My wife and I were Christmas shopping over the weekend. There, at center court, was the jolly ol’ elf himself, Kris Kringle, AKA Santa Claus brightening the season for a mall full of little ones. Well okay, that was the second time we passed center court. Our first time by, he was not there, but in his stead sat a huge overstuffed panda bear and a sign that read “Back at 3:30.” I suppose that was to let everyone know that Santa didn’t call in sick just in case you wanted to wait. Frankly, I don’t get the Panda thing – Panda Claus? What’s up with that? Since Gus is growing up, it’s more challenging to put it all in perspective.
I remember back when Gus still believed in Santa Claus. What fun! He sat on a number of Santa’s laps over the years: at the mall, at a local holiday light festival, at the Scottish Rite Family Life celebration (he even had dinner with that Santa – who would have thought Santa liked hot dogs and ice cream too!). So not only does Santa see you “when you’re sleeping”, and “he knows when you’re awake,” but then to top it off, wherever you go – there he is! We sing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” but really, if you look around, it’s more of an elfin invasion. He’s at this store, that mall, community festivities and parades, heck, we’ve even had him at our Graco Holiday parties for employees kids. (I don’t remember reading about Santa visits in our benefits package) On one hand it’s charming, and fun to see the joy on a child’s face when they see him, but on the other hand there is a certain creepiness about an all-knowing, all-seeing, all-over-the-place overgrown elf who eventually squeezes himself down your chimney while you’re sleeping in the middle of the night. Sorry – that’s the adult in me coming out.
But at some point, kids start to get wise to this Santa-saturation thing. Unless they truly have a Miracle on 34th Street experience, they’re likely to begin to doubt Santa somewhere along the way – at least the Rent-a-Santa. Kid’s will still hedge their bets and play along with you for a couple more years – just in case there’s something to this Santa thing. Maybe a friend or an older sibling spilled the beans, or the fact that some mall Santas smell like they could use a breath mint to cover their smoker’s breath. That’s what did it for me, anyway.
As for Gus, I remember his revelation.
He told me one day, “I know he’s not really Santa.”
“Oh, why’s that?” I asked sadly.
“Shoes. They all wear different shoes,” he said.
“Shoes?” I exclaimed.
“Some have buckles, some tie, and that guy’s shoes were all scratched up,” he said confidently.
“Oh,” I said, “so they’re not Santa?” thinking he was telling me there was no such thing as Santa.
“Nope, the real Santa never wears scratched up shoes. They’re just helping him out ‘cause there’s so many kids.”
Whew! That beautiful bit of toddler logic made me laugh – forget the clip-on beards, the money changing hands for a photo with a guy who gives gifts, and the differences in their girth – it’s the shoes that make the Santa! Inside I was so happy we could hold onto the wonder of childhood that is Santa just a little longer. This is a wonderful time of year – especially if you view it through the eyes of a child.
Ever been asked that terrible question about why there are so many Santa’s? How do you explain it?
Kids are too smart these days. My dad dressed as Santa a few years ago for my nieces and nephew. They were coming to meet Nanny and Poppy at the Ft Meyers airport. The kids immediately recognized that “Santa” had the same boat shoes as Poppy.
Silly dad…mom told you to change to the black dress shoes. lol
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