Much like Buddy the Elf in the now-classic Christmas movie, I get excited at the prospect of seeing Santa Claus each year, decked out in his full holiday regalia and seated in his throne, waiting for the next child to visit.
Of course, I get to see the jolly old elf at other times throughout the year – although he’s typically in jeans and a T-shirt. My brother-in-law, Mike Hankins, 60, of Festus has portrayed Santa locally for several years.
Resplendent in the custom suit and accessories made for him by his wife, Cathy, he makes appearances at the Santa House in Schneider Park in Festus most evenings in December.
But he doesn’t just sit there and smile and put up with it all; this man seriously and faithfully channels the spirit of Christmas. He makes every child – and more than a few adults – feel as if they’re the only person in the world. Each conversation is treated with dignity, caring and a gentle, sweet Santa smile.
His sense of wonder and delight in his role shows through clearly, whether he’s listening to a 5-year-old list her Barbie wants and dreams or a 9-year-old explain why owning a Minecraft hoodie would make his life complete.
With older children, he offers to give them “knucks” or a high five, then asks them how they’re doing in school, what they like to eat, who their friends are.
With smaller ones, or those more hesitant, he’ll produce an ornament and ask the child to help him put it on the tree, positioning himself and the child so parents can get a good picture in the process.
He is patient with the littlest visitors, the ones who scream and squirm and sometimes demonstrate their ability to produce body fluids.
(He keeps a spare pair of Santa pants on hand, just in case).
He deftly sidesteps The Question – “Are you the real Santa?” – by saying, “Go ahead, pull on my beard!”
Some of his visitors are a hard sell, but he rarely gets one he can’t communicate with at all. It makes my heart happy to see little kids run up and throw their arms around him, even when he’s in “regular” clothes.
He and my sister, who has her own Mrs. Claus costume, also take their act on the road. In addition to the paid gig at the Santa House, sometimes it’s a paid appearance at a private home, an office party, a retirement or birthday event that falls around the holidays. Just last week, it was a volunteer gig at a church cookie exchange.
But they also do a lot of free sessions, going to the homes of children who might not do well at a mall because of sensory issues, or who are unable to go out in public because of compromised health.
During a recent visit to the home of a child with multiple disabilities, including impaired vision, Mike sat patiently for probably 20 minutes while the boy explored Santa’s beard and whiskers and face and hat with his small fingers.
“Yes, Virginia; there is a Santa Claus,” the old story goes.
Well, we have a splendid one here in our town, as I’m sure there are in many other towns across the county and country.
The spirit of Santa is in their twinkling eyes and mischievous grins. It’s in the time they spend grooming their beards, shining their boots, making sure every last detail is just so.
It’s in the way my brother-in-law tenderly cradled the 5-day-old baby whose parents brought her to get a First Christmas photo last week.
Merry Christmas, Mike, and all you other Santas.
Our family – our whole community – is lucky to have you, and all the other jolly, red-clad elves who help keep the spirit of Christmas alive in our hearts.
