Photo by Chad David Kraus Photography

During the holidays, I’m an independent Mrs. Claus who works alone or with a few different Santas. Party planners often turn to me and Santa for advice on how to organize a visit. 

First, thank you for asking! It’s not too late to hire many of us in the Claus family. If you’ve already hired one or both of us for a scheduled event, you can always finesse. Santas and Mrs. Clauses around the globe should be happy to strategize with you based on your audience.

Second, think of your celebration as a sandwich. The two slices of bread are the Clauses’ departure and arrival. What’s in between are the delicious layers. 

Here are 5 party planner pointers when you hire a Mr. and Mrs. C:

Memorable visits are short, from 30 to 60 minutes. Longer than that and we become an awkward member of the family. Everyone knows that Santa’s busy, so guests understand his exit, especially if the time slot is accurately marketed. On your flyers and social media posts, advertise a brief schedule, such as:

• 6 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the plaza

• 6:15 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus light the tree and pose for photos

• 7 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus wave goodbye

In these communications, commit to two or three highlights and when they happen. Stick to these times, so that you don’t have guests waiting for hours to see Santa. Remember you are dealing with overscheduled adults and sleepy children.

Plan backward in regard to your ideal time slot. How do you want your North Pole guests to leave your party — as a final walk-through or maybe a group photo? Leaving is just as important as arriving, especially for children who might be upset if the Big Guy suddenly disappears. As a group, sing one or two verses of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The song is a classic, a perfect segue.

Consider the type of sandwich. Photographs are usually the main “protein” of a holiday event involving St. Nick. Wonderful! Considering that most people have smartphone cameras, talk through a traffic flow pattern before the party. Set out a comfortable chair by the tree, out of the way of wait staff and caterers. Offer a stool for people who don’t want to sit in Santa’s lap, an increasing trend. Have an elf, staff person, or Mrs. Claus direct the photo line with clear entry and exit points for the excited youngsters. Designate someone to take photos for families, so Mom and Dad don’t have to be excluded. Offer a place to hide coats. Be sure to include vertical pictures, which look best on Instagram, and remind guests to tag your establishment.

Other activities could include a horse and buggy ride, a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” the presentation of awards, or an ugly sweater contest with the Clauses as judges.

For tree lightings, invite us to preside near the tree. Do a countdown from 10 to 1 before you flip the switch. It’s such a simple piece of drama, but adults weep over this. So test the lights beforehand. Have some jokes handy in case there’s a glitch. Guests empathize with Charlie Brown moments, especially when you maintain merriness.

Warmup by building community. Successful events magnify all the resources around you. If the Girl Scouts want to sing carols, welcome them with a three-song limit. Invite elected officials to say a few words. They love being photographed with happy constituents doing good things for others. Allow leaders in your establishment to trumpet the year’s accomplishments and explain how to donate a toy for the annual Toy Drive. Maybe do a trivia contest or provide face painting for the kids. Offer a working mic to amplify quiet voices in large rooms. You are building anticipation and a network of positive change, not just for today but the year to come. Be bold. Be generous with your spirit, free of charge.

Grand entrances must spark joy. Now here we are at the top of our sandwich, the part that makes you want to take a bite. Coordinate, coordinate, coordinate. You know how dog owners talk to their pets before a walk? Are your ready for Santa? Huh? Huh? Who's a good boy?

Do that.

Make sure the Clauses are just around the corner, ready to enter away from their parked and hidden cars. (Note: We are costume characters who may also be wearing gloves while navigating umbrellas on rainy nights. We can’t answer every nervous text or call. We are aware.) 

We love walking into a party with our arms up, reveling in all of the joy of the season. Let us be your king and queen and consider the most beautiful spaces in your room. Maybe you have a balcony, a red carpet, or French doors. Allow us to linger near these places. Your guests will love the theater. Never underestimate the power of memory.

I am a Mrs. Claus during the holidays. I have performed for the Clinton family, guests at major department stores, and many, many families. My website is mrsclausnyc.com. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @mrsclausnyc.

This season, I am working at Rockefeller Center in an office you’ll never ever find. With 19 buildings, the center is considered a campus with rooftop gardens and a whole underground city below.

I had the pleasure of watching the rink become the rink, converted from an outdoor restaurant into a giant ice cube. Every morning, I pass the Today show!

And this morning in the elevator, I learned about the tree. For the first time since 1959, West Stockbridge, Mass., supplies the tree, a lush Norway Spruce.

Made on Canva as a rough template

I know lots of Mrs. Clauses who read books to children during their gigs. Since I have been using Canva a lot, I discovered bookmark templates!!! I thought I would share a branding opportunity and give some simple instructions, so that you can hand out your own branded bookmarks.

First, look at Canva to see shared design ideas for Instagram posts, fliers, Facebook posts, book covers, and yes, book marks. Artists share their designs. Many are free! You can customize by uploading your own photos.

• The example above is called Red Heart Bookmark that is ready for customization.

• Rename the bookmark to something like “MrsClaus Bookmark,” so that if I share it, I know what it is.

• Make a Mrs. Claus folder and move your bookmark into this folder. Now you know how to find your work easily!

Second, put on your design cap and keep going with customization.

• Customize your new template that has your new name on it.

• Upload personal photos that you might want to use by going to “Upload” on the left side of the screen. Click that and upload photos related to you reading.

• Look on the left side of the screen and see “Elements.” These are shapes you can add, some of them are space holders for photos that are in various shapes. Take a look. I used the photo place holder that is in the shape of a heart, since my background is hearts.

• I dragged that heart photo space holder onto the bookmark, toward the bottom. You might also do the top because that is what people will see when they use the bookmark.

• Now go back to “Upload” on the left side of the screen. Click the icon and see your uploaded photos. You will select a photo and drag it onto the shape until the photo replaces the empty space in the heart.

• To add text, click “Text” on the left side of the screen. I used one of the fun options and typed in my own message of “Reading is fun!” For my branding, I changed the font to Canva sans and clicked on “Effects” to make the background of my text stand out against the heart background.

• If you want to design a back, click on “+Add a page” at the bottom of your design. This will make a two-sided image.

Fourth, download.

• Once you have a design you like, download it to your computer or phone by clicking “Share” on the right upper corner of your screen. Click on the best option for you, whether a JPG or PDF. Note, you can also email and text links to friends, giving them editing privileges if they’re crafty or just visual cues if they can print for you.

• If you make additional changes to your design, always make a new download and delete earlier versions, so you don’t accidentally send an older image.

Fifth, print.

• If you want to have your bookmarks professionally printed, give yourself plenty of time before the event, so that your items arrive on time. Click on “Share” on the right upper corner of your screen. Hit “Print with Canva.”

• A single design is $9.95, 10 are $12, and 20 are $16.25. As you can see, it’s more cost-efficient to buy in bulk.

• You can also print at home by clicking “Share,” selecting the best download option for printing, going to your download on your computer, and print your download.

Photo by Tim Darwish

Sshhh!

The Mrs. Claus sisterhood has a name for bossy Santas. We call them “peacocks.” These are men who push us out of the way during photo opps, who jump in front of us when we’re being interviewed. (I’m not talking about Santa but the men who wear the costume.)

Yes, America, Mrs. Clauses and elves network with each other to keep the nation together. We discuss contracts and strategies. It takes courage to be ourselves in the character. So many stop signs make us question our business skills, our regional knowledge, and our ethics. We have to do so much WORK before we do the work.

Whether we’re from the Deep South or the Midwest, we hop on the phone to laugh or cry together. We pray with each other, if that’s our practice. We tailor our support.

St. Nicks, if you’re reading, here is a nice list of what we, your female colleagues, expect (and celebrate if you’re doing already):

🍭We expect you to wake up and show up on time to gigs. We are not your alarm clocks.

🍭We love your beards. But if we have to sit through another beard care lecture at a Santa convention, we and the elves go on strike.

🍭We want you to include us in photos and in conversations with guests. Let’s do it together.

🍭We want you to give us credit for our ideas. We will do the same for you.

🍭We want you to speak up if our pay is unfair. No one will ever replace YOU, dear Santa. Ever. But please notice and ask questions.

🍭We want you to enjoy our time together, remembering that children are watching.

Ultimately, feminism can make a nicer planet.

🤶🏻🤶🏼🤶🏽🤶🏾🤶🏿

I was a feminist before I was a Claus. Now, I’m a warrior. My weapon is a bracelet of sleigh bells.

If you like this and want to dig deeper into women and Christmas, click here to visit my friend Ann Votaw (me without a wig). I can say things she can’t. She can say things I can’t through her ventures in standup.

I got addicted to America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, a new docuseries on Netflix.

It’s so good I raved about it with one of my favorite Santas as we toasted over toast and coffee at Manhattan Diner. I said, “The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are sooo good. You don’t even understand.”

I mentioned that fans come for the football, and they expect high-end entertainment, including the cheerleaders. While senior DCC may earn as much as $75,000 a year, according to the New York Times, others earn $14/hr. In comparison to the football players, who can earn tens of millions, the women’s salaries are nearer to those of a “Chick-fil-A worker,” says one former cheerleader.

Their hair is perfect. Their kicks are to the face. Their jump splits take a toll on their hips, but they keep smiling and working second jobs.

I brought this up because clients come to holiday events to see Santa. Of course. And they expect high-end entertainment through the elves and Mrs. Claus.

I don’t mind making a little less than Santa if he works more hours, interacts with the children more, and is expected to perform more feats of skill than me. I do wonder when my pay is significantly lower than his. (I have sweet ways of asking around.) Often, I am expected to jump around and dance to get the crowd excited, which as a performer, I love to do. My point is that it’s my privilege to make people smile. And I’m working hard too. My time, energy, and expertise have value.

What did my Santa friend say?

He stopped me.

“I want you to get paid the same amount as I do. When I have the opportunity to negotiate contracts, I demand it,” he said.

And this is why he is one of my favorite Santas.

As appears in the Women’s History Month Issue of Christmas Connections, 2024 

Grandma inspired me to be Mrs. Claus. Graceful and fashionable, she was a deep lover of carols and Scripture.

When I visited her in Indiana in 2018, I wore my red and white costume because she liked glamor.

At her assisted living center, she introduced me: “This is my granddaughter, Mrs. Claus.”

I was new at portraying the North Pole queen in New York, where I live. Yet Grandma’s friends nodded reverently. Then everyone went back to coffee and puzzles. It was a fact, just like lunch and the afternoon movie.

Grandma died in 2021. That interaction continues to inform me. No one at that facility told me I was “too this or that” to be Mrs. Claus, a fictional character who celebrates Creation. 

I know that if people imagine St. Nick’s wife, they don’t envision me: a broad-shouldered woman standing at 5 '10'’.

However, I caught the Kringle bug in my 40s because I was a former dancer who missed performing. Each season, male actor friends donned the beard. I loved their stories so much that in 2017, my mind shouted: “Go!” 

After volunteering for tree lighting, I was an instant convert. I was so blissful I didn’t notice I might be the only Mrs. in Manhattan. 

No matter. 

I joined every insider group on Facebook. I attended Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School. I traveled to trade conventions.

At one of these gatherings, a respected Claus told me I looked too young to be Santa’s wife. His words could singe an HR director’s eyebrows. I held back tears. 

Apparently, I was making a fool of myself.

On Claus social media, I read about the loss of “tradition” and knew I didn’t belong. 

Fortunately, Santa pals encouraged me to continue. Now at 49, I spend less time garnering approval. Instead, I pray and trust my instincts.

It's taken me years to get regular gigs. If there is another Mrs. C in town, I haven’t met her.

I’m on the right track. I know it. When I put on my costume, I feel a jolt.

Like Barbie in the Greta Gerwig film, I adore all my outfits: a black and white-striped skirt, a scarlet blazer, and a crimson dress from Amazon. But my favorite is a green Edwardian suit, a collaboration between me and a designer in Medina, Ohio.

These pieces turn me into a superhero. By day, I am a receptionist. In December, I am magic.

Two years ago, the owner of a production company found me on Instagram. She called to ask if I might work in a department store. The format would be unusual. Rather than sitting on thrones, we would perform theatrical vignettes in front of designated photo spots.

The name of the store? Nordstrom in Midtown, Manhattan.

OMG!

“Mrs. Claus!” I often heard in a shift. “This is a treat. I hardly get to see you.”

If customers said I looked good for my age, I responded with: “Thank you. So do you.”

Once this year, an inebriated man joked that I looked younger than my partner, an Old-World Santa. Wasn’t Santa a lucky guy? Wink! Wink! My partner, younger than me in real life, just smiled and asked the gentleman for an “elfie.” We handled the moment and moved on.

Children never compared my age to Santa’s, unless they were math whizzes who wanted me and S.C. to generate big numbers. Nor did they care if Santa had a disability or if he were Black or white.

If I treat Christmas colleagues like family, the public accepts my reality.

I learned this lesson from the elves, many of whom were Broadway performers. On set, they never broke character.

Santas were equally professional, leading by example. On my last shift this season, I marveled at Santa Chris, who listened to each child. He was exhausted, but he tasted each word of “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” Instead of harping on my age, he focused on what was important.

This year, a woman’s clothing store, M.M. LaFleur, hired me to host a breakfast. They only wanted Mrs. Claus and appreciated suggestions. We had such a good time they asked me back. 

Wow! I have a niche.

Social media is important for promotional reasons. However, certain banter hinders self-esteem and discovery.

For example, what if Mrs. Claus appears to be 20 or 30? Does that ruin tradition by making Santa look like he has a trophy wife?

Allow me to answer:

1.   Women determine their own look without apology, just as Santa does.

2.   “Trophy wife” is a discriminatory statement. We owe it to young girls and ourselves to eliminate such damaging phrases.

3.   None of this is a big deal, especially to kids. Why not rely on professionalism and be a couple for just a few hours of a gig?

4.   This obsession with Mrs. Claus’ age may not be about age. I believe some Santas want us to appear downtrodden, to make themselves look more radiant. A perceived “break in tradition” can be threatening to people who don’t want to share.

5.   Finally, clinging to the past isn’t healthy. And guess what? We all do it, when we need a hug.

Grandma was Mrs. Claus. She wore pearls to match sweaters that were soft as clouds. She set out toy villages and filled them with lights. She displayed a nativity scene that my father built out of stained glass. She crafted beautiful ornaments. One year, she fashioned corn husk dolls. Another, she made bread dough bears in lederhosen.

As I tried to graduate from the kiddie table, she resisted. I wondered if rituals helped her cope with her chaotic childhood. Her traditions captured family history. They also coincided with trauma.

Raised during the Great Depression, she lost her father in a car accident that killed him, the other occupant, and the two people in the opposite vehicle. It was Thanksgiving Day.

During World War II, her only brother was in Normandy. Her mother, sister, niece, and sister-in-law ate rationed food. Every night in Huntington, Indiana, a gentleman would visit each house to make sure the blackout curtains were down. “We prayed all the time,” she told me.

Grandma grew up in a time of extreme sacrifice. Her Christmases were as much about survival as joy.

As her oldest grandchild, I say it’s okay to give some traditions a rest. However, I inherited all of her white wigs. To honor her during the holidays, I wear the hair with pride.

Grandma nurtured four children and many grandkids. Her organizational skills were crucial to starting the family business. To this day, Votaw Electric is going strong in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Yet she was too self-effacing to hear what so many tried to tell her, that she was an artist. 

I see Grandma when I look in the mirror. My job is to go further, to adorn myself with spirit and to keep following that star. 

Sisters, come with me.

"A Visit from St. Nicholas" turns 200 this year! You may know it better by "T'was the Night Before Christmas."🌲🌲

Last time, we talked about assonance, when vowel sounds get repeated.

Today, we will talk more about the storytelling.

The poem's SPEAKER and the poem's AUTHOR may be two different people. An author can invent a speaker and write from that person's point of view. In the land of imagination, an author can even make an inanimate object the SPEAKER.

Let's do some detective work. So who is the speaker in "T'was the Night Before Christmas"? Does the speaker have a gender? Physical attributes? Quirks? Is the speaker from the past or the future?

🟩"Mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap"

🟩"I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter"

🟩"And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself"

In November, I did a practice teaching session to four Clauses. A Mrs. Claus in Ohio said she changes the speaker’s gender, so that SHE becomes the SPEAKER.

Yes! I love this.

The more I dive into the poem, the more I learn and enjoy. As a Mrs. Claus who can work alone without a Santa, I want to offer fun educational sessions about poetry. Write to me at mrsclausnyc@gmail.com if you’d like a fun lecture, online or in person. Follow my lessons on Instagram and Facebook.❤️❤️

A big shout-out to the Three Wise Guys of Christmas: Washington Irving, John Pintard, and Clement Clarke Moore. These New York City gentlemen shared a fondness for St. Nicholas, the patron saint of Dutch New Amsterdam.

In their imaginings, a Dutch Sinterklaas (St. Nick) flew over New York. Through writings and images, Sinterklaas kept getting rosier and Clausier.

The artistic Dutch revival "remembered" a Christmas that never actually existed, one that glorified Old Days before the British occupied Manhattan during the Revolutionary War.

Here's how each of these men contributed to the legend of Santa Claus:

✅Merchant John Pintard, founder of the New-York Historical Society, thought robust Christmas celebrations might release workers' pent-up energies. He petitioned for St. Nicholas to be the patron saint of New York City. He also observed Dec. 6 as the Feast of St. Nicholas.

✅Writer Washington Irving wrote A History of New York, a whimsical history of early New York that mentioned a flying figure in the sky. The book was published on St. Nicholas Day, December 6, 1809. Irving also was a co-founder of the St. Nicholas Society.

✅Scholar Clement Clarke Moore wrote "A Visit from St. Nicholas," also known as "T'was the Night Before Christmas." He wrote the poem to entertain his nine children at his Chelsea estate. The poem first appeared in the Troy Sentinel in 1823, making this year its 200th anniversary.

Sources: New-York Historical Society, Wikipedia, Sunnyside in Tarrytown, NY

Visit me at mrsclausnyc.com ❤❤❤❤

"A Visit from St. Nicholas" turns 200 this year! It's lasted so long partly because it feels so good to recite out loud. It has "sound pleasure."

Last week, you learned about alliteration, which is when repeated consonants fall near each other in a text. Think: Meatless Monday or Tom Turkey.

Assonance is similar to alliteration but it involves repeated vowel sounds, regardless of the consonants around it.

If your mouth forms the same shape when reciting certain vowels, you may have found assonance, also known as vowel rhyme.

Here are examples:

🟩"Creature was stirring" [Hear the ur?]

🟩"Nestled all snug in their beds" [Hear the eh?]

🟩 "Moon on the breast of the new ..." [Hear the ooo?]

🟩 "Sleigh and eight tiny rein ... " [Hear the aaa?]

Stay tuned for more fun facts about this famous poem.

The more I dive into the poem, the more I learn and enjoy. As a Mrs. Claus who can work alone without a Santa, I want to offer fun educational sessions about poetry. Write to me at mrsclausnyc@gmail.com if you’d like a fun lecture, online or in person. Follow my lessons on Instagram and Facebook.❤️❤️

I dedicate my poem, "I Put on My Garment," to Mrs. Clauses, and all women, who face criticism for their clothing and hair choices. I was inspired by actor Sheryl Lee Ralph. Her appearance as Mrs. Claus in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade was a revelation.

Here's two things for Mrs. Clauses to remember:

✅We know how to hit our professional marks.

✅We wear what makes us so happy we can't keep from singing.

In the Claus community, we can fear changes, including necessary tweaks to our image, from more comfortable shoes to hats that stay on in the wind. Sometimes, updates get us closer to the very heart of our own Creator. 🎨 In adapting, we are better able to radiate and serve while welcoming the living spirits of those no longer with us.

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

I Put on My Garment

by Ann Votaw, Mrs. Claus NYC

I put on my garment

made of breath,

of leaves that fall.

Their death

instructs eternity.

I am queen in my garment

that brushes roots and what came before.

I lift my silver head

to cathedral

and great sky.

A fine city day.

Blue.

Cold.

It is fall going into

darkest winter.

I fear nothing

in this fullness.

Not the roar of the subway,

Nor my cat’s purr

gone still in sleep.

A Visit from St. Nicholas" turns 200 this year! 🌲🌲"

Why is it such a beloved poem?

One reason is that reading it feels good. The language provides sound pleasure.

An example of sound pleasure is the use of alliteration, when repeated consonant sounds are positioned closely together within the text.

Here are some examples of alliteration in the poem:

🟩"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer!"

🟩"On, Comet! on, Cupid!"

🟩 "The prancing and pawing of each little hoof."

The more I dive into the poem, the more I learn and enjoy. As a Mrs. Claus who can work alone without a Santa, I want to offer fun educational sessions about poetry. Write to me at mrsclausnyc@gmail.com if you’d like a fun lecture, online or in person. Follow my lessons on Instagram and Facebook.

"A Visit from St. Nicholas" turns 200 this year!

Fun fact: The famous poem by Clement Clarke Moore is written in Anapestic Tetrameter.

Last week, we learned that an anapest is a “foot” consisting of a “da da DUM.” Tetrameter is four “da da DUM”s in one line.

Try clapping out the rhythm and notice the words that get the most emphasis:

🟩T'was the NIGHT before CHRISTmas when ALL through the HOUSE🏠

🟩Not a CREAture was STIRRing Not EVEn a MOUSE.

This is a great comedic and narrative device. Another poem that uses this is Dr. Suess's "Yertle the Turtle." Take a look below:

🟩And toDAY the Great YERtle, that MARvelous HE.

The more I dive into the poem, the more I learn and enjoy. As a Mrs. Claus who can work alone without a Santa, I want to offer fun educational sessions about poetry. Write to me at mrsclausnyc@gmail.com if you’d like a fun lecture, online or in person. Follow my lessons on Instagram and Facebook.

"A Visit from St. Nicholas" turns 200 this year!

Last night, I hosted an online lesson about the poem’s form, history, and legacy. It was a practice session for me. I want to be conversant on-the-fly. Four professional Clauses and my aunt showed up on Zoom. We practiced saying “anapestic tetrameter” 10 times. No one got hurt!

The more I dive into the poem, the more I learn and enjoy.

Anapestic tetrameter is a poetic form from Polish literature that includes four poetic "feet," or rhythm patterns, in one line.

For example: T'was the NIGHT before CHRISTmas when ALL through the HOUSE

Try clapping out the rhythm and notice the words that get the most emphasis.

Stay tuned for more fun facts about this famous poem.

As a Mrs. Claus who can work alone without a Santa, I want to offer fun educational sessions about poetry. Write to me at mrsclausnyc@gmail.com. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for weekly poetry lessons.

“A Visit from St. Nicholas,” the famous poem by Clement Clarke Moore, turns 200 this year.

To honor the poet and poem, best known as "T’was the Night Before Christmas,” I developed educational material. I am happy to lead short 30-minute talks for individuals or groups in-person or on-line.

Here are three reasons I’m qualified to teach a class on this Christmas poem:

1) I am a professional Mrs. Claus.

That means I have been to the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland Michigan. I have also worked at major New York City department stores.

As a founding president (now former president) of the New York City Santas, I hosted a meeting with a curator from the New-York Historical Society, who told us about C.C. Moore and the museum’s desk, on which he probably penned the poem.

Finally, I am often asked to read the poem. Some party organizers ask that I skip the “smoking” part, when Santa’s pipe smoke “encircled his head like a wreath.” Other places don’t care and let me recite the piece in its entirety, the way it first appeared in the Troy Sentinel on December 23, 1823.

2) During the pandemic, I gravitated toward poetry as an essential art form.

I didn’t have the bandwidth to read novels. Covid living was a metaphor for poetry, condensing so many emotions into confined physical spaces.

I picked up my old copies of books by Walt Whitman and Robert Frost. Then I ventured into the works of U.S. poet laureates Billy Collins, Joy Harjo, and Ada Limón.

Finally, I took classes, including an exceptional online ModPo class through the University of Pennsylvania.

I learned about Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman as the Adam and Eve of modern American poetry. Out of that lineage came the Imagist, Dadaist, Communist, Harlem Renaissance, Beat, New York School, and Language poets.

So while C.C. Moore is pre-Emily and Walt, I can see how he was inspired by European poetry traditions. (He writes in anapestic tetrameter!) But he adapted old forms to American narratives. In doing so, he asserted himself in a new way in a new country.

3) I have a Sightseeing Guide License in New York City.

My nerd-dom is official. For the past three seasons, I have been leading various on-line talks about Santa history. It’s a subject that makes me feel like an explorer.

Stay tuned. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @mrsclausnyc to learn more. I will soon be looking for a test audience of non-paying but supportive participants.

So many reds, friends.

Each delicious and full of meaning.

I have four basic Mrs. Claus looks for functionality and to prevent clashing with Santa Claus’ red suit. If I’m working with a new Santa, someone I’ve never met, I’ll ask for photos of his look. And then, like Ginger Rogers dancing backwards in heels, I compromise. I find outfit pieces that might make us look like a pair.

I don’t mind doing this. I also have a green jacket, to prevent clashing at all.

Yet I do notice that Santa is often the main fashion editor. Just like in non-character life, I notice that gender plays a role.

Here’s a poem I wrote:

Photo by Chad Kraus Photography

During the holidays, I’m an independent Mrs. Claus who works alone or with a few different Santas. Party planners often turn to me and Santa for advice on how to organize visits. 

First, thank you for asking! September through November is prime time to hire members of the Claus family. If you’ve already hired one or both of us for a scheduled event, you can always finesse. Even if it’s mid-December, many Santas and Mrs. Clauses might be happy to strategize with you.

Second, think of your celebration as a sandwich. The two slices of bread are the Clauses’ departure and arrival. What’s in between are the delicious layers. 

Here are 5 party planner pointers when you hire a Mr. and Mrs. C:

Memorable visits are short, from 30 to 60 minutes. Longer than that and we become an awkward member of the family. Everyone knows that Santa’s busy, so guests understand his exit, especially if the time slot is accurately marketed. On your flyers and social media posts, advertise a brief schedule, such as:

• 6 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the plaza

• 6:15 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus light the tree and pose for photos

• 7 PM - Santa and Mrs. Claus wave goodbye

In these communications, commit to two or three highlights and when they happen. Stick to these times, so that you don’t have guests waiting for hours to see Santa. Remember you are dealing with overscheduled adults and overly stimulated children.

Plan backward in regard to your ideal time slot. How do you want your North Pole guests to leave your party — as a final walk-through or maybe a group photo? Leaving is just as important as arriving, especially for children who might be upset if the Big Guy suddenly disappears. As a group, sing one or two verses of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The song is a classic, a perfect segue.

Consider the type of sandwich. Photographs are usually the main “protein” of a holiday event involving St. Nick. Wonderful! Considering that most people have smartphone cameras, talk through a traffic flow pattern before the party. Set out a comfortable chair by the tree, out of the way of wait staff and caterers. Offer a stool for people who don’t want to sit in Santa’s lap, an increasing trend. Have an elf, staff person, or Mrs. Claus direct the photo line with clear entry and exit points for the excited youngsters. Designate someone to take photos for families, so Mom and Dad don’t have to be excluded. Offer a place to hide coats. Be sure to include vertical pictures, which look best on Instagram, and remind guests to tag your establishment.

Other activities could include a horse and buggy ride, a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” the presentation of awards, or an ugly sweater contest with the Clauses as judges.

For tree lightings, invite us to preside near the tree. Do a countdown from 10 to 1 before you flip the switch. It’s such a simple piece of drama, but adults weep over this. So test the lights beforehand. Have some jokes handy in case there’s a glitch. Guests empathize with Charlie Brown moments, especially when you maintain merriness.

Warmup by building community. Successful events magnify all the resources around you. If the Girl Scouts want to sing carols, welcome them with a three-song limit. Invite elected officials to say a few words. They love being photographed with happy constituents doing good things for others. Allow leaders in your establishment to trumpet the year’s accomplishments and explain how to donate a toy for the annual Toy Drive. Maybe do a trivia contest or provide face painting for the kids. Offer a working mic to amplify quiet voices in large rooms. You are building anticipation and a network of positive change, not just for today but the year to come. Be bold. Be generous with your spirit, free of charge.

Grand entrances must spark joy. Now here we are at the top of our sandwich, the part that makes you want to take a bite. Coordinate, coordinate, coordinate. You know how dog owners talk to their pets before a walk? Are your ready for Santa? Huh? Huh? Who's a good boy?

Do that.

Make sure the Clauses are just around the corner, ready to enter away from their parked and hidden cars. (Note: We are costume characters who may also be wearing gloves while navigating umbrellas on rainy nights. We can’t answer every nervous text or call. We are aware.) 

We love walking into a party with our arms up, reveling in all of the joy of the season. Let us be your king and queen and consider the most beautiful spaces in your room. Maybe you have a balcony, a red carpet, or French doors. Allow us to linger near these places. Your guests will love the theater. Never underestimate the power of memory.

I am a Mrs. Claus during the holidays. I have performed for the Clinton family, guests at major department stores, and many, many families. My website is mrsclausnyc.com. Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @mrsclausnyc.

My grandmother loved Christmas. When I visited her senior community dressed as Mrs. Claus, she introduced me to all of her friends. 

“This is my granddaughter, Mrs. Claus,” she said. She was serious and proud. She might as well have said, “This is my granddaughter, the Disney princess.”

And she had some wigs she was reluctant to wear. For some reason, she never fully committed to them.

And now all this hair is mine. And Grandma comes with me everywhere I go. I dedicate this season to her. I miss her very much.

Let me introduce my synthetic follicles to you in order:

The Adalaide (Paula Young)

She travels well. She just needs a good shake out. I wore her to the Claus Family Reunion in Gatlinberg, TN.

The Daisy (Paula Young)

She is my favorite. She also travels well but has more movement. Think Daisy Buchanon or Debby Harry (Hairy). I like the icy color, a bit more magical.

Untitled (Paula Young)

This one probably has a name, but I don’t know it. My mom sent it to me in an envelope. I took it out and wore it while cooking dinner one night, just to see how it felt. I felt like I was channeling my beloved grandma.

Now here are others.

Mrs. Garret

My first wig needs lots of care. I’ve taken her to wig artists who shake their heads. She is just on that magic side of inexpensive and delicate. One would have to take down her bun, wash her, and start anew. She looks good under a bonnet.

The Janice

This is a new one that I like for online visits. I love the color and movement. But this doesn’t work well with a collar in the wind. The strands stick to my lipstick.

Marie Antoinette

Love this one. Just fun and messy. Cute as a contrast to the bright red I wear sometimes.

And now, enjoy a parade. See if you can correctly guess which one is which. And stay tuned for my beard collection, my new emergency collection, in case I work with a Santa who doesn’t have his own whiskers.

Photo by Michelle V. Agins of The New York Times

Last week, New York City companies were required to list salary ranges in their job descriptions. The New York Times had fun and made a quiz.

I took it.

And guess what?

The first question pertains to the hourly rate of Macy’s elves. I guessed correctly.

Hmmm.

Give it a go.

Hint. Aim low.

Photo by Kevin Hagen, Wall Street Journal, December 2019

My Mrs. Claus status is on my day-job resume. It’s a small reference. You have to squint to find it. But it’s there. Sometimes, employers stumble on my Santa side hustle. Conversations are delightful. Workers with alter egos are awesome. Here’s why:

1. Costuming allows you to imagine a different life for yourself. Instead of using phrases like, “When I am this age, I will … ,” a Santa speaks in the present with language that is true now.

2. Monday morning gives you secret rock star status. While co-workers drag themselves out of bed, you radiate from the weekend’s festivities.

3. Your daily wardrobe is out of Central Casting. Superman wore briefs over tights, a human resources nightmare. But Clark Kent sported thick-rimmed glasses and character-driven jackets that had a style all their own.

4. You have a backstory. During meetings, you reflect on it and smile.

5. You see possibilities where others don’t, while never leaving the office. That means you might be the person to dance at the water cooler.