Will the real Santa please stand up?

Rona Trachtenberg

The weather is turning predictably cold. The leaves have fallen off the trees. You are almost done eating that leftover Halloween candy, and your Thanksgiving turkey is roasting in the oven. The music in all the stores, elevators, and radio stations are playing non-stop Christmas carols. Therefore, it is time for the jolliest elder male in your family to dust off his Santa suit and see if it still fits.

The weather is turning predictably cold. The leaves have fallen off the trees. You are almost done eating that leftover Halloween candy, and your Thanksgiving turkey is roasting in the oven. The music in all the stores, elevators, and radio stations are playing nonstop Christmas carols. Therefore, it is time for the jolliest elder male in your family to dust off his Santa suit and see if it still fits.

A quick online search of “How to become a Santa” brings up a plethora of resources such as a 3.5 minute instructional YouTube video narrated by a British woman that is reminiscent of a Monty Python skit; a six-page Complete Guide to Becoming a Professional Santa, sponsored by Indeed.com; and a fourpage Ultimate Guide to Working as a Professional Santa Claus, published by the Penny Hoarder. Both guides offer free advice and advocate attending a Santa School – which is exactly what one of our local white bearded, senior men did this fall.

“So, you think it is that easy being a Santa?” queried Joseph F. Dawicki III, who had been letting his white beard grow long since Covid-19 started in March 2020.

“Being Santa is more than just having a red suit, a jovial smile, and a deep laugh,” began the Mattapoisett resident, who has been perfecting the role since 2014. The Santa bug bit in 1980, when Dawicki purchased his first home. “I decorated for Christmas and started collecting Santa figurines. I always put effort into making Christmas magical for my children, as well as making sure they knew the true meaning of Christmas.”

“In the beginning,” explained Dawicki, “I learned as much as I could online, but I felt that I needed additional in-person training. I discovered the New England Santa Society, which hosts a Santa Camp at the Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center in New Hampshire. I attended last year and it made me a better Santa, so I decided to return this August 26-28 to gain more experience. I was joined by 60 other Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and helpers. The camaraderie was great – everyone wore a name badge that included where they were from.

There were campfires every night and a lot of storytelling. I plan on registering next year when we will be learning how Santa can better interact with children with disabilities.”

Up on the rooftop

Dawicki’s Santa always keeps two books with him: a special logbook, to record any pertinent information he hears, and a Naughty & Nice Book, to look up details from previous years for repeat customers.”

“On occasion, a child will share something sad with Santa,” explained Dawicki. “If they had lost a loved one, they sometimes ask if Santa can bring them back. This request requires empathy and delicate handling. When a child asks Santa for a gift that is clearly too expensive for their parents, he answers, “Santa can’t give every child an expensive gift, ask your parents for that.” Then, Dawicki tries to encourage parents to keep the gifts from Santa simple, because “many children at school do not receive expensive gifts.”

When children ask Santa for pets, he cleverly answers, “Santa does not bring pets because they could freeze in the sleigh. A pet is a very important part of the family and should be chosen by the entire family, because everyone will have to assist in caring for the pet.”

Another interesting dilemma is when children tell Santa that their home doesn’t have a chimney. Dawicki has a creative answer: “Santa carries three keys; 1) The magical key can open any door, but it only works on Christmas Eve; 2) The key to the toy shop; and 3) The key to Mrs. Claus’s cookie cabinet. Santa can not eat every cookie left out for him in one night, so he brings the extra cookies home and every night Mr. and Mrs. Claus invite the Elfs for cookies and milk. One time when Santa forgot to lock the cabinet, the Elfs ate all the cookies and got belly aches, so now Santa keeps the key with him at all times.”

It is this kind of imaginative repartee, genuine emotion, and positive attitude that helps Santa connect with the children and that allows the children to believe that they are talking to the real Santa.

Equipped with the tools and the talent, Dawicki starts practicing his Santa persona in early November. For example, “Ho-ho-ho’s should be gentle, so no small children are frightened. Older children will sometimes ho-ho-ho with you with a louder tone.”

This past year, for health reasons, Dawicki lost 30 pounds. Instead of using a fake belly, he has a better plan: “I will promote good health to the children.”

When asked if any local children recognize him behind his Santa outfit, Dawicki responded with a cute story, “Last year after my visit to my threeyear-old great niece, she asked her parents if it was Uncle Joe. On Christmas day when she arrived for dinner, my beard had been shaved off and my nephew thanked me because it put that question to rest.”

Dawicki’s first Santa gig takes place right after Thanksgiving, with the New Bedford Marine Corp League’s Toys for Tots annual drive.“Home visits are always fun because it brings a special magic to the children,” said Dawicki, with a twinkle in his eye. “Last year, when a group canceled due to inclement weather, I became available and the Mattapoisett Museum immediately contacted me to be their Santa for their evening event.”

For two months, at the end of each year, Dawicki looks forward to putting his heart and soul into being Santa. He does this as a volunteer, but he gladly accepts tips, which he uses to assist needy families during Christmastime. His personal spiritual compensation is “seeing the smiles and happiness on the faces of the children and the adults.”