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.

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.