Storied Santa - Santa Rich

Santa Rich- The Storied Santa - loves meeting folks and making connections, big or small, Granny or baby, or even 300 pound bikers. I seek to create an experience for everyone at your event! I am great at helping make photos tell a story. I will give up my chair for a scared child and just peek around it, if need be, or go back-to-back with a tough guy teen.

My approach varies based on the event type- Obviously, what I do at a Parade is different from what I do in a home visit! But, before your event happens, we'll talk through the details and make a plan!

I love to tell stories that engage the audience-- stories that add to the Magic of Christmas, and help everyone BELIEVE!

I do great story readings. You've not heard "The Night Before Christmas" till you've heard it from Santa Rich.

I work with my clients to head off potential issues and suggest ways to have even MORE fun. I also have a wide collection of contacts for things like Reindeer, Elves, and more. In most cases, I can provide photo services for your party as well. I have hand-outs, check lists, photos, and suggestions you can use to help promote your event.

Santa Rich - "The Storied Santa" - I use my skills as a TRAINED IMPROV ACTOR, VOICEOVER ARTIST and PROFESSIONAL MC to create an experience for children and adults alike.

I have over 20 years of professional experience- as a Host and Storyteller. I love bringing characters to life. I'm a professional teacher and instructor, too. I teach others in the Special Event world - and the Christmas Performers world - about how to improve their skills. I am a Santa Loremaster. And I do ongoing research into the history of Christmas, St. Nicholas, and how Santa Claus has come to be the magical elf he is today. This helps me bring him to life in a way that few can. I also believe strongly in the power of love, and the ideals of Christmas, Peace, Love, Generosity, Equality, Inspiration, Playfulness, and Caring. I believe that Christmas is for the kids in all of us.

Sure, I'll sit with children and listen to their holiday wishes...but he can also engage the group with storytelling, games, & other fun.

To me, Christmas is THE BEST time of year, I love the hustle and bustle, the lights, the family time, the tree- all of it. Every year, it provides a chance for everyone to “get in the spirit” of the Holidays. Some of my best memories of being a kid were all about Christmas and Visiting Santa!

And every year, children get the chance to BELIEVE and EXPERIENCE the Magic of Santa Claus! So, when given the chance to be Santa, I jumped at it. And, being the very best at it is always my goal.

I make sure to continually learn more through Schools and Books and other professionals…………...to create the very best attire……….to use my performance experience to really bring Magic and Realism to every Santa event………..to pay attention to every detail, no matter the size!

1. HAVE YOUR CAMERA READY: Be sure to have all cameras, camcorders, and batteries necessary to take the photos you want. Be sure to recharge or have fresh batteries.

2. RESERVE A SPECIAL PARKING PLACE FOR SANTA: It should be right where he is visiting. If the visit is at your home, leave an opening at the end of your driveway. When Santa calls that he is there, someone should meet him at the car

3. HAVE YOUR GIFTS READY: Santa does not bring any candy canes or gifts with him. He will hand out your candy and gifts that will fit in one 35 gallon garbage bag. (A second bag may be provided upon request, and will require a helper to carry it.) Gifts should be well labeled. We suggest a large black marking pen and writing directly on the gift, as tags can easily fall off.

4. HAVE A SPECIAL CHAIR FOR SANTA: Folding chairs, plastic chairs, and low chairs (the one's you sink into) are not acceptable. Santa needs a chair that is Straight-backed, Sturdy and Stable. A good, sturdy straight-back dining chair with no arms works well. (A sturdy dining room chair works just fine.) He should be able to sit comfortably with the chair supporting him plus a child on each knee.

5. PLACE THE CHAIR IN A HOLIDAY SETTING: Maybe in front of a decorated wall or any festive type of backdrop, and your photos will have more impact. Place a wreath, a few Christmas cards, or your children's drawings on the wall to make a wonderful difference. Leave a foot or two between the chair and the tree or wall. This will allow room for others to gather around and behind Santa's chair for group photos. AVOID “backlit” or "reflective" background areas for your pictures such as a window (during the day), sliding glass doors, or a plain white wall. These backgrounds will cause your camera or cell phone to give poor results. A Christmas Tree makes for a pretty background. Fireplaces do look nice but remember putting Santa too close to a real fire is a no-no. Its not good for his comfort or health.

IF YOU NEED a Santa Chair to be provided, we can often make that happen, and add that to the contract.

6. GET EVERYONE TOGETHER BEFORE SANTA ENTERS: Timing is everything. Santa's contracted time begins the minute he arrives. Minutes spent getting everyone together are part of your contracted time. If everyone is scattered around the house or office, you lose valuable time. Santa and you can coordinate. He will call you when he is five minutes away from arriving. That's your cue to have someone go outside to meet Santa, and for you to get everyone together and maybe to sing some Christmas Carols. If Santa is to bring in presents, the person meeting him can help him fill his bag. Then, at the right moment, Santa can pop in and join everyone in the singing. If you have a large group of children to see Santa, you should assign someone to be Santa's helper and coordinate the children as they each visit Santa. During busy periods, it is advisable to have one or more helpers (elves) to coordinate lines and keep things organized.

7. THINK ABOUT PHOTOS WITH EVERYONE: Yes, some teenagers will shy away or think it is too childish to have a photo with Santa. Don't worry; Santa can stand up for a "buddy" photo. What about grandma and grandpa? Take a photo with Santa and Grandma hugging. And, nothing is more fun than having Santa ask Grandpa if he's been a good boy.

8. SANTA NEVER BREAKS FROM HIS CHARACTER: This is very important and something most adults don’t mean to do. Please don’t say things to Santa such as “Why you’re one of the best Santas I’ve ever seen”. Don’t ask questions about when he started playing Santa or where did he get his costumes. It’s very important that you treat Santa Rich as Santa Claus and not as someone that plays Santa Claus. Please help keep the wonder of Christmas for your children and others.

9. AN ADULT MUST ALWAYS BE PRESENT: At all times when there are minors present, there should be at least one or more adults present, in addition to the parents. For very large events, crowd ropes and distractions are handy if there are really long lines.

10. "OFF STAGE" locations are NECESSARY: In the event that Santa needs to go and feed the reindeer (take a restroom break etc.), it is very important that this take place in an off-stage location, provided by/made accessible by the client.

11. LETS ALWAYS TALK THROUGH YOUR EVENT IN ADVANCE: To work out the details. If you want some entertainment (storytelling, singing, etc.) please let Santa know in advance how long that portion should last.