SANTA SCOOP
Santa Jim Jordan
Traverse City Downtown, Toys for Tots, The Boathouse Brunch and The Festival of Trees to name a few. How did becoming Santa start? About 10 years ago my wife (who loves Santa) bought me a Santa Suit, and it just locally evolved through word of mouth. Last year I did 43 appearances between Thanksgiving and Christmas. You studied at Santa School what’s the most surprising thing about the experience? How seriously it’s taken. There were people from 18 states and 3 different countries. They teach you the history, and that the Red is for the Holiday Spirit. The White is the purity of St. Nicholas, and of course they teach how to answer all the children’s questions. What is the strangest thing a child has ever asked for? One year a little girl asked for a Goat Barn, but I saw her dad nodding his head yes behind her. Another little girl asked for a rubber snake, and I told her she would get into trouble with that. I saw her the next year and she said “This year I want a doll, I did get into trouble.” Lifting all those kiddo’s has got to be tough on the old knees? Last year I added up at an average weight of 30lbs each, to how many I lifted came to about 8 ½ tons! But for ladies night one year at Red Ginger, these were the Happiest Thighs in the world! How do you deal with the real life wishes? It is hard when I have children with parents divorcing, or their dads in Afghanistan, but I have a little prayer book I write in, and also keep little glass angels to give them. How does being Santa affect your family? My wife loves it, she jokes she married Santa and actually comes with me on most of my events. My 26 year old son uses it to meet girls, “my dad’s Santa!” And for my grandchildren they never see me at an event. What’s unique about Santa Jim? I’ll put glitter in my beard, and tell the kids its magic dust I sprinkle on the reindeer to fly. I have a wooden box with colored crystals that light up. I also have a stamp for their hands, Naughty list or Nice list! For private parties, I like people to email ahead and tell me some real facts so I can surprise the kids What’s the best thing about being Santa? Well it’s the best gig in the world, seeing their faces light up. I love when the kids that are afraid to sit on my lap, then next year make that big leap. Tell us something about Jim Jordan? On Christmas Day, I am exhausted! I shave my beard off, and don’t start to grow it out until July of the next year.
Bring a non perishable food donation for a Portrait with Santa. Sun Nov 29th, 1-3 at Dre Photography Studio 115 Ames St, Suite G, Elk Rapids.
18
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 | BAY LIFE NORTH
PHOTO BY DRE PHOTOGRAPHY