Be sure to have all cameras, camcorders and batteries necessary to take the photos you want. Be sure to recharge or have fresh batteries.

It should be right where he is visiting. If he parks down the street or around the corner and has to walk all the way to your home or office, he may be winded and exhausted when he gets there. Remember, he’s a Senior Citizen wearing a heavy velvet suit that gets very hot. He always budgets about five minutes for parking. Any more time than that is part of your allotted time. If the visit is at your home, leave an opening at the end of your driveway. Put a temporary barrier in the space. Have some fun and put a sign out “Reserved for Santa!” or back one car down the driveway with a space in front. When Santa calls that he is there, whoever greets him outside can pull the car up in the driveway and Santa can park right behind. If your event is at a company facility, office building or hotel, try to make arrangements for Santa to park in a valet or loading area. Again, you can mark the area with a fun sign. This makes it easier for him to be fresh and ready to bring joy to your guests.

Santa does not bring any candy canes or gifts with him. He will hand out your candy and gifts and can carry in one bag of presents (40 lbs. or less) for children or guests. They should be well labeled. I suggest a large black marking pen and writing directly on the gift, as tags can easily fall off. All packages should fit into one 35-gallon trash bag. He will then transfer the gifts to his “Santa” bag. If you have more gifts, Santa will usually ask a couple of the ‘big kids’ (adults) to be honorary Elves and instruct them to bring in the extra gifts. You may also consider having someone assist Santa by picking the present from the bag and handing it to Santa.

If you opted for this Santa’s List book has a page inside for each child. It is you responsibility to get Cincy Santa all the information requested in a timely manner so that a proof can be sent to the parents, and the pages can be printed. If you have a large crowd, it would help if someone could assist Santa and find each Childs page for Santa before they actually sit on his lap.

Folding chairs, plastic chairs, and low chairs (the one’s you sink into) are not good. Santa likes a chair that is sturdy and stable. A good, sturdy straight-back dining chair with no arms works well. He should be able to sit comfortably with the chair supporting him plus a child on each knee.

Maybe in front of a decorated wall or any festive type of backdrop, and your photos will have more impact. Place a wreath, a few Christmas cards or your children’s drawings on the wall to make a wonderful difference. Leave a foot or two between the chair and the tree or wall. This will allow room for others to gather around and behind Santa’s chair for group photos. Fireplaces do look nice but remember putting Santa too close to a real fire is not good for his comfort or health.

Timing is everything. Santa’s contracted time begins the minute he arrives. Minutes spent getting everyone together are part of your contracted time. If everyone is scattered around the house or office, you lose valuable time. Santa and you can coordinate. He should call you when he is five minutes away from arriving. That’s your cue to have someone go outside to meet Santa, and for you to get everyone together and maybe to sing some Christmas Carols. If Santa is to bring in presents, the person meeting him can help him fill his bag. Then, at the right moment, Santa can pop in and join everyone in the singing. If you have a large group of children to see Santa, you should assign someone to be Santa’s helper and coordinate the children as they each visit Santa.

Yes, some teenagers will shy away or think it is too childish to have a photo with Santa. Don’t worry; Santa can stand up for a “buddy” photo. What about grandma and grandpa? Take a photo with Santa and Grandma hugging. And, nothing is more fun than having Santa ask Grandpa if he’s been a good boy.

If there is a balance or payment due to Santa place it inside a Christmas card or envelope. It never looks appropriate when someone gives cash to Santa. So, as Santa is departing, hand him the envelope and say, “Thank you Santa, and here is a Christmas card from all of us”.

This is very important and something most adults don’t mean to do. Please don’t say things to Santa such as “Why you’re one of the best Santas I’ve ever seen”. Don’t ask questions about when he started playing Santa or where did he get his costumes. It’s very important that you treat Cincy Santa as Santa Claus and not as someone that plays Santa Claus. Please help keep the wonder of Christmas for your children and others.