Larry Jefferson, a professional Santa Claus based in Dallas, discusses his experience attending 'Santa School', handling kids' requests Santa could never grant, and the impact of their race as a black Santa Claus. They also talk about sleigh refurbishing, payment arrangements for Santas, and childhood memories of Christmas.
Being a professional Santa Claus involves creating magical moments for children and dealing with sensitive situations.
The Santa Claus community is supportive and collaborative, with gatherings and resources for Santas to improve their performance and find work.
Deep dives
The Experience of Being a Professional Santa Claus
Larry Jefferson, a professional Santa Claus, shares details of his role, highlighting the joy and challenges of being Santa Claus. He discusses the transformation process in becoming Santa, his interactions with children of different ages, and the most common gifts children ask for. Larry emphasizes the importance of creating magical moments for children and the impact he has on their lives. He also mentions the role of parents in using Santa Claus as a tool for discipline and how he handles sensitive situations. Overall, Larry's journey from an amateur Santa to a professional showcases the dedication and passion required for this unique profession.
The Santa Claus Community
Larry gives insight into the Santa Claus community, including Santa schools and workshops. He shares how Santa performers gather to discuss various topics such as appropriate attire, performance techniques, and even fixing up and exchanging sleighs. Larry highlights the camaraderie among Santas and the support they provide to one another. He also mentions the business aspect of being Santa and the different ways Santas find work, including online presence and recommendations. Larry's experience demonstrates the collaborative and supportive nature of the Santa community.
The Origin of Larry's Love for Christmas
Larry shares childhood memories of Christmas and the profound impact it had on him. Growing up in a large family, the joy and love surrounding Christmas festivities left a lasting impression. Larry fondly recalls the moment his father revealed he was Santa Claus and how that experience set the stage for his own Santa journey. His deep-rooted love for Christmas and the joyful memories he cherishes shaped his decision to become a professional Santa Claus. Larry's story exemplifies how childhood experiences can inspire lifelong passions and pursuits.
Refurbishing old sleighs, reviewing advance dossiers on kids, and going to “Santa School" with Larry Jefferson, a professional Santa Claus based in Dallas. How does he handle situations when kids ask for something Santa could never grant? And what would a kid have to do to get coal?
Music credit: "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
NEW BOOK ALERT! You may be aware that I’ve written or co-written five business books, including The Power of Moments and Made to Stick. I’ve got a sixth book coming out in January called RESET: How to Change What’s Not Working. It’s a book intended to help you and your team get unstuck, to overcome the gravity of the way things have always worked. Learn more about the book or preorder it here.
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