You Supply the Elves

Having elves to help with your event will ensure things go smother and Santa is freed to focus all of his attention on the children rather than the nuts and bolts of making the event happen. I have elves that I use for my own church and home town, but Santa does not travel with elves. If you want Santa at your event, try to recruit some eves. But here are the conditions: elves must use the costumes I provide so that I know they will be appropriate. The elves will need to read and complete the questionnaire (download at the bottom of this page). I will need to meet with the elves about 15-30 minutes before the event to lend them their elf costumes and to go over the elf duties for the event. The event venue will need to provide a place to change for both Santa and elves. This should be a secure location where phones, wallets and purses can be safely stored.

Elf Dress Costumes

You supply the elves. Central Valley Santa supplies elf costumes and an elf hat. These elf dress costumes are girl sized, not woman sized (for small girls from 5' 2" - 5' 11" tall). Thus, teen girls usually are the best choice for elves. If desired, she will need to supply her own red, green, white or black leggings to wear under the elf dress. The dresses cover well enough for modesty sake, but when the venue is outdoors and cold, you will be glad you are wearing leggings. In addition, wear comfortable shoes, as you will be on your feet. Tennis shoes are ok.

Elf Duties

When things don't work as expected, elves will need to be ready to improvise. Here's what we plan: While on duty, make the kids your focus. This means, don't answer cell phones, don’t go for coffee, and keep personal breaks to a minimum. Always address Santa as "Santa or Mr. Claus" and Santa's wife (if she is present) as "Mrs. Claus." Elves duties involve public relations, adding to the feeling of celebration, line control and helping Santa. Some specific duties:

Be on Time - Come early enough to suit up (30 minutes early) or come dressed in costume 15 minutes early for a brief orientation (coming dressed is an option for those who live in or near Kingsburg). Help to minimize the stress that leaders feel when organizing and carrying out ministry by being a little early.

Santa’s Handler - When Mrs. Claus is not available, an extroverted elf will be assigned the responsibility of “Santa’s Handler.” Duties involve making sure Santa’s beard and hair are straight, moustache properly attached, belt positioned correctly, posture and shoulders up as well as all other issues involving Santa’s appearance.

Keeping the List - Unless a child demands to see his name of the list, the elf only needs to go through the motions of checking the list (you know, the Nice List). This is for the sake of time. There is no "naughty" list per se, but if your name is crossed off the nice list, that is the defacto naughty list. Of course, all younger children are on the "nice" list. But older kids, teens and adults who want to see Santa might be on the "naughty" list, and Santa just might have a lump of coal for them.

Candy Canes - An elf will hand out candy canes at the conclusion of the child's or family’s visit with Santa. Your church, company or event venue will supply the candy canes. Since Santa comes at no charge, don't go cheap on the candy canes.

Children’s Names - If the venue is a church or school where the elves would know the children's names, an elf will be assigned the duty of whispering names to Santa in advance. Otherwise, at the head of the line (away from Santa) an elf will ask the names of the kids and then go to Santa, tell him the names so that Santa knows their names and can use their names as they approach. Santa will motion for the children to come forward. At noisy events, the elf may need to write the child’s name on a card for Santa.

Dealing with Criers - Toddlers and babies are sometimes afraid of Santa. In such a case, their parents/guardians may be able to alleviate fear. Crying children should NOT be forced to sit on Santa's lap, but we will work with the parents and try to get a photo.

Photos - An elf will be assigned to work with the photographer (or the parent photographer) to help position children with Santa for the best pose. Help a child follow the photographer’s instructions. Posing tips:

• Position the child or family with Santa so that the child and Santa are as close to the same height as possible. This could mean some children should stand, others should sit on Santa’s knee. This applies to teens and adults too so that they are not too tall for Santa. When children sit on Santa’s lap, help them up... Santa is old... it’s hard for Santa to do that.

• Pose the hair... long hair should fall in front of, or behind the shoulders... not on the shoulders. Additionally, long hair should fall behind one shoulder, in front of the other

• As the subject looks toward the camera, turn their shoulders slightly.

• Ask the child to push their chin forward to create a strong jaw line

• Lift arm from the torso if this can be made to look natural.

• Generally, have the subject look at the camera, either by turning the head or directing eyes. The goal is that the iris of the eye should be seen over the whites of the eye.

• After completing the posing, stand behind the photographer and help get children to look and smile.