Turn a corner this time of year, and you’re sure to spot a man with a rather large belly. It might even shake a bit, like a bowl full of jelly.
Most likely, his eyes are twinkling, he’s sporting some great dimples, and his nose kind of resembles a cherry. (With all due respect to “A Visit From St. Nicholas” author Clement Clarke Moore, he put that stump of a pipe away years ago. Bad influence on the kids.)
But here’s the sad truth, folks. Jab at that belly, and you’ll often be poking a few inches of foam. And that beard? Tug too hard, and you’ll have a handful of fabricated hair. Just call these guys Santa’s helpful elves.
We searched from here to the North Pole and came up with the real deal. Visit Larimer Square on the weekends — from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, or 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday — to catch up with the big guy himself. He’ll even be there, between Osteria Marco and the Graham Building, until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve for procrastinators.
His first piece of advice? Bring your camera: Mrs. Claus isn’t snapping photos this year. He’d also like everyone to know that there’s no charge to visit Santa, and you’re welcome to bring your furry friends. Any donations you make will go to the Denver Dumb Friends League.
Q: It must be exhausting, big guy. Do you like your job?
A: I love it. Santa does hundreds of things every year around the metro area, from the Parade of Lights to stopping in homes. Making children happy is the best job of all.
Q: If a small child tugs on that beautiful long beard or that mane of lovely hair, do you say ouch? Or will it come off in a tot’s hand? I mean, it must get old, taming that beard every day or washing all that hair, what with all your other duties.
A: They tug and realize it’s real. And I don’t even say ouch. Santa might trim back his hair in the hot months of the summer, but he grows it back for the holiday season.
Q: What toys are children asking for this year?
A: Legos and Barbies are always popular. But the most touching thing this year? A 12-year-old came in with her five brothers and sisters, along with her single-parent father. She told me, “All I really want is for my family to have a good Christmas.”
Q: So what do you do when a child is afraid to come near you?
A: This is common for kids from 1 1/2 to 3 years old. One thing that helps is some kind of stuffed animal. A Rudolph with a nose that flashes distracts and calms a child down. Another method for a parent to consider is what we call backing them in. Hold the child and back him or her toward Santa. Once that child is on Santa’s lap, why, Santa feels like a big old comfortable couch.
Q: But what if that doesn’t help? What if a child is really terrified?
A: Mrs. Claus often helps with this. Visit for a while with the child in the back of the room, and let the child observe. One developmentally delayed young lady watched for a half an hour before she came up and sat in Santa’s lap. After 10 minutes, her parents said, “We really have to go!” She gave Santa a kiss on the cheek and asked if she could be BFF (best friends forever) with Santa. Of course, the answer was yes.
Q: When do you really start preparing for Christmas?
A: Ho, ho, ho. Year round! By Christmas morning, Santa can be found sleeping in front of his own tree for about 10 hours.
Q: So how can you really tell who’s naughty or nice? Do you have spies?
A: No child is really bad. But I ask that children be especially kind to each other. If a sibling is teasing, tune them out. How can Santa tell? I don’t believe in spies, but people like teachers are good at reporting in.
Q: What’s your wish for the holiday season?
A: It’s pretty simple. We should all realize that everyone just wants to be happy. Everyone should have something to eat. Everyone should have someone to love.
