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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe opportunities for freelance Santa work are surprising in their variety. Kerrick does home visits, makes library appearances, is available for corporate\u00a0parties, and is part of the Bowling Green Christmas Parade and the Polar Express Storytime at the Historic RailPark and Train Museum. Many families also want photos with the same Santa year after year, and Kerrick gets to see these families grow up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kerrick has also gleaned information from Santa Claus schools, which take place in various cities across the country. Playing Santa is much more than putting on a red suit and dispensing a hearty \u201cho, ho, ho.\u201d These schools feature classes on the specifics of working in a mall or about the business of playing Santa \u2014 keeping records and tax deductions. Some of the schools teach basic sign language. There are practice interviews on closed-circuit television since some Santas \u2014 like Santa Bob \u2014 go on television and need interview experience. There is instruction on interacting with children and difficult kids or kids with disabilities. There are classes on makeup, costuming, personal hygiene, or anything that might have to do with portraying Santa Claus and interacting with others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then there is that special responsibility of playing Santa Claus. Karrick considers the role a sacred trust when it comes to dealing with children. Not only is there an enormous responsibility with this role, but there are some potentially delicate situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSanta is really not any sort of disciplinarian,\u201d Karrick said. \u201cThat\u2019s left to the parents to take care of their child and make sure they behave.\u201d If there are problems, Karrick appeals to the parents. Politeness is the key, no matter what. Santa always needs to be approachable, accommodating, and gentle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Playing Santa entails many strictures and responsibilities \u2014 it\u2019s a commitment in every sense of the word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all about making memories \u2014 good memories \u2014 for people,\u201d Karrick reflected. \u201cThat\u2019s what\u2019s really so attractive about being Santa Claus \u2014 bringing smiles and laughter to families and children.\u201d And in a world where smiles and laughter can be hard to come by, this is no small thing. GN <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In November and December, the appearance of various Santa Clauses is so common that it is almost unnoticed. Yet, these gentlemen in their loud red suits and flowing white beards are, after all, playing a role. Their experience of being Santa for a short, intensive time during the year is rarely explored.\u00a0 Robert Karrick has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":26057,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26052","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n