In a shocking revelation from the North Pole, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus performers around the world are facing a peculiar modern-day problem: how to shop for necessities without breaking the magic of Christmas. With so many little eyes scanning grocery store aisles for holiday heroes, maintaining the illusion has become a high-stakes operation. Running into an actively working performer could turn out to be a bad deal for children.
The unwritten code of the Claus performers is simple: Do not confuse the kids. But sticking to that code while living a normal life is no small feat. Even shopping for your family or yourself while at times staying incognito can be difficult but it is especially needed in areas where a Christmas performer is working.
The Masked Claus Conspiracy
“It started during the pandemic,” says Tim “Santa” Hart, a veteran Santa performer. “We were all wearing masks anyway, and I realized I could actually pick out my own Christmas ham without hearing a tiny voice yell, ‘Santa! Why are you buying cookies instead of baking them?’”
Now, Santa performers keep a stash of masks on hand—festive, plain, or even downright silly. “It’s not the beard that gives you away,” Hart explains. “It’s the twinkle in your eyes. Kids can spot Christmas magic from a mile away. The mask is like a force field.”
Mrs. Claus performers have it just as hard. “It doesn’t matter if I’m wearing yoga pants and a hoodie,” sighs Nancy “Mrs. Claus” Collins. “Some kid still yells, ‘Mrs. Claus, where’s Santa?’ Then I have to improvise—‘Oh, Santa’s checking the reindeer feed aisle!’—and bolt for the frozen foods section.”
This is especially important when a Christmas performer is on location. As Santa or Mrs. Claus, we can choose to embrace the recognition and just roll with it unless there is an on-site performer and we should respect their work.
Even in Disguise, the Magic Is Unstoppable
The most mind-boggling part of this ordeal is how, no matter the disguise, Santa and Mrs. Claus are still recognized. “I once wore sunglasses, a baseball cap, and a scarf,” says Joe “Santa” Mason. “A kid tugged on my sleeve and whispered, ‘Santa, are you in disguise?’ I just nodded and said, ‘Shhh, it’s top secret,’ and walked away.”
While some Claus performers might dream of a day when they can shop freely, many embrace the challenges with good humor. “It’s all part of the job,” Collins says. “If a kid thinks they saw Mrs. Claus buying carrots for the reindeer, that’s just a little more magic in their day.”
The Christmas Performer Code
And what happens if a performer is ever “caught” shopping by a child? There's an unspoken rule for that, too. "You smile, wave, and say you're picking up supplies for the big day," says Robbins. "Or blame it on the elves. Kids buy that every time." If there is an active Christmas performer it is always best to slip quietly away when possible.
So, if you’re out shopping this holiday season and see someone with a suspiciously Claus-like twinkle, don’t be surprised. Just remember to keep the magic alive—and maybe grab an extra carton of eggnog for Santa while you’re at it.
Comments