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Discover the Six Types of People You'll Meet as Santa Claus

From excited kids to skeptical teens, explore the heartwarming and hilarious encounters that make playing Santa a magical experience year after year.

Santa Church 2024

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of donning the red suit and playing Santa at a local church. It's a role I've embraced for four years now, and I try to make it as entertaining and engaging as possible.

Each year brings a mix of emotions and reactions, and over time, I've come to recognize six distinct types of people who visit Santa. Here's a little insight into the festive fun:

1. Infants: Their First Christmas Photo

The tiniest visitors are often oblivious to the moment, but their parents are overjoyed to capture their first Christmas photo. Infants typically stare wide-eyed at the strange bearded figure holding them - or sometimes they burst into tears. Either way, these moments are precious milestones for families and make for adorable memories. We work hard to get the best picture as possible.

2. Toddlers: Terrified by Santa

For toddlers, Santa is an enigma. They're just old enough to notice something unusual about the jolly man in red, but not quite old enough to understand. The result? Fear. Lots of it. Some brave souls muster a hesitant smile, but most are a mix of screaming, squirming, and clinging to their parents for dear life. Many don't make it near me to get a high-five.

3. Elementary Kids: Excited to See Santa

This is the sweet spot. Elementary-aged kids are thrilled to see Santa, their faces lighting up with pure joy. They come prepared with wish lists, stories about being good all year, and big dreams about the presents they hope to find under the tree. These interactions are the highlight of my day. I laugh at some of the crazy requests.

4. Middle School Kids: The Skeptics

Middle schoolers start asking the tough questions: Are you really Santa? How do you visit all those houses in one night? They're testing the waters of skepticism but still secretly want to believe. It's fun to play along and offer clever, magical answers to keep their imaginations alive for just a little longer.

5. Teenagers: Reluctantly Along for the Ride

Teenagers are there because their family insisted. They roll their eyes, take the obligatory photo, and look forward to the moment they can escape. I always try to crack a joke or two to lighten the mood - sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but it's worth the effort.

6. Adults: The Support Crew

Adults are the proud parents and grandparents, soaking in the magic of the moment. They're there to capture the perfect photo and revel in their children's or grandchildren's joy. Some even whisper their thanks for bringing holiday cheer year after year. It's a touching reminder of the impact Santa can have, no matter the age. They do appreciate the effort that we put into the activity.


One of the best parts of being Santa for four years is seeing the same kids return year after year. Watching them grow up and knowing they recognize and appreciate seeing the same Santa is heartwarming. It's a testament to the joy and consistency this simple role brings to families during the holiday season.

Playing Santa is more than just putting on a suit - it's about spreading joy, sparking wonder, and connecting with people of all ages. Whether it's calming a frightened toddler, sharing a laugh with a skeptic, or simply listening to a little one's Christmas wishes, every interaction adds a little more magic to the season.