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Original poster

I work in a Santa's Grotto AMA

57 replies

whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 08:36

I'm just about to go for my first shift of the year working in a Santa's grotto. It's my 3rd year doing it and I'm so excited. I love the festive feeing and the happy children. I don't know if anyone has any questions but I'm happy to answer anything about the behind the scenes action with the big man!!

OP posts:
The3rdWatermelon · 07/12/2024 10:46

When you get a small child who bursts into tears and hides their face when they see santa, and won’t interact with him in any way, do you internally roll your eyes and wonder why the parents bothered bringing them?

decemberknows · 07/12/2024 11:03

How much do you get paid?

Compash · 07/12/2024 11:06

whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 09:39

Kind of rude to talk about my ears! They are beautiful!

I would never eat a naughty child! I bet the naughty ones taste horrible.

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Incentive to be naughty right there... 😈

NoBiscuitsLeftInMyTin · 07/12/2024 11:08

Compash · 07/12/2024 09:32

Enjoy your job!

If you're interested in this, I recommend heartily David Sedaris' slim volume 'The Santaland Diaries' - his experiences of working as an elf in an American grotto - hilarious...

They are excellent - thanks for reminding me about this!

DarkAndTwisties · 07/12/2024 11:14

The3rdWatermelon · 07/12/2024 10:46

When you get a small child who bursts into tears and hides their face when they see santa, and won’t interact with him in any way, do you internally roll your eyes and wonder why the parents bothered bringing them?

I'd assume that the parents bothered bringing them because they didn't know they'd react like that.

Compash · 07/12/2024 12:31

DarkAndTwisties · 07/12/2024 11:14

I'd assume that the parents bothered bringing them because they didn't know they'd react like that.

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Yeah... 'Let's take little Balonz to see Santa! It'll really shit him up, and his terrified reaction will make our Christmas!' 😄

Original poster
whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 12:35

Humphreyshead · 07/12/2024 10:11

Do you have parents who act up because of their pfb? Or their child is more important than others?

Not really. We have had a few ask if they can go next but always in a nice way.

OP posts:
Original poster
whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 12:36

The3rdWatermelon · 07/12/2024 10:46

When you get a small child who bursts into tears and hides their face when they see santa, and won’t interact with him in any way, do you internally roll your eyes and wonder why the parents bothered bringing them?

Not at all. He can be quite scary to some young children. But he's really good with them and usually the parents are prepared that it could happen.

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Original poster
whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 12:37

decemberknows · 07/12/2024 11:03

How much do you get paid?

I'm on minimum wage. But Santa is self employed and I think he gets paid quite a lot. We use the same person each year and he is definitely the best I've seen and worth the money. He makes the whole experience.

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MrsSkylerWhite · 07/12/2024 12:38

How does Santa manage to do all of the grottos at the same time? 😁

Original poster
whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 12:41

MrsSkylerWhite · 07/12/2024 12:38

How does Santa manage to do all of the grottos at the same time? 😁

MAGIC!!

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DarkAndTwisties · 07/12/2024 12:45

Do you ever get difficult questions from the children? We had Santa come down our road yesterday - done every year for charity, sleigh pulled by a car, he gets out to take pictures with children etc.
And then today DD went with my parents to a Santa breakfast thing. She asked why Santa's glasses were different to last night 🤦🏻‍♀️

MrsSkylerWhite · 07/12/2024 12:48

whosaidtha · Today 12:41

MrsSkylerWhite · Today 12:38
How does Santa manage to do all of the grottos at the same time? 😁

MAGIC

Ha, I’ve been right all these years!

Original poster
whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 12:48

DarkAndTwisties · 07/12/2024 12:45

Do you ever get difficult questions from the children? We had Santa come down our road yesterday - done every year for charity, sleigh pulled by a car, he gets out to take pictures with children etc.
And then today DD went with my parents to a Santa breakfast thing. She asked why Santa's glasses were different to last night 🤦🏻‍♀️

I haven't had any difficult ones like that. But I imagine Santa might have done. He's quite good a a jolly laugh and a redirect, like a politician answering a tough question.

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Christmas202 · 07/12/2024 13:37

I’m overprotective as a mum so I’ve never brought my youngest. My first thought about a dressed up Santa is who the hell are you and are you vetted. It’s seems crazy to say but the whole thing makes my blood run cold. Sorry just my opinion

The3rdWatermelon · 07/12/2024 13:40

whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 12:36

Not at all. He can be quite scary to some young children. But he's really good with them and usually the parents are prepared that it could happen.

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That’s a relief!

I was that parent last weekend and felt like an idiot for wasting everyone’s time

Original poster
whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 16:32

Christmas202 · 07/12/2024 13:37

I’m overprotective as a mum so I’ve never brought my youngest. My first thought about a dressed up Santa is who the hell are you and are you vetted. It’s seems crazy to say but the whole thing makes my blood run cold. Sorry just my opinion

That makes me feel so sad. Our Santa has been with us for 14 years. He's amazing. He's never alone with any of the kids and gives them magical experiences every year.

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Original poster
whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 16:34

naemates · 07/12/2024 09:40

Do you have more than one Santa? I think the one we went to last week had capacity for 4 at a time by their set up

We only have one. We have about we have 20ish children in each group and 5 groups each day. It's been a sell out!

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decemberknows · 07/12/2024 19:35

Have you met any of the reindeers yet?

Redburnett · 07/12/2024 19:41

I really hope your Santa does not actively encourage toddlers and children onto his knee and grab their mothers round the shoulders very tight, ostensibly for the photo, but it gave me the ick when i was an elf.
I second reading David Sedaris, the whole book is hilarious.

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 07/12/2024 19:51

You say Santa is self employed, I can imagine he can earn a pretty penny in the run up to Christmas - but what happens to the other eleven months?

Please don't say he's 'on benefits'.
That would really spoil the magic of Christmas for me, and my co-workers at the Benefits Office. 😧

Original poster
whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 22:28

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 07/12/2024 19:51

You say Santa is self employed, I can imagine he can earn a pretty penny in the run up to Christmas - but what happens to the other eleven months?

Please don't say he's 'on benefits'.
That would really spoil the magic of Christmas for me, and my co-workers at the Benefits Office. 😧

The real answer is he's preparing for Christmas!

He an actor so he does other acting jobs the rest of the time.

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Original poster
whosaidtha · 07/12/2024 22:29

Redburnett · 07/12/2024 19:41

I really hope your Santa does not actively encourage toddlers and children onto his knee and grab their mothers round the shoulders very tight, ostensibly for the photo, but it gave me the ick when i was an elf.
I second reading David Sedaris, the whole book is hilarious.

Not at all. The kids don't sit on him but next to him on his little bench. And he actually weirdly doesn't really put arms around the parents for photos but holds his hands up behind their back. I've never really noticed that before.

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Ihopeithinkiknow · 07/12/2024 23:15

Aww I love this thread and it sounds like it would be fun to be an elf for the month making Christmas special for the kids, I never took my son when he was little as he was autistic and I dread to think how my day would have panned out if he didn't receive his cuckoo clock or a set of real traffic lights from Santa haha no questions btw but at least I can say I have been in contact with an elf lol

unclemtty · 07/12/2024 23:37

Are 'Santa's' & their 'elves' DBS checked these days?

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