Kathryn Rohe

Kathryn Rohe is a costume design professor at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. A long-time dresser for Broadway’s Lion King and Mama Mia!, she knows so much about the little things. Here she is with her little Nalas and little Simbas:

Kathryn Rohe worked with the children in Broadway’s Lion King.

On Monday, May 3, she presented “Never Bunch Up Again” for the NYC Santas. Click here to watch. While the Santas enjoyed learning about the components of a perfect pair of pants, they took notes when Kathryn mentioned sweat.

For Santas, overheating is a hot topic. And having dealt with Julie Taymor’s massive costumes in the Lion King, Kathryn knows a thing or two about keeping actors cool and clean. Here is a principal dresser for the Lion King.

This Broadway dresser tends to the performer throughout the show to make sure she is comfortable and able to function when she can’t use her hands.

Ice packs come in two forms: the kind you break and the kind your freeze. The kind you break are single use. The kind you freeze are reusable. Experiment with sewing pockets into your cotton undershirt. Two pockets can hold ice packs around the front ribs. One pocket can hold an ice pack in the back.

Hand-held fans are great during extremely hot events. Kathryn shared backstage photos of Lion King actors finding relief with mini fans. 

Here are some of Kathryn’s other tips to treat smells and stains:

1. Bacteria causes odors in fabric, a no no for Santas. Kill germs by spraying a solution of one part cheap vodka and one part water onto a sweaty garment. Don’t douse but cover a large area. Let the garment air dry. Febreze is fine too, but Kathryn prefers non-scented and non-synthetic products to prevent buildup and allergic reactions. End Bac can be dangerous if used in a poorly ventilated area, but it’s good for shoes.

2. Wear a white 100% cotton T-shirt under your Claus clothing. If you wear a wicking shirt, your sweat may go into your expensive one-of-a-kind Santa suit, exactly where you do not want it to go. But test out both fabrics and decide what works for you. People in the Middle Ages wore heavy garments on top and cotton chemises underneath to protect their clothing.

3. Dress shields or “pit pads” are your underarm friends. Try products like Kleinert’s Disposable Dress Shields. Kathryn has made her own sweat barriers by cutting up umbrellas to make layers between costumes and an actor who was a “profuse sweater.” You can add snaps to these “shields” to snap them on and off the costume for easier cleaning. Wash these guards in a laundry bag to keep them from getting lost in the washer.

4. Underarm ventilation may work. An eyelet or invisible hole in the underarm seam might be a great cooling system. Kathryn thought of this during the conversation. Talk to your tailor.

5. Treat makeup stains right away. Products include Fels-Naptha soap, baby wipes, and hair spray.  

6. Find a good dry cleaner that understands costuming. For New Yorkers, Winzer Dry Cleaning has a reputation for handling specialty theatrical garments. But you can ask around and find a business that really cares about your expensive clothing. When it comes to white furry cuffs, consider detachable pieces that can be cleaned separately to avoid the dreaded “pinks” so common in the Santa world. 

“If it does not come with a Santa guarantee,” Kathryn said in the talk, “it cannot be any good.”

Related Article: How to Gift Your Claus Clothing

Related Article: Does Your Dry Cleaner Have a Tony? Mine Does

Monday, May 3, 6 - 7 PM Eastern Standard Time: “Costuming 101 with a Behind-the-Scenes Dresser on Broadway” Here’s the link.

Kathryn Rohe is a costume designer at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. A long-time dresser for Broadway’s Lion King and Mama Mia!, she knows how quality garments contribute to an actor’s character. Costumes can also lead to problems, like overheating and bunching up. Have a question about one of your problematic Santa pieces, from wigs to coats? Send a photo to nycsantas@gmail.com. During our interview and Q&A, Kathryn can come to the rescue.

Side note: She has also helped with costumes on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Ever heard of it?

Past meetings:

Read: Get on the Podcast Sleigh with Louise Cornetta

Read: Storytelling Gets Real with Ann Shapiro

Louise Cornetta

“Less is more,” says Louise Cornetta, a program director at ESPN, where she specializes in podcasts dedicated to sports. She spoke to the New York City Santas on April 5, 2021 in a virtual session called “Podcasting Dos and Don’ts.”

For Santas wanting to produce their own radio-style shows, like the Santa Cast Podcast, Louise recommends keeping programs short and conversational. Fans tend to leave a program after the hour mark, so if you only have 20 minutes of an interview, use it. Your audience will appreciate your brevity.

Also, “it isn’t enough just to be a Santa,” she says. You have to stand out from the millions of other shareable audible programs by having an angle and a personal connection to the audience. ESPN’s Katie Nolan, for example, hosts the popular show “Sports?”, a weekly podcast featuring interviews with comedians, scientists, and all sorts of other sports fans. People respond to Nolan’s friendliness and her “tangential” coverage.

Below are 7 tips for successfully launching your own audio series, perhaps something along the line of “A Day in the Life of Santa”:

1. Don’t spend more than $100. All you need is a medium-priced mic. Try free editing software like Audacity. 

2. Decide on a platform. Try popular ones like Spotify or Apple.

3. Record sessions for the future. Anticipate not having time to do a podcast in December. Schedule programs now that will go live later on.

4. Learn how to “verbal font.” Because your listeners can’t see you, repeat your guest’s names frequently, as in “What do you think of that, Santa Bob?” and “Thank you for asking, Santa Pete.”

5. Get feedback from your audience. Set up free voicemail boxes for your fans to record their responses to your program. Use Twitter to send out polls that garner audience engagement.

6. Push out your content. Once you have finished a podcast, post it on Twitter to build awareness. Make a short video snippet of your recording session on Zoom and post to Instagram with a link to your podcast.

7. Listen to other podcasts and cross promote. Fans love to hear recommendations for related podcasts. One of the best ways to gain an audience is by having your podcast advertised on another related podcast. Reach out to hosts of your favorite Claus-friendly programs. See if they will advertise your program on theirs.

Upcoming Meetings

Stay tuned for our May 3 meeting about how to avoid wardrobe malfunctions and stay cool under all your Santa gear. To sign up and learn more about our guest Kathryn Rohe, a Broadway dresser, read Join Our Santa Costume Conversation: Never Bunch Up Again. We will be taking off the month of June in hopes of meeting in person in July for Christmas in July.

Past Meetings

Congratulations to our recent guest Ann Shapiro for her 20 years with Connecticut Storytelling Center. In case you missed our March meet, read Storytelling Gets Real with Ann Shapiro.

“Do you know the story of Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle?” Ann Shapiro asked a group of 21 New York City Santas in a March 15, 2021 meeting. Ann is executive director of the Connecticut Storytelling Center founded in 1984 after the success of the annual Connecticut Storytelling Festival.

In her opening example, she used her hands to demonstrate how Mr. Wiggle opens the door to his house (pop), steps outside of his house (pop), and climbs up a hill down a hill up a hill down a hill to find his friend Mr. Waggle. All Zoom-weary eyes zeroed in on her use of sound, facial expression, and enthusiasm.

At various points, she asked Santas to try to communicate with different emotions: sadness, surprise, and anger — so vividly demonstrated by vice president Gary Dreifus of Brooklyn.

Read Join Our Santa Costume Conversation: Never Bunch Up Again

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, February 22, 2021—Virtual Santa visits will still be in demand in 2021, according to Mitch Allen, head elf at HireSanta, who was recently featured on Shark Tank.

COVID-19 may have made in-person appearances difficult, but the silver lining included being able to do a different type of storytelling through screens.

“Particularly in high volume malls, you don’t have the same intimacy as you do in virtual visits,” he said. “In virtual visits, you have all the child’s information.”

Another trend is more diversity, he told the New York City Santas during a Feb. 22, 2021 Zoom meeting.

“Some of the highlights this year include a huge increase in hiring diverse Santas,” Mitch said. That means more demand for Mrs. Clauses, Clauses of color, and Santas who know American Sign Language.

Mitch mentioned the company’s guaranteed pay commitment as well as the importance of Santas being on time.

Speaking of timeliness, NYC Santas vice president Gary Dreifus commended HireSanta for paying on time.

“You rarely hear me raving about a group,” Gary said, “but I can’t say enough good things about HireSanta.”

To watch our latest meeting and to see Jenny, the company’s “Santa Wrangler” and face behind the emails, click here.

Connect with HireSanta Santa Claus Entertainers Group on Facebook to view live State of the Season reports every other Thursday at 2 PM Central Time.

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Santas waiting to speak to Debra Schimdt Bach of the New-York Historical Society. Before the talk, a poll asked participants how many of them use “A Visit from St. Nicholas” in their role as Santa. Of the 10 who answered, 60% work with the poem and 40% do not.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, April 22, 2020—Debra Schimdt Bach, curator of decorative arts at the New-York Historical Society, said she wishes all of her Zoom conferences ended with a group ho-ho-ho with 20 Santas.

Entitled “Sit (Virtually) at the Desk of Clement Clarke Moore,” the talk was tailored to educate the New York City Santas, a new chapter of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS). 

During the pandemic, the NYC Santas have organized other virtual meetings open to Clauses throughout the nation. This 30-minute program was the first dedicated to Moore, who is credited for writing “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” better known as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” 

To illustrate, Bach showed archival photographs of the “secretary/chest of drawers” that most likely belonged to Moore and most likely was the very piece of furniture on which he wrote his famous poem. 

“We believe it belonged to Moore and we believe that he wrote the poem,” Bach said.

The poem first appeared anonymously in the Troy Sentinel in 1823. Moore was not publicly attributed as the writer until 1837 when it was included in the New York Book of Poetry. He acknowledged authorship in 1838 and published it under his name in 1844.

So this time lag between when it first appeared and when he took credit has led to debate.

Moore was an Episcopalian minister and professor at the General Theological Seminary in Manhattan. Moore donated some of his inherited estate, called Chelsea, to the seminary. Other pieces of his property eventually formed Chelsea, the West Side neighborhood that still bears its name. Could Moore really have authored this beloved piece of American literature? Or was it someone else? According to Bach, most scholars believe Moore wrote the poem based on the syntax of his other writings.

Legend has it that Moore first recited it at his Chelsea home on Christmas Eve 1822 to entertain his many children. A theory is that a young Harriet Butler from Troy, New York, was also at that reading and recorded it in her personal copy book. Her father and Moore were close friends and fellow ministers. One of Harriet Butler’s brothers was named Reverend Clement Moore Butler, making her a leading candidate as the one who submitted the poem to the Troy Sentinel the following year.

“She was very much enamored with the poem,” Bach said of Harriet Butler, adding that the desk was donated to the New-York Historical Society in 1956 through Butler’s family. She never married. The item was handed down the family line through a cousin.

Bach also showed a handwritten black and white copy of the manuscript signed and dated by Moore in 1937 as a gift to the New-York Historical Society. Also in the society’s collection is an 1837 painting by Robert Walter Weir, entitled St. Nicholas, that depicts a fireplace and an elfin figure with his finger alongside his nose. One of the Santas in the talk noticed a broken clay pipe at the figure’s feet, which Bach attributed to a Dutch tradition of breaking pipes on St. Nicholas Day (December 6).

The painting reveals a “merging of ideas and influence” that developed a “public legacy” of a jolly character rather than the dour religious image from Europe. It also reveals a cultural movement meant to preserve New York’s Dutch heritage. Weir may have been inspired by Moore. Moore was certainly friendly with writer Washington Irving. Irving’s Knickerbockers History of New York first depicted a comedic version of St. Nicholas. In 1835, Irving founded the St. Nicholas Society, a social club for male ancestors of Dutch colonists. 

“Despite the fact that St. Nicholas was a Catholic saint, it appears that early Dutch New Yorkers really stayed true to celebrating St. Nicholas and revering him as a patron of children, as a patron of New Amsterdam,” Bach said. “I’ve also read that he was the patron saint of the greater colony of New York, although I’ve only read that in one place.”

In her research for this talk, Bach discovered that St. Nicholas is also the patron saint of her place of employment, the New-York Historical Society. 

“I think certainly St. Nicholas as we know him was a New York invention,” Bach said during the Q & A. “So, yes, it does appear that the whole idea of celebrating St. Nicholas in a very whole-hearted cultural way may have originated in the United States in early colonial New York.”

-###-

You may go to YouTube for a recording of the talk that took place April 22, 2020.

Related Article: NYC Soars With Its First Chapter of International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 4, 2020, NEW YORK CITY—Once 17 Santas figured out how to mute and unmute themselves on Zoom, they took turns introducing themselves and talking about their favorite quarantine snacks from Amish fare to tacos.

In Santa-speak, this “icebreaker” helped participants learn about Zoom, a digital platform made popular during the COVID-19 outbreak. The activity was also an act of solidarity showing that the corona virus affects all of us, throughout the world and our country.

Sponsored by the New York City Santas, a new chapter of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS), the coffee talk welcomed other members outside of the tri-state area of NYC, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

As George McTyre, the new secretary stated, crowded venues may cancel or modify events. Malls will also change policies. Among Santas themselves, health issues make networking even more valuable in case any of them would ever become ill and need a substitute. Santas everywhere should take note and plan for changes in the upcoming 2020 season, he said.

Howie Bristow (MA), representing the North East region of IBRBS, and Deanna Golden (AZ), international secretary, spoke briefly during the call. The ISC-Atlanta has been rescheduled until Labor Day weekend, they said. Deanna also brought up IBRBS’ eight $250 scholarships and the extended application deadline. Future IBRBS programs will include panel discussions with various experts.

The general consensus is that most Santas will rely on technology to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Gary Dreifus, VP of the NYC Santas, has already turned to virtual magic classes. 

During the call, other Santas showed their backgrounds and discussed proper lighting, a must for the best presentation.

Other problem-solving ideas included six feet of space between guests in lines. As for give-aways, what about little bottles of “Santa-tizer,” made by North Pole elves? Santa David Mills of Staten Island, for example, uses sanitizers in the form of a pen. BRILLIANT!

The next discussion will most likely break down the concept of a “green screen.” Stay tuned and please like NYC Santas on Facebook and Instagram. To join our mailing list, email nycsantas@gmail.com.

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Attached: Santa Health During COVID-19 Slide Show, the spring 2020 issue of the IBRBS newsletter.

Related Article: NYC Soars With Its First Chapter of International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas

Related Article: What’s Your Background, Santa?

Photo by Kevin Hagen of the Wall Street Journal. Taken Dec. 3, 2019 and appearing in the publication on Dec. 10 online and Dec. 11 in print.

Oh, adrenaline has been pumping through my 500-year-old veins these past few weeks. Last Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal’s Anne Kadet profiled Mrs. Claus in a lovely Metro Money piece called: “‘Ring Your Bells, Sisters!’ Mrs. Claus Says.’" The column appeared online Dec. 10, but the same article took up an entire half page on Wednesday. On that morning, friends and acquaintances emailed me photos from their point of views above their morning papers. I could almost see their collective spray of coffee and hear their gasps of surprise.

That night, I met State Senator Robert Jackson in his offices in Inwood.

I got to meet a woman named Carmen Rojas, who was honored for her community activism on asbestos-related issues. The party happened on the same day the article came out, so I was better able to show and explain what Mrs. Claus does. I’m not Santa, but I can reach an audience in a different way.

Carmen Rojas was the evening’s person of honor. She is in the yellow scarf. So much positive energy in this line-up.

Since then, I have connected to the gorgeous Mrs. Claus mentioned in the piece. She calls herself Aurora Claus, and she is from the so-close-yet-so-faraway Lower Hudson Valley. I hope the WSJ story raises the visibility of female Clauses in NYC and around the country. And Aurora and I must must must meet.

This week, I wore my gorgeous new dress for a volunteer function in Upper Manhattan. To my surprise, two women asked if they could get men for Christmas. This is a new one for me. I told them that some things don’t fit under a tree. But had I been more nimble-minded, I would have said: “Oh, darlings. They have so many instructions. Are you ready for all that responsibility?”

Stay tuned for more about my new suit and the woman who made it for me.

Related Article: “How To Gift Your Claus Clothing”

Related Article: “Mrs. Claus Comes Home to NYC”

Here we are: two Mrs. Clauses and two Santas hanging out in a coffee shop before the holidays.

P.T. Barnum once said: “Without promotion, something terrible happens ... nothing!”

Here, here!

Earlier this fall, I spoke to George McTyre and Anthony Piselli, two wonderful Santas from Connecticut who produce the Santa Cast Pod Cast. We chatted about how to attract news coverage, one of many ways to spread Claus joy. You may be saying, “Oh, media coverage is not for me.” That’s fine. But if it’s an event you helped organize, wouldn’t you want your work to shine?

I broke down the parts of a press release in these two episodes:

The first episode is me calling into the podcast on my cell phone.

And the second episode is when I visited them in Milford, Conn. Anthony has high-quality sound equipment at his house. Oh, so much fun to meet up with Claus family members before our big season.

I wrote two press releases for the guys that I can share in another blog.

I have a background in journalism that has helped me in these early stages as an independent Claus (or clause). This is my third season as Mrs. C.

Related Article: Hear The Santa Cast Podcast, With Yours Truly

Related Article: Rejection Season Has Started, So I Eat Cookies

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To enter FAO Schwarz in Rockefeller Center is to walk in Oz. Each salesperson represents a distinct Technicolor realm of toys.

Sleeping now but not for long. Rockefeller Center's FAO Schwarz is hopping! #toys #christmas #november2019 #holidays #shopping #nyc #rockefellerplaza

11 Likes, 1 Comments - Mrs. Claus NYC (@mrsclausnyc) on Instagram: "Sleeping now but not for long. Rockefeller Center's FAO Schwarz is hopping! #toys #christmas..."

On this sunny day in October, Micah Feliciano, head of personal shopping, would help me on a challenging mission: learning as much about FAO’s 2019 shopping season in 15 minutes or less. As the oldest toy store in America, the one made famous in the 1988 movie Big, FAO is full of diversion. When I announced my arrival to an employee dressed as an astronaut, I determined I could easily take up 30 minutes on the first floor alone. 

Thanks for the tour, #faoschwarz! Mrs. C is now in the know, with help from the best toy store on earth! As you can see, the staff have rhythm. #toys #holidayshopping2019 #30rock #bigpiano #rockefeller

9 Likes, 0 Comments - Mrs. Claus NYC (@mrsclausnyc) on Instagram: "Thanks for the tour, #faoschwarz! Mrs. C is now in the know, with help from the best toy store on..."

“For my job interview here, I brought my puppet,” the astronaut told me while I waited for Micah. I asked him to repeat his statement, so I could let it fully absorb, but a Sharper Image 5 Inch Stunt Hand Controlled Lunar Drone flew by my head. Meanwhile, two employees raced by on light-up skates that hooked onto the heels of their shoes.

“Mrs. Claus!” exclaimed Micah when he saw me near the Melissa & Doug grocery store. “I’ve been working for you for years. Now I get to meet you in person.”

First, the tall, elegant Micah walked me back to the store’s entrance where we met two seasoned employees wearing uniforms in my favorite shade of Christmas red: Soldier Patrick standing outside the revolving doors and Soldier Johnny inside. Both had been with FAO when it was on Fifth Avenue, before this glorious new flagship store opened here on 30 Rock in 2018. 

Second, Micah showed me the menagerie of plush animals on the right and Ruby Red dolls on the left. Ruby Red dolls, each about $100, sold only in October and were similar to American Girl dolls with unique personalities and outfits. Their skin was so luminous the little girls looked real.

Third, Micah showed me the wall of Jimmy Fallon games by Hasbro. With the Tonight Show as an upstairs neighbor, FAO pretty much has to include products like the Face It Challenge Party Game and Best Friends Challenge Party Game for Teens & Adults. 

Finally, we entered the delightful FAO selection with its sturdy, high-quality choices of work benches, Vintage Bluetooth Musical Microphones, DJ Mixer Music Floor mats, Ultimate Jewelry Making kits, and Girls’ DIY Henna kits. Food items were big, with a Do It Yourself Gummy Bears Candy Maker for $48 and a Do It Yourself Cake Pop Maker for $32. Hint, this section will most likely be rife with deals on Black Friday.

Now we were in the section for Marvin’s Magic, a company that sells exclusively to Hamleys of Regent Street in central London and FAO Schwarz. We were soon to watch professional magicians demonstrate the Dynamic Coins trick and a card bit from the Mind-Blowing Magic Themed set. Price ranges were reasonable, from $20 to $100 depending on the type of set.

In addition to art easels and race cars (I liked the Remote Control Wrist Racer for $24), we passed big-names like Paw Patrol, UglyDolls, and Hatchimals. My nephews would love the science-based items from #MindBlown that include 4D Anatomy Kit Shark for $32 and the Model Engine Kit for $25.  

Classic Steiff teddy bears and Schleich figurines made me squint to admire the craftsmanship. Toys can be beautiful. 

Yet I was most impressed with the Barbies. 

In addition to the Star Wars collection (an unmasked Darth Vader is really a woman), I loved the David Bowie doll and all of the different shapes and colors of people.

“This is the fashion section,” Micah says pointing to the spectrum of Barbies in casual and evening wear. A few were gender-neutral dolls wearing outfits I might see any New Yorker wear on the street: shorts and patterned T-shirts. However, the biggest shift from decades past was the variety of skin tones. Browns and freckles were welcome. Body types ranged from slim to shapely.

“And this is the career section,” he said. Of course I appreciated the scientist Barbies, but I immediately, I wanted to jump into the hip food truck scenario with Barbie and Ken.

“Literally in every section, there is something new and interactive,” Micah told me in summary of our adventure through the store. “I’m seeing toys that promote the idea of ‘there’s no wrong answer’ and you can have a great time being you.”

Officially over our allotted time—it’s impossible to go through FAO without reverting back to childhood—Micah took me to the giant piano overlooking Rockefeller’s ice rink. I clapped in time while he and a fellow employee danced to “Heart and Soul.”

But before I left, I checked in with Soldier Johnny. Let’s just say, we Clauses know each other, wink wink.

With his wonderful Brooklyn accent, Johnny asked if I were the Mrs. Claus featured last year on Page 3 of the New York Post. I confirmed that yes, I am she—undercover—and still looking for work as a female in Santa-town. A Broadway actor with secret North Pole dealings of his own, Johnny said an elf had pinned that article to a bulletin board in an undisclosed NYC break room, as inspiration.

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Ah Snap!

A smart cookie never reveals his age.

My friend Ginger Snap always causes a stir when I take him into coffee shops. This week, I met him at my favorite Manhattan cafe. Customers sniffed him in line as he stood at their feet texting other ginger folk. He’s fond of emojis and sang along to the playlist of 1990s feminist ballads. Nude except for a casual bow tie and sugar accessories, he grabbed a seat and confided that he hasn’t been himself, even though the giant smile on his face says otherwise. Here, I catch him between 5K runs, something he does several times a day:

Mrs. Claus NYC: Good morning, Ginger Snap. How are you feeling today?

Ginger Snap: Crummy.

Mrs. Claus NYC: I’m so sorry to hear that.

Ginger Snap: I ate too much cookie dough this morning. I over-doughsed.

Mrs. Claus NYC: It can hurt your belly when you eat too many sweets.

Ginger Snap: Tell me about it. I can’t wait to lie down on my cookie sheet and take a nap.

Mrs. Claus NYC: You know, Ginger Snap, I don’t know much about you. How old are you?

Ginger Snap: I’m a food item. It’s not sanitary to discuss age. Do you want the New York Department of Food Safety to find me and lock me up?

Mrs. Claus NYC: Certainly not. Is that your biggest fear?

Ginger Snap: No. My biggest fear is … Shh. Come closer.

Mrs. Claus NYC: I’m listening.

Ginger Snap: Being eaten by the big guy.

Mrs. Claus NYC: You mean Santa?

Ginger Snap: Shh! He might hear you.

Mrs. Claus NYC: He’s in his toy shop. We’re here. How could he hear you?

Ginger Snap: Does Santa ever not hear cookies?

Mrs. Claus NYC: Good point.

Ginger Snap: That’s how I roll. Hey, I’ll let you take three guesses at the decade in which I was first baked.

Mrs. Claus NYC: Okay. I’m very good at this, you know. What’s your favorite band?

Ginger Snap: Oreo Speedwagon.

Mrs. Claus NYC: Aha, you’re from the late 1970s and mid 1980s, somewhere in the “I Can’t Stop This Feeling” era?

Ginger Snap: Try again.

Mrs. Claus NYC: I bet you’re gluten free like someone from the last 10 years.

Ginger Snap: Ha! I’m a total flour child.

Mrs. Claus NYC: Oh, so you’re from the 1960s.

Ginger Snap: Ah, snap.

Mrs. Claus NYC: I’m right, aren’t I?

Ginger Snap: Nope. Wrong again. That was your third try. Gotta run.

Related Article: “A Santa Family Reunion: Meet Ginger Spice”

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Jacki Chamberlain is on the right wearing her cherished green coat from Cheryl Claus, left, who died April 2018.

There’s an urban legend among Clauses. 

A beloved Santa died. His family had no idea how much his clothing was worth. So his $3,000 suit ended up in a thrift shop for $15.

If you’re a Santa, this tale is already horrifying. Your hand has probably landed on your mouth in shock. But it gets worse. A mother bought the gorgeous suit and cut the pant legs for her son’s Halloween costume.

I know!

Jacki Chamberlain, an Ohio Mrs. Claus, is here to help lovely things find good homes with wonderful people. She knows Kringle collections grow like forests and that gifts should go on giving, forever and ever. 

Last week, she and I talked on FaceTime. I showed her my Ikea shelving unit that currently holds summer clothes but will soon store thermal blouses and hand warmers, real sleigh bells, a cute little purse, wash cloths to remove stage makeup, sparkly earrings and accessories, and wrist- and elbow-length gloves in red and blue. Inside my closet, I hang a red tutu, a dark scarlet velvet jacket with ruffles, and a vintage 1930s red-orange dress with a rouched neckline. On a shelf inside a Tupperware bin, I stash a black and white skirt, three wigs (two from my grandmother), a bonnet, warm tights, and white faux fur. My hallway closet contains a jacket and a full red dress I covered with a sheet, so that the crimson doesn’t bleed onto the fur.

I live in NYC. Space is precious. So are my carefully curated costumes that say more about me than anything else I own.

Jacki walked me through her own Claus-et, more like an entire room with designated drawers for jewelry and racks devoted to a certain primary hue. I loved the backdrop she hung on the wall, an enlarged photo of her own kitchen that makes video calls with children more authentic. She even has a “staging area” to make sure she has all of her pieces in order before she walks out the door to an event. 

“People may not realize what the investment is,” she told me, “and it is an investment.”

In 2018 when a fellow Mrs. Claus passed away, Jacki was gifted several items from her sister-in-red's beautiful wardrobe. Attendees of Santa Nana Academy in Columbus, Ohio, also received items from this selection. “I know Cheryl’s with me when I wear something of hers, whether it’s a hat or a little pair of gloves,” Jacki says. 

In Gatlinburg, Tenn., at the 2019 Santa Family Reunion, she sold more of the items in a vending area. 

I bought several things from this angel Mrs. Claus, including a glorious pillbox hat with a veil and perky poinsettia and pom pom perched on top. As storytellers, we should wear pieces with history, even if we never reveal it or fully know ourselves. Here is the hat I bought, although I think Cheryl Claus wore it better.

Cheryl Claus with the dapper Santa Carlucci, her business partner. I bought this hat at a sale in Gatlinburg, Tenn. I am so happy to own it, especially because it is infused with such spirit.

Today, Jacki teaches members of the Buckeye Santas, a regional organization, how to record their prized possessions, so loved ones can pass them on to people who will love them.

With Jacki’s permission, I share from her one-page “Letter of Instruction” that is “a document that will asset your family in carrying out your wishes and distribution of property at your death. Not legally binding, but may prevent confusion and arguments.”

She suggests Santas create a spreadsheet that states something simple like: “I bequeath the following items of personal property to the beneficiaries below.”

Here are samples from Jacki’s template:

• ITEM-make sure to clearly describe the item(s) so it won’t be confused with a similar item.

• NAME-full name of recipient, not just Santa John, but John R. Jones

• CONTACT INFORMATION-include address, telephone number, email address, relationship to you.

• NOTES-

Here are examples of how to use the template:

• ITEM-Santa Walking Stick with Holly and Ivy

• NAME-Santa John R. Jones (Fellow Buckeye Member)

• CONTACT-555 Rideway Dr., Columbus, OH XXXXX, 555-555-5555, santajohnjones@yahoo.com

• NOTES-Item kept in the corner of my closet

To finish, sign and date the document. Because it isn’t legally binding, you don’t need witnesses or notarized signatures. (For that, you would need to consult a lawyer.)

Helpful instructions should include contact information for Santa organizations. Jacki also suggests writing your own obituary that includes your honors and Santa titles, like “founding member” or “past president.” Include a picture that best represents you as Santa, so loved ones know how you want to be remembered.

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The duet behind The Santa Cast: George McTyre and Anthony Piselli.

I am so grateful to be on The Santa Cast with Santas George McTyre and Anthony Piselli. We discussed how Mrs. Claus can lead the parade or judge an ugly sweater contest. As George says, Mrs. C probably knits the ugliest sweaters. And that’s easy, since she herself oversees wool production from North Pole sheep. George, I am truly your sister from another mister. Next time you want to drive half-way across the country in a van, let me know. And Anthony, we will meet someday soon. Listen here for the latest!