Opportunities for Santa Claus?

[SantaClaus]

As many of you already know, my wife and I are planning a move to TV in the next several years. I am a professional Santa here in Raleigh, doing mostly clubhouse events, in-store promotions, civic events (tree lighting, parade) running/manning a set at a local tourist attraction, private parties, in-home visits, and such. I occasionally fill-in for mall Santas, but that is not really my cup of tea. I'm very keen to continue my Santa'ing ways once we get to FL, but I get the sense that opportunities might be much more limited. I'm sure I can book the occasional adult party, or do in-home visits where grandchildren are spending Christmas at TV. And there are always lots of volunteer opportunities. I'm just wondering if you've seen places around TV that have Santa visit, or that could use one? Are there many affluent, family developments within reasonable driving distance? I know this might seem a terribly unseemly question coming from Santa (show me the money) but honestly, being a top-flight Santa Claus is an expensive proposition and for me to continue doing it into our retirement it needs to at least cover it's own expenses. I love doing it, I just want to be able to continue doing it for as long as possible.

Thanks for any help. BTW, there's only 212 days til Christmas!

[villager99]

the villages had a resident couple who filled this role for years but I believe their health no longer permits their continuing. sorry I don't have more specifics but a call to the rec dept may help

[Villageshooter]

there is always a need for Santa,,, I am sure you will find many places the you will able find work. Your doing it correct lay this ground work,,, bring the sleigh and Rudolph down here to Gods playground,,, if you nothing else you can hang around the square in the summer and make many young visitors happy! BTW my wife has been a bad girl and I love it!

[CFrance]

Also, there are many clubs that have Christmas parties. There is a list, with contact numbers here: http://www.virginiatrace.com/clubs/ClubsListing022414.pdf

You could come to my house. I have a Christmas list. Includes a car that is not black. I've been behaving myself lately too.

[SantaClaus]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Very encouraging. I figure worst case we might have to take the rv to Orlando for 6-8 weeks a year. We'll see. It's still a long way off. I'll launch a serious marketing effort 6-7 months before moving. Now is just the time to start thinking about who to target.

You could come to my house. I have a Christmas list. Includes a car that is not black. I've been behaving myself lately too.


So, which do you like better, Hot Wheels or Matchbox? And I'm very glad to hear you've been behaving... it's never too late to try new things, hunh? ;-)

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[buggyone]

Disney World always has Santa Claus at the various parks. Give their HR dept a call.

[CFrance]

Thanks for the replies, guys. Very encouraging. I figure worst case we might have to take the rv to Orlando for 6-8 weeks a year. We'll see. It's still a long way off. I'll launch a serious marketing effort 6-7 months before moving. Now is just the time to start thinking about who to target.




So, which do you like better, Hot Wheels or Matchbox?:1rotfl::1rotfl:

And I'm very glad to hear you've been behaving... it's never too late to try new things, hunh? ;-) Rats, you saw right through me. :cryin2:

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:BigApplause:

[tippyclubb]

Santa I love this thread! Hope you can find places to continue bringing joy to small and big kids.

You can stop by our house, but my husband said I cannot sit on your lap with the wish list, which includes a golf cart! I've been good all year so no lumps of coal for me.

Good luck to you!

[CFrance]

Santa I love this thread! Hope you can find places to continue bringing joy to small and big kids.

You can stop by our house, but my husband said I cannot sit on your lap with the wish list, which includes a golf cart! I've been good all year so no lumps of coal for me.

Good luck to you!
I think she's fibbing, Santa. :evil6:

[tippyclubb]

I think she's fibbing, Santa. :evil6:

Only Santa will know for sure!

[mrfixit]

.
WHY is Christmas just like another day at the office.?

.....I do ALL the work and...
.......................... the FAT GUY in the SUIT gets all the credit.

[mrfixit]

.
There are four stages to life....

1.....You believe in Santa.
2.....You DON'T believe in Santa.
3.....You are Santa.
4.....You LOOK Like Santa.

[CFrance]

.
There are four stages to life....

1.....You believe in Santa.
2.....You DON'T believe in Santa.
3.....You are Santa.
4.....You LOOK Like Santa.
That's funny!:BigApplause:

[kittygilchrist]

Disney World always has Santa Claus at the various parks. Give their HR dept a call.

Brilliant!

[kittygilchrist]

Frankly, Santa, TV is surrounded by small towns without much $$ for Santa. Tampa and Orlando are about the same distance...i'm glad you have the rv for an alternative. TV is forever looking for congenial folks to work the gate stations and sales offices.

[SantaClaus]

Disney World always has Santa Claus at the various parks. Give their HR dept a call.


Oh yes, I would love to be a Disney Santa. Unfortunately they only hire two real-bearded Santas: Epcot and Downtown Disney, the rest are regular character cast members. Both of the real-bearded Santas have done the gig for YEARS. Certainly, they will have my resume, though! It's a long held dream of mine.

[Shimpy]

Great job working 1 month and taking 11 off.

[SantaClaus]

.

WHY is Christmas just like another day at the office.?



.....I do ALL the work and...

.......................... the FAT GUY in the SUIT gets all the credit.


Again, where's the "like" button! (BTW, I may be a fat guy in a suit, but I'm a FLY fat guy in a suit!)

[SantaClaus]

Santa I love this thread! Hope you can find places to continue bringing joy to small and big kids.



You can stop by our house, but my husband said I cannot sit on your lap with the wish list, which includes a golf cart! I've been good all year so no lumps of coal for me.



Good luck to you!


Thanks so much! It really is a source of great joy for me, easily as much as I spread to others. And tell your hubby not to worry, no laps involved, you visit Santa from his knee! As for the 'good' part, I'll have to check my list. Thanks again.

[SantaClaus]

Frankly, Santa, TV is surrounded by small towns without much $$ for Santa. Tampa and Orlando are about the same distance...i'm glad you have the rv for an alternative. TV is forever looking for congenial folks to work the gate stations and sales offices.


That was my suspicion, as well. Other than the senior developments most of the area seems pretty depressed. Probably lots of opportunity for charitable visits locally, and then some stints in Orlando to pay the bills. I'll keep the gate stations and sales offices in mind, thanks.

[Buffalo Jim]

Dear Santa : I would bet that there are many Grand-parents who live here who host their young Grand-children during the Christmas Season and would love to be able to arrange for a special surprise visit from you .
I used to organize a gathering of friends with young children the weekend before Christmas when I lived in Buffalo . I would hire a pro like yourself to make a surprise visit and it was a huge hit each year .
By the way there is a town not all that far away from here by the name of Christmas , Florida .

[Cisco Kid]

.
There are four stages to life....

1.....You believe in Santa.
2.....You DON'T believe in Santa.
3.....You are Santa.
4.....You LOOK Like Santa.

And you pay Santa's bill in January.

[SantaClaus]

And you pay Santa's bill in January.


The way some Americans carry debt there are probably some folks at TV still paying "Santa's bill" from 1978!

[SantaClaus]

Dear Santa : I would bet that there are many Grand-parents who live here who host their young Grand-children during the Christmas Season and would love to be able to arrange for a special surprise visit from you .

I used to organize a gathering of friends with young children the weekend before Christmas when I lived in Buffalo . I would hire a pro like yourself to make a surprise visit and it was a huge hit each year .

By the way there is a town not all that far away from here by the name of Christmas , Florida .


Yep, that's exactly the kind of thing I did as I was building my customer base; and still do a few. It would be fun to get back to doing them more. It would be nice if between in-home visits to grandchildren and a smattering of adult Christmas parties I could cover my expenses and spend the rest of my season doing charitable events.

Thanks again, everybody.
Merrily Yours,
Santa Shannon Settles,
ThatsSanta.com

[SantaClaus]

Christmas, Fl? Yikes, I'm not much for airboat rides and gator farms... maybe I can ring a bell in the square for Salvation Army!

[slipcovers]

Santa, I remember in your first post that you have a lot of Christmas "stuff" that you don't want to give up. I also have a village display, including ski lift, skating rink, sledding hill and several houses that light up. Do you think they could be displayed at a rec center for everyone to enjoy. I know there is a model train displayed at a rec center, so how about a Christmas attraction, any ideas out there?