Santa Don - St Louis and Metro East

Jolly Hello-ho-ho-ho from the North Pole!! 🎅
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- My goal is to give young children (& adults) the best Santa experience possible and represent the spirit of Santa Claus and Christmas!
- I am a Christian and can also include the "True meaning of Christmas" as part of the visit (only if requested).
- I am an extra special and fun professional Santa. Not only do I have a REAL beard, but a naturally white beard. I have many top reviews and repeat customers, including St Louis Union Station Polar Express, retail "Cookies w/ Santa", and home parties. For the 2024 season, I have also been hired by the new JINGLE! Christmas Village, St Louis CITY SC, photographers, and the City of O'Fallon.
- I have the patience and Santa magic to help reluctant children get wonderful pictures with Santa.
- Includes 1hr round-trip travel free (I live in IL)
- Large "Believe" Bell ornament and flavored candy canes are provided FREE for each child (with the customer’s approval).
- Normal sequence includes a Santa entrance (surprise?), Santa ice-breaker (Santa "Believe" team - get “Believe” Bell), visit with Santa, pictures with Santa, read a Christmas story, option to hand out gifts (if time), and farewell. See listed OPTIONS to expand the Santa visit. There can also be breakfast with Santa, etc. I'm open to what the customer wants to do for the paid time. I recommend saving gifts to the end since some children quickly get distracted by gifts.
- I have a lot if items that can help a reluctant child feel comfortable getting pictures, including Christmas puppets, stuffed animals, fake snowballs, a lighted "Nice List" book, etc. Some of these items also help make great and unique pictures.
- Choose from 6 different custom Santa suits. Only 1 choice if Santa has to hold pets for pictures.
- Additional details provided after booking.
- Elf OPTION: deliver a 21" tall male or female elf to families or children ($25). See attached pictures.
- “Believe Bell” OPTION: upgrade to extra large Believe Bell or large special 2024 dated “Believe” Bell ornaments (+$1.25/child).
- Music Box OPTION: sing "Wish You A Merry Christmas" while a child plays the tune with a small Christmas music box that the child gets to keep (+$15). Note: only 1 child plays and gets the music box, but we can arrange other children getting one too (i.e. take turns playing the tune).
- Santa Chair OPTION: provide Santa chair and/or 2 white short stools for children (requires advance setup). It is best if this option is not used for a short 40min home visit. If you have a regular chair, I do bring red and green blankets we can lay over the chair for the Santa visit and pictures.
- Portrait Option: 8’-10’w x 7’ tall Christmas Scene background and professional lighting (3 Christmas backgrounds or scenes to choose from, or blue or green screen background). This picture setup improves pictures that can even be used for a family Christmas card or framed portraits. The customer takes the pictures. (requires large open space and advance setup). There is also a singing reindeer option. Not advised for a short 40min home visit.
- Each option is an additional charge and may require a separate setup visit. These can be booked separately once the original GigSalad visit is scheduled.
- I will provide copy of back ground check and insurance once booked.
- Gig-Salad takes a percentage of my quote and adds a fee on your end too.
- Call (phone number hidden) if you have questions.
Thanks.
Blessings,
Santa-Don-StL 🎅

So how did all this Santa stuff start? Well, just for the fun of it, I started to let my beard grow long after my 2020 retirement. Then friends started to say that I would make a good Santa Claus. But, sometimes I was not sure if that was a compliment or maybe they thought I should exercise more? Anyway, being a Santa Claus professional was not my retirement plan. BUT 3 seasons ago, a good friend needed help when the Santa she booked had to cancel for her special “Cookies with Santa” event at The Blossom Play Cafe in O’Fallon IL. She already had the Santa suit and everything. How could I say “no”. To my surprise, it was amazing and I learned I really enjoyed bringing the spirit and magic of Santa Claus to children. I thought, maybe this would be a great thing to do more often. So, I did “Cookies with Santa” again and volunteered for a couple of good friends. The next thing I know , I also working as a special Santa at the St Louis Union Station Polar Express, JINGLE!, Bass Pro, St Louis CITY SC, Fox2News and KDSK interviews, corporate events, retail visits and multiple home visits, including on Christmas Eve and Christmas.
Who knows where it goes from here, but I’m going to try and do my best. Please look at the pictures I’ve attached and you will see the true Christmas and Santa “Believe” spirit I bring to these events.
I can provide references and copies of insurance and background check too. Please message me with any questions. Thanks.
Blessings and Merry Christmas,
Santa Don StL

GENERAL SETUP (recommendation):
- Please provide a bench or chair to sit on (aka Santa’s Throne). This “throne” needs to be firm and around 18” high. Soft and low does not work well for photos or long visits (or my hips). A 2nd bench or chair is needed since some children feel more comfortable sitting next to Santa. One on either side is even better for photos of many kids and family photos.
- The suit is very, very, very warm. Please set thermostat around 68deg (lower the better). A fan and cold bottles of water would be great too. No sitting close to a fireplace.

BREAKS and PRIVATE SANTA AREA:
- At a minimum, Santa MAY need a 5-10 min break every hour. I will keep it short.
- If greater than a 1 hour visit, Santa needs access to a bathroom that kids will not access.
- A 1 hour break is also required for lunch or dinner far events longer than 4 hours.
- If the Santa area is hot, Santa may have to take a 5min break every 15min to cool off. You don’t want a fainting Santa at your event. A fan can help too.
- Similarly, if Santa is outside and it is very cold, a place to warm up would help. It depends on visit length and other factors. A heater will help too, but we need to be careful. You don’t want a Santa suit to melt or Santa to go up in flames at your event, either.
- In general for long events greater than 4hours, please provide a private room/space for the break and between multiple sessions per day.

RULES and PROCEDURE:
- We definitely need to talk well before your event to make sure we are on the same page and level set the expectations.
- Santa’s schedule is very tight and I may have to leave on time as scheduled (thank you). If schedule allows, I'm willing to stay longer, if needed. The hourly rate will be used for added times (partial hour rate at 15min increments)
- Special instructions, additions and requests need to be made and worked out in advance. I may have to decline changes or spontaneous ideas on the day of appointment.
- Please refer to me at all times as “Santa” once I arrive.
- Please do not refer to any child as naughty or bad.
- A minimum of 2 other adults must be with Santa at all times. No exception.
- If a child gets upset when placed on Santa’s lap, Santa will not force the child to stay. But have the camera ready, since those pictures can be great too
- Do not force any upset child to sit on Santa’s lap or next to Santa. There is time to help the child feel comfortable with sitting with Santa. The parent can always hold the child and be in the picture. Family photos are great.
- Decorations (if any), sitting area and photo backdrop must be young children and Santa appropriate and in good Chrustmas taste.

Thanks.
Blessings and Merry Christmas,
Santa Don