Christmas is the time to be with family and being grateful for what we have. A major reason we have this holiday is the famous figure many production studios have made countless movies about: St. Nicholas, better known as Santa Claus. What started out as a legend and has transformed a part of society into the traditional gift-giving, festive holiday we know today, Santa Claus has left his mark on the hearts of children one way or another.

One way or another, children have encountered Santa whether at the mall, in a parade, in a park, or while walking into a grocery store. Some children will ask how he can be everywhere at once but still be in the North Pole, ‘making’ gifts for them. Often, parents can be heard saying, ‘He’s one of the helpers,’ ‘It is magic,’ or ‘I don’t know how he does it.’ The true reality is that it is someone dressed up to pass on the spirit of Christmas. Some of these people come from agencies that malls and organizations will book out in advance. Others pick up the gigs from special hiring fairs or volunteering in their communities. 

Keith Bialo did a Santa Claus gig back in 2022 at Lone Creek Farms for their holiday event. “I did the Santa Claus gig to help others get into the Christmas Spirit,” Bialo said. “I remembered how my kids’ eyes lit up when they saw Santa. I thought it would be an awesome experience if I got to do that and bring joy, hope, and happiness to kids as I played the role.”

Santa Claus, while being a legendary figure (and, in the eyes of some, an excuse to sell expensive toys), touches the hearts of families and is one piece of the holiday magic that will not change in the near future.