What It Takes To Be a Mall Santa
Thousands of malls around the United States are packed with professional Santas — jolly, reliable Santa Claus stand-ins who entertain children and families between now and December 25. (Although in one case at Macy’s in San Francisco, a longtime Santa was relieved of duty last week after sharing an off-color joke with a couple grown-ups.) So what does it take to succeed in the business? Here’s a little Santa 101 for interested applicants:
Job Market and Statistics
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Like any other job you might apply for, the availability of positions depends on the demand for mall santas. SFGate reports that there are around 1,104 enclosed malls in America, and most of them hire around 2 santas to make sure they have one on staff all day. Based on these statistics, job hunters are looking at just around 2,208 openings nationwide, making it a rather competitive marketplace.
Malls pay big money for the North-Pole-themed set-up around Santa’s chair, sometimes upwards of $20,000 for the most extravagant ones. However, the more elaborate the decor, the better the chance that parents will pay for a photo of their child with Santa, which is where the malls make their money from this holiday tradition. SFGate reports that the larger malls can generate up to $400,000 in revenue from photographs in a single season.
Job Requirements
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The most important requirement for the job of a mall Santa is friendliness, but beyond that basic quality, there are several traits a good Santa should possess. Typically, there are no educational requirements for mall Santas, however being able to speak a second language (such as Spanish or Sign) can come in handy in areas with diverse populations. Because they will be working directly with children, almost all mall Santas must pass a background check to make sure they don’t have a criminal record.
The Post Gazette reports that a Santa can expect to see an average of 10,119 children per season, making the job both physically and mentally demanding. Though you might see sitting in a chair all day and talking to kids as an easy way to make money, you must be extremely good at keeping a cheerful, excited personality all day long. Remember – for you, the next kid in line is just one out of hundreds you will need to see that day, but to him or her, you’re the real Santa and this is their big moment to meet you. Make sure you can keep a smile, fake a good belly laugh, and give every child the attention they deserve.
How To Apply
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Applying for a mall Santa job is a somewhat different process than other positions because it requires you to sell yourself as a character. To get the part, you must be able to look the part, which means that the more authentic you appear the better. Of course, a skinny, clean shaven man can throw on a fat suit and a fake beard and get by just fine, but if you have a natural pot belly and big white beard, you’re one step ahead of the competition.
Instructional blog Mahalo recommends investing some time dressing up like Santa, including red rosy cheeks and a costume. Next, have a friend take some head shots as you give your jolliest Santa smile, and attach the best one to your resume. Visit every mall and shopping center in town and hand deliver the resumes and photographs – avoid mail or email. Managers want to know that the Santa they hire is friendly and approachable, and nothing conveys your personality like a face-to-face meeting.
What Is The Pay Scale?
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A common misconception about mall Santas is the job doesn’t pay very well. Quite the contrary, an experienced mall Santa can rake in a killing every holiday season. Career blog PayScale.com reports that first-time Santas can earn up to $100.00/hr, while veterans can command an hourly wage of $200. Not too shabby for a few weeks of acting for children.
The Downsides Of The Job
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Despite the high pay, seeing hundreds of children every day exposes you to many problems that are bound to come your merry way. Many younger kids are terrified of sitting in Santa’s lap and will kick you, scream at you, and cry their eyes out throughout the entire photo shoot. Some might even wet their pants on your lap out of nervousness. Some slightly older children might have their doubts about you and challenge whether or not you’re really Santa – pulling on your beard and asking you a myriad of snide questions.
Of course, as annoying as all of that can be, the entire job is made almost unbearable if you do not like children. Veteren mall Santa Richard Barr told the University of Pittsburgh newspaper “If you’re gonna do this job, you have to [love kids]. If you’re gonna do it for the money, you might as well go home.”
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I had a little incident once with a mall Santa and had to complain to the mall management. The guy was really cranky and complaining and scared my kids.
I am a former mall Santa. I worked in a small mall in a city of about 35,000. It was a great job, but exhausting. I can clearly remember the best and the saddest encounters during my two seasons of work.
The best was a visit by two developmentally disabled, Down Syndrome adults. No one who visited Santa was more excited than these two. They were a joy to talk with. Their total joy in seeing Santa made my whole Christmas season.
On the other end of the spectrum was the little girl who, when asked what she wanted for Christmas, asked Santa to make her Mommy better because she was very sick. I was dumbfounded. All I could tell her was that Santa couldn’t do that and that she needed to pray for her Mom. The adult accompanying her informed me that the little girls’ mother had terminal cancer that it was doubtful she would make it to Christmas. It was was so unbelievably heart wrenching. I had to take a moment and appreciate that everyone in my family was healthy and we would all have a very blessed holiday, unlike this young lady.
Oh, and don’t forget the little girl who wanted Santa to her mother out of prison. Sheesh!
I have been a mall Santa for 10 years 9 years prior as Santa for churches, YMCA, personal apperances etc. This is my upcoming 20th year as Santa.
Being Santa is a year round job because you must be able to switch at anytime from you to Santa as the moment requires.
Yes I have had my beard pulled, hair pulled,
vomited on, kicked, punched, screamed at for not getting all they asked for last year, peed on and pooped on (sure glad the diapers held)
All this time staying in character even though it has been 6 weeks 10 hrs a day 7 days. I am so tired that I do not know what day it is and the line of kids is LONG.
I love the smiles from the children and laughter that makes playing Santa worth while.
The parents that are in line with their children can get quite mad when they are told Santa will be taking a break or going to lunch before their child sees him, they act like Santa should wait and see their child no matter what.
Yes I could tell some interesting stories about being a mall Santa.
I will tell them later right now it is late and I am going to bed.
Santa
Being a mall Santa Claus is real work. Mall Santas can also make good money outside of the mall, doing community and company events and home visits.
But you must Love children to do it.