Santa Calling

Last night, I took part in one of the most fun programs/services in my career called 'Santa Calling'. Here's the premise... We sent out a form to all parents of kids who come to our summer day camp and swim lessons for them to fill out if their child still believes in Santa. The form includes the child's name, what he or she wants for Christmas, what they will likely get for Christmas, and another spot for additional info for them to maybe list grandparents' names, names of pets, or any other interests or hobbies. They also mark off a night even they will be home for the child to get a call from Santa.

Then the magic happens.

Last night, I got to be Santa over the phone. We had a team of about five Santas, and a few elves, making calls last night, talking to Maddie or Benjamin about what they want for Christmas, and double-checking our list of naughty and nice.

The beauty of it is that if you're not around little kids, you can forget that they even believe in Santa. I don't have kids, I don't have really young cousins, and I'm not yet an uncle. I haven't had to pretend that Santa exists in quite a while. So actually BEING Santa was pretty awesome.

I had to practice my HO HO HO a few times with the rest of the Santas, but ultimately got it down pretty darn good. Talking on the phone to the kids was awesome. They were all very adamant that indeed they HAD been good all year. One boy told me in no uncertain terms that he wanted toy wrestlers, especially John Cena with the camo pants.

On another call, the Dad picked up and I asked for the first of two sons. Unfortunately, the other one was right by the phone, and I could hear him crying when Dad told him Santa wanted to talk to his brother first. When he, the older one, got on the phone eventually, he was quick to tell methat his little brother didn't really want to talk to Santa. Ok then, you just make sure that your brother is a good boy too, and go to bed early on Christmas Eve.

Another boy who asked for not just any toy car, but a Batman toy car, was ecstatic when I, Santa, told him that Santa also Lives Batman. "you DO? Mom, Santa loves Batman TOO!!!!"

But the highlight may have been when I used that extra info at the bottom of the form, and when wrapping up a convo with a little girl, told her to say hi to her pet hamster Snooki from Santa. "How did you know I have a hamster?" HO HO HO, Santa knows EVERYTHING! Plus, how could I not acknowledge that this child, or her Shore-loving parent, named a hamster Snooki?

All in all, it was incredibly fun and rewarding, and something I may try and do next year outside of work too just for the heck of it for any friends who have little Santa believers at home. HO HO HO!
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This is the first ever blog entry I have attempted on an iPad, and also the first on a train, so I'll use that combo to explain any spelling or grammatical mistakes. And we'll also use the fact that I'm still learning how to use it as the reason for no pic or video. Sorry friends. I'll say it's the elves' fault.

Slainte,
Gary