SANTA WHERE ARE YOU?

SANTA CLAUS WHERE ARE YOU?                                                                               By Stormy Whiff

The anticipation in the air is palpable as I peer out at the growing line of children and their families in line at the mall to see Santa. He’s on a break, so to speak, but in reality he hasn’t shown up yet. I’m in a state of panic wondering what happened and how I’m going to appease the crowd without a Santa. He should have been here 15 minutes ago and the clock is ticking. My head is spinning with excuses but none seem to be even remotely plausible. One of the reindeer is feeling down and he has to find a replacement? His sleigh is experiencing technical difficulties and is unable to fly at the moment? He spilled on his suit while eating lunch and it’s currently being cleaned so the stain won’t show up in the photos? As I pace back and forth in the dressing room the mall has provided for our operation the elves remain calm because they don’t have to face the angry parents and disappointed children. They’re getting paid by the hour whether Santa is here or not. I’m starting to resent them. I’m wondering why I took this management position when I could be an elf. 

I look out again and the line is still growing. I can see the adults trying to explain to the kids that Santa will be here soon. But will he? Their expressions are changing from joyous anticipation to befuddled and disgruntled. Soon there will be nothing but angry faces on the adults and disenchantment in the eyes of the children. I can’t let this happen but I feel powerless and increasingly hopeless.

I’m still struggling with how I’m going to explain Santa’s absence to the children much less the parents who want that special moment captured on camera? The kids want to sit on Santa’s lap so they can tell him their Christmas wishes in person. It’s that one on one encounter that makes the holiday memory that lasts a lifetime. After all that’s what I’m doing here: managing Santa, the elves and making memories. But where could Santa be? Did he have an accident? Did he change his mind? This is a temporary gig so it’s not like he’s going to have any negative consequences for his decision. I’m the one that has to deal with his decision to not show up. 

It’s now going on 20 minutes since Santa should have returned to his throne on the photo set. Some were already waiting in line when the first Santa’s shift was over and I let him go. Why did I let him go before the next Santa arrived? I’m kicking myself for this! This is before the age of cell phones so there’s no way to call him to get him back. There’s no one to call at all in fact. I’m completely on my own and having a total nervous breakdown. My instinct is to scream to the crowd that Santa has let us all down! If it weren’t for my state of panic I’d be sobbing uncontrollably. 

I work for a temporary employment agency that runs both the Santa and Easter Bunny operations at the local malls in my area. This is my second year as the manager and it’s been a relatively easy and lucrative gig so far. I’m a stay-at-home mom most of the time. I do temp jobs for what I call pizza money so that once in a while I don’t have to cook. Plus it gets me out of the house and with adults which is ever so refreshing when you’re with toddlers all day. 

If I couldn’t find an Easter Bunny I could always don the suit myself. Santa is a different story. In fact, I’ve not heard any story that features a female Santa but the thought did cross my mind for an instant. I could lower my voice and put a pillow in the suit maybe? I just don’t see any kid above the age of two buying it. However, I’m increasingly desperate after 30 minutes and no Santa. 

Suddenly out of nowhere one of the elves starts pointing to someone in the crowd and shouting to them. They ask if they can chase this person down as a possible Santa. Of course! Please do! Wait. I ask if they are 18 years old and the Christmas magical answer is YES! Now, will they be willing to don the suit? 

The elf runs after the tall, lanky friend and lo and behold a Christmas miracle is about to happen! He agrees to be Santa for the afternoon! He came to do some shopping and ended up being the hero of the day! The relief for everyone involved is profound.

I quickly usher him to the dressing area where I need to have him fill out a W-4 form and verify his age. He puts on the suit and is the skinniest Santa I’ve ever worked with. But he’s the most glorious Santa I’ve ever worked with! He’s restored my faith in humanity and especially our youth.

Normally the Santas hired by the temp agency get 2 full days of training on how to be a proper Santa Claus. Our young man gets a few instructions before sending him out to the cheers of those still waiting to sit on his lap. I tell him to be pleasant, never promise anything and to keep his hands in full view at all times. I kiss the elf that brought us Santa and saved the day! Time to debut our newly hired Santa and bring the joy back to the anxiously awaiting crowd.

By now the line had dwindled but Santa did receive cheers and applause as he took his seat. Since the wait had been so long many moved on to get their shopping done. But for those who waited I was thrilled to be able to get them their moment with Santa. I tried not to rush anyone since they’d already waited so long. It was a truly memorable day not just for me but for all of the elves and of course the newly christened Santa. It did feel like a Christmas miracle that day! Seeing smiles on the children’s faces was always the best part of the job!