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.

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.

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.”

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Santa, Mrs. Claus, and our elf pose in front of the oldest remaining Dutch farmhouse in Manhattan. Photo by S. Braun

Santa — or rather my friend who portrays him — instantly “married” me as he came into view. 

I happened to be waiting for him by the trailers of Holy Trinity Church Inwood, the church’s temporary headquarters during renovations. I could just see the white beard and the top of his cap bobbing along near Academy Street here in Upper Manhattan. 

My friend’s son, dressed as an elf, bobbed along beside him. So not only was I matched with a text-to-order spouse, I now had a 9-year-old son who was trying to keep up with his much taller dad. 

I had always wanted a child! How lovely not to go through the birthing process or have to worry about this sweet boy’s dental care or college fund.

With six feet between us, Santa and I waved, solidifying our social bubble in the changeable land of COVID-19. 

My friend had donned a red suit with white trim. And I wore an Edwardian-inspired walking suit with a green waistcoat and a long red skirt striped down the front with sequin panels of red, green, and gold.

“Merry Christmas!” my new son and hubby called to me. 

“Merry Christmas!” I shouted back.

All three of us wore masks. 

My cell phone marked the time as 4:45 PM. Now a ready-made family of three, we were running late. I hate being late. Then I reminded myself of our very loose plans. We were to walk up Broadway to wish business owners a Merry Christmas. This would be a goofy surprise, not a sanctioned event.

During the pandemic, there was no hurry because there was nowhere to go. Here in New York City, indoor dining was suspended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The vibrant neighborhood had put on an ill-fitting coat of stillness.

Four Decembers ago, I had gotten the idea to become Mrs. Claus for a RING Garden tree lighting. The organizers were good-natured enough to say “yes,” even though they had no idea what to do with Santa’s wife as a party guest. I had no idea myself. 

As a 40-something-year-old former dancer, I thought it would be fun to have a seasonal performing gig. Male actor friends put on the red suit each year, and I wanted to “fly” like them, even if going airborne was only pretend. Becoming a Claus would give me performing opportunities I could grow into as I aged. With my type-A personality, I took my interest to the next level. 

I graduated from Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in 2018. I became the founding president of the New York City Santas in February 2020, when “coronavirus” was just crazy talk instead of a real threat that would affect the entire human race.

Santa, our son, and I passed the outdoor porches of the Dyckman Street restaurants. “Merry Christmas!” Cameras came out of bags. A few customers got up from their tables to snap selfies (elfies).

Photo by S. Braun

We approached Starbucks on Broadway and Dyckman and discussed our route. We would travel north on both the east and west side of Broadway and knock on windows. This was going to be a-m-a-z-i-n-g!

Tonight, the day after the conjunction, when Jupiter and Saturn were so close to each other they could have been planetary lovers, weather was mild. I wore only one skirt this evening, instead of doubling up with the heavy green satin petticoat I liked during freezing events. The ground and bits of sidewalk were still dotted with sharp shards of brown and black snow left from an earlier storm. 

Santa and I knocked on the windows of Starbucks. The employees inside waved vigorously.  Bob in the Broadyke Meat Market was there, friendly as always.

And up we went, like trick-or-treaters.

Our journey included visits to dollar stores, barbershops, and a tattoo parlor. 

Photo by S. Braun

The Christmas tree guys, Samuel and Hasaan, were gone from their spot by Rite Aid on the east side. It was three days before Christmas, and they were sold out of trees. 

The fellas at the outdoor fry-up on 207th yelled, “Hey!” They all knew Santa.

So did the man who runs the Halal truck across the street on the west side.

Photo by S. Braun

At Queens Nail Salon, my favorite manicurists came out to snap our photos and pose in front of the store.

Photo by S. Braun

Photo by S. Braun

We Clauses were having so much fun. Imagine knocking on a shop window dressed like a yuletide explosion during a global pandemic. It’s such a rush.

Here’s what I noticed: 

• First, taco places are big now in Inwood. It’s a trend. 

• Second, restaurant owners are trying their darndest to adapt to constantly changing rules. Tubby Hook, for instance, has a plastic-covered front enclosure with a see-through roof to provide more warmth in the day. 

• Third, many businesses are dark with “for rent” signs in front. I can’t even remember what was in some of these places, but I feel an ambiguous loss for what is no longer there

Photo by S. Braun

Finally, I noted how little it takes to make people happy. All we did was knock and wave. And our neighbors gobbled up joy.

Speaking of which, please enjoy this wonderful slide show of our adventure. All photos by S. Braun.

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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.

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

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Dancing keeps us youthful! #westchesterwinterwonderland #mrsclausnyc #santa

18 Likes, 1 Comments - Mrs. Claus NYC (@mrsclausnyc) on Instagram: "Dancing keeps us youthful! #westchesterwinterwonderland #mrsclausnyc #santa"

In Vaudeville days of the late 1800s and the 1930s, music and steps were in a constant state of evolution as acts traveled the country. Amid all the change and transience, actors used time steps to communicate tempos to band leaders they had only just met.

In my third year as a single Mrs. Claus without a regular Santa, I have tried to get everything “right,” by attending Santa Claus school and paying for webinars produced by seasoned Kringles. With my dancer’s desire to be perfect and obedient, I took vigorous notes about how I should have a “backstory” about how I met my Santa (of the moment). We should call each other on the phone and talk about our favorite vacation spots or our courtship.

Over the weekend, I met “my Santa” for the evening in a freezing trailer behind a circus tent in an upstate New York winter wonderland. We shared this trailer with a clown, three dogs, various novelty acts, and the event’s manager. I had no idea what was expected to me—I had taken the job via text—so soon after my arrival by train, I wandered into the Santa Experience tent and learned I would be working near the photo Santa. This isn’t a criticism of the venue but a reality of being a performer. We use a lot of brains to navigate new situations.

With barely a chance to exchange basic pleasantries, my temporary hubby and I dug in. He sat in the big chair. I assumed the role of line manager, chatting with nervous kids and taking photos of families with Santa. Not a single child asked how I met Santa or how many elves we had together. And no one seemed to care for such a short meeting with St. Nick.

During a rare moment alone with no guests, Santa stood up and did a soft shoe essence, one type of time steps from the Vaudeville era. (Tap purists may argue that soft shoe dances were performed with leather soles instead of metal taps and therefore not capable of being time steps. Yet this syncopated combination is commonly considered a time step.) I joined getting a sense of how my partner moved and breathed. Soon the elves in the tent were laughing, and parents began taking videos of us as they headed into the tent. “Do it again,” they said, with iPhones cued to “video.”

Within minutes, we were married in the only way it counted for the evening: through fun and companionship.

So the point of this post is: How important is “backstory” when presence and a few shared tricks might mean more? In badly written novels, the exposition is the boring part while a story and scene make the characters hum. I can’t remember all that biographer anyway each time I work with a different Santa; it bogs me down and makes me nervous.

In Santa school, a few Clauses taught me the Reindeer Macarena, another fun number that Claus teams can do together.

As we branch out as independent performers, we need more easy bits to develop a common North Pole language.

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My first batch of gingerbread from a Dyckman Farmhouse recipe dating back to the 1600s. My recommendation? Chill the dough after folding in the warm molasses and cream. #stars #cookies #gingerbread #cookies

17 Likes, 1 Comments - Mrs. Claus NYC (@mrsclausnyc) on Instagram: "My first batch of gingerbread from a Dyckman Farmhouse recipe dating back to the 1600s. My..."

Earlier this year, culinary historian Lavada Nahon presented her gorgeous gingerbread recipe to the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum, the last existing farmhouse in Manhattan! And I was there undercover to taste and enjoy.

Recently, I tried my hand at this recipe originally seen in The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy, a book by Mrs. H. Glasse, published 1745 and 1796.

The first time I made them, they oozed out across the cookie sheets.

This second time, I discovered I need to chill the dough for more than an hour. Seems that pouring warm molasses and heavy cream into the butter and flour mixture melts the butter, a no no.

I have no idea what people in the 1700s did during this phase. Perhaps they just let the mixture sit for a moment in their freezing cold homes.

For more information, go to lavadanahon.com.

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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.

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All the news about impeachment makes my mouth water for peaches. And that juicy fruit triggers my desire for a shortbread that snaps. There’s nothing more heavenly than crunchy cookies—unless you’re British and prefer “biscuits,” the UK translation to Santa’s favorite snack.

When I’m not baking myself, I love a spot of tea while I take a big binge-y bite of “The Great British Baking Show: Holidays: Season 2.” This awww-dorable show with all my favorite former contestants couldn’t come at a better time for humanity. 

But first, a salute to Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig. The duo returns to the tent with their culinary comedy. If you don’t know who they are, imagine Shakespearean clowns on a modern reality show, one in which participants are actually nice to each other. These two create and ease tension between contestants and judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood.

“It’s crunch time,” Noel puns in Episode 1. Meanwhile, bakers struggle to finish the signature challenge: iced shortbread representing the 12 days of Christmas

“Only seconds lie between between a soft, under-baked biscuit,” Sandi says in narration. The camera cuts to Andrew, from Season 7, worrying about chewiness. “And a burnt overbaked one,” Sandi continues. “It’s a battle of the bakers’ nerves.”

During one of their delicious “bits,” Sandi sits in front of a plate of snowflake biscuits alongside Noel in a rainbow sweater, or “jumper,” if you’re from across the pond. She’s dressed in a long-sleeved royal blue shirt with sparkles on the shoulders. Enveloped in such vibrant Crayola colors, they make the audience do a double-take on one tiny odd detail. Much shorter and stouter than the goth-like Noel, Sandi has gingerbread stars over her eyes. 

“I love this show,” she tells Noel, who wears a rainbow turtleneck “jumper” with diagonal stripes.

“You’ve just got stars in your eyes,” he quips.

Here’s a recap of Episode 1 with all four bakers. During the holiday edition, no one is sent home. Instead, winner and losers alike, will walk out of the tent to meet their proud families together.

The tent is dessert for the eyes with bright-colored cooking essentials and lots of Christmas trees along the sides.

“I love Christmas trees,” Jane whispers.

But there’s still stress, heightened by sparkly orchestral music.

“I love Jane,” the red-haired Andrews says of his rival from Season 7, “but I’d lie if I said we weren’t a little bit competitive.” 

“I am talking behind your back, Andrew, because I am literally behind your back,” Jane tells him. Her baking station is indeed behind his.

Flo and Liam, both from season 8, are like old friends to the show’s fans. Flo is a hilarious white-haired grandmother with a double-decked smile, the kind Al Hirschfeld would have drawn in caricature. As she goes about making her “Spiced Treacle & Ginger Biscuits,” she laughs constantly. A typical Flo-at-work statement is: “Uh, I made a terrible mess of me-self.” I just love her. 

Finally, Liam, who was only 19 in season 8, is back and more confident than he was when he was a mere lad. For the signature challenge, Liam makes “The 12 Essentials of Liam.” Among his favorite things are falafal, which in biscuit form, looks more like a backside. Noel and Sandi tease him constantly about it. As Liam mixes color into his frosting, Noel says it looks like he just melted down the Pink Panther’s legs.

“That’s deep,” Liam says in his grey sweater with patterned stripes across the front.

“You’re very huggable, you know,” Noel tells him at one point, when Liam’s apron is flecked with flour. “There’s something about this jumper.”

I won’t say who wins the three-part competition, but Jane’s “12 Days of Decorating Christmas Biscuits” was divine.

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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.

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