Stories of a Mall Santa PT 1

Submitted by: Santa Ames

I am asked often about the weirdest things kids have asked for. I will try to answer some of that.

I am reminded of a young gal about 5 or 6 coming to see me. I always keep a large bag next to my chair to put the kids letters to Santa in. You always knew when the kids where coming with a letter. They held them tightly in their hands just waiting to give them to Santa. This gal was different. She came up and immediately dropped a sealed envelope into my bag. I would always try and read the letters with the kids, especially the older kids who had written it by themselves. Allot of time parents had no idea of what was in the letter. So I tried to find out what she had written me. She only said that she wanted me to read it when I got back the North Pole. After much cajoling, I got her to start talking to me. She said she wanted a magic wand for Christmas. One like Harry Potter I asked. Oh yes, that is what she wanted. Hmmm, that was going to be hard, because a Harry Potter wand required training and Santa couldn’t provide that. I told her I couldn’t remember if we had any fake wands but if we did would that be ok and she was fine with that. Not so funny yet you say. Well a couple of days later I was going through my mail bag and came across a sealed envelope. It said do not open till the North Pole. I knew exactly who this was from. The letter inside was neat and said:

Dear Santa,
For Christmas I want a magic wand so I can turn my mommy into a pig….

After picking myself up off the floor, I read the rest of the letter and it was totally normal. She had been good this year and would like a Barbie, books and a few other things. Why she wanted to turn mom into a pig I will never know. But I get a smile every time I think of her.

Fast forward a couple of years... I had 2 brothers visit me and the older brother wanted a magic wand for Christmas. After I chuckled to myself and remembered the other gal, I asked him whatever did he want a magic wand for. He said that when his brother sleeps, he makes “crazy” noises. He wanted to make is brother smaller so that he would be quieter and then he could get some sleep himself.

Every year there are the hot toys that I get asked for. Video games and consoles are always at the top of the lists, including the kids that want several different ones. Girls usually want a Barbie or other dolls, boys want cars, trucks or legos. There was the young boy who wanted a riding lawnmower so he could cut the grass with dad, the one that wanted a metal detector and the boy who didn’t want to see me and then told me a fake name. Sometimes the kids ask for the toys that we grew up with like Lincoln Logs and then the ones that just keep coming back every few years like Cabbage Patch Kids, Rainbow Brite Dolls and even Erector Sets. Some times it is nice to bring the parents into the whole experience. Like when the little girls ask for Easy Bake Ovens and I tell them I remember when their mom was just about their age and I brought them one. Then I look at mom and ask her if she still has it. Luckily mom always pays along. This works for many toys.

Many times I get asked for things that just don’t make any sense. Like the boy who wanted an elevator and a furnace vent. Or the four year old who all he wanted for Christmas was office supplies. Then there was little boy who wanted a windshield. Turns out that the windshield on his 4-wheeler was broken. Or what about the little girl who wanted the complete collection of the Backstreet Boys and how many little boys do you know that want a collection of real bow ties with instructions on how to tie them or the one that wanted handcuffs or a door knob.

Sometimes it is not so much the request but who it comes from. There was the four year old who wanted a telescope and binoculars. He had gotten a telescope the year before and it broke, he just wanted a replacement. There was the boy who wanted to have a hot tub in his room so only he could use it. There was the boy who wanted a kitchen set for Christmas Then there are the kids that want accordions or trampolines.

Santa gets gifts brought to him all the time Cookies and candy are the things Santa sees the most. Now throw in the occasional juice box and a jelly sandwich, he has a complete meal. In the Far East, Christmas is Santa’s birthday, so nearly all the kids will bring him a small present.

Anyone that sits down with me or any other Santa will certainly leave with an ear full of stories. With the coming chapters, I will talk about some of the funny things parents have done and then the stories that will bring a tear to your eye. Just remember to try to relax during this joyous season and have fun!

Remember to keep the Spirit of Christmas alive in your heart all year long.



About the author:

David Greulich has portrayed Santa in malls and on the road for over 6 years. Santa Ames, as he calls himself, sports a real beard all year round. He comes from a family of Santas, not only is his Uncle a Santa, but his father was a Santa for more than 30 years. During the off season, he works at Iowa State University in a drug testing lab. Of course, kids always ask what him what he's doing in Iowa, to which he replies "I'm working with engineers at Iowa State in a super secret lab to develop new toys." You can catch Santa Ames this year in Redmond, WA.


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