchair asks if her daughter can sit on my lap? “Sure” I say while looking at the woman standing next to her. She sits upon my knee and says all she wants for Christmas is her two-front teeth. Also, the rest of the top and bottom teeth as well. Well, you are beyond getting new teeth I tell the woman. I estimate her to be about seventy. I will try. Her mother who must be ancient sits in the wheelchair not far away and smiles. It seems she is still getting her daughter no matter what the age, to do things like sit on Santa’s knee.

I do read every wish list given to me.

Scared

           
I remember being five or six and waiting to see Santa for the first time. I have seen his pictures in the stories my mom read to me. Now he is here just a few feet away from me. I was so scared, but I had to tell him what I wanted for Christmas. However, he is so big and loud. I remember telling my mom not to leave me. I walk closer holding her hand. I took little steps toward him, just barely walking at all. Closer and closer until I can touch his coat with the white fur. He sits back and grabs his tummy. He laughs so loud it hurts my ears and pounds in my chest along with my racing heart. I remember quite clearly saying to my mom, no mommy, no want to see Santa! Please, I want to go home.

That is how I felt as a young child. Knowing those, feelings I can sympathize with children and their fear of Santa close up. Adjustment of the situation can help in diminishing the fear. My first memory was of awe, and I was scared and excited at the same time. I try to feel what the children are feeling and calm their fears.
Santa Claus can be intimidating to kids. You may see tears instead of smiles. Try not to be too loud or overbearing if you sense a child is hesitant to come closer. Let the little ones stand first while you keep your hands folded in your lap. A child will disappear in a flash if they are skittish, and you reach for them. Speak softly and smile a lot. They may get comfortable enough sit upon your knee for a picture. If not, just ask what they want for Christmas while they stand there. I have seen that one year, a child is not keen on getting close, and the following year; you are their best friend and gladly jump to your knee.

All young children talk about is seeing Santa during the Christmas season. That is until their parents bring them to Santa at the Mall, or a party. I have seen kids looking around as they near my chair. Once they see me, they step in glue and go no further. Others will run away screaming. I do not worry about it or take it to heart; they will be back next year; a little older and a little more sure of me. If a child does not come to me, I will not force them. I will let them stand in front of me and ask them what they want for Christmas. If a child wants down, I let them. I never restrain a child. A strong fear against Santa will evolve if a child thinks he or she cannot get away. Parents will drag their kids kicking and screaming to have a picture taken. The kids are so scared there is no way they will get any closer. However, some parents will not back down. I actually had a mother hit her child because the little girl would not settle down and stop crying. I usually tell a parent like that to bring the child back later or maybe next year.

If a child sits on my knee, I will not get impatient if they do not say anything. Most times children are so awed at the nearness of Santa, they will forget that they can talk. I talk to them in nice even soft tones. I look at the child, if it is a girl; I ask if she likes dollies or maybe clothes. It may be a few minutes; they will loosen up and talk. Boys will always find their tongue when you mention GI Joes, or Ninja Turtles. Jamie just sat there. He had a hundred things to ask Santa. While he was waiting in line, all he talked about was sitting with Santa and telling him what he wanted for Christmas. Now that he was this close to Santa, he either forgot what he wanted or was just too nervous. I read kids eyes. It is easy to tell when they are nervous, a little scared, or completely in awe.

Of course, not every Santa is there for the kids. Some, it is just another job to do and a quick buck for the holidays. Others wonder what they got into, and it has only been two hours in an eight-hour day of hearing children's request. I remember the little girl that sat upon my lap one week and was all bubbly. Well, she would not come near me the next week. Her mother wanted another picture taken for a grandparent that lived far away. That is why she came to see me again. The problem was that she took the children to another mall. While they were there, they visited another Santa. That mall's Santa held her hand and would not let go. She got scared, but this poor excuse for Santa still would not let go of her hand. A child needs to know that he or she can get away if they want to. Now she will not come near even me. To her, all people in red suits are scary, and she needs to stay away from them.

Another little girl would not come near me. She stayed off the platform, and would not come close to where I sat. What I said before the big fat man in a red suit, with ringing bells and lights can be very frightening to a little child. This six-year-old child sat on the steps twenty feet away from my large chair. I went and sat next to her on the steps. She sat facing away from me with her head in her hands and her eyes closed. A single tear escaped the tightly closed eyes. I asked her, "what's the matter little one? Don't you like Santa Claus?” “I love Santa” she sobs, “but I am scared.” “You should not be afraid of Santa,” I return. “I think he is funny in that big red suit, don't you?” “Yes he is. I am still scared of him and I do not know why.” I tried to speak in a calming voice. “I am sure Santa is a nice man, and your mommy brought you to see him, so he must be ok. Will you come and talk to him.” “No--I cannot!
 
Now I will not get anything for Christmas. My mommy says I have to tell him what I want for Christmas, or he will not be able to bring it.” (She still has her eyes closed during this whole exchange and does not know I am Santa.) “Listen,” I tell her, “I have an idea. Tell me, and I will make sure Santa knows what you want.” She tells me a Barbie doll and several other items. “That is great I tell her.” Her mother is a few feet away and nods agreement on the toys the little girl wanted. I know it is safe to commit to bring those requested toys. I put my arm around her and say. "I will do my best to bring you what you want for Christmas." She moves her hands, opens her eyes, and sees me sitting next to her on the steps. Tears fill her eyes as she throws her arms around me and says. "I Love you Santa Claus.”

         
Fear can be overcome in a child if it is done right. I do miss sometimes and lose a child to fear. Nevertheless, there is always next year.