When Jennifer Andrews wanted to rent a Santa to surprise her nephew on Christmas Eve, she stumbled upon Santa School. Although it was Santa’s busiest time of year, she convinced Santa Victor Nevada to visit her five-year-old nephew on the night before Christmas.

After developing a close relationship with Nevada, owner and founder of Santa School, Andrews was asked to take over the school prior to his “final sleigh ride,” as they say in the industry (referring to Nevada’s passing this past March). With that, Andrews found herself offering up Santas for rent. “Given his desire to go forward and given my inability to let it go, I knew it was going to be a good match,” said Andrews when talking about taking over the Santa School.

Depending on what the client needs and type of event, Santa School will rent out a Santa, elves, Mrs. Claus and even real reindeer. Santa School offers a three-day program for Santas-in-training, and although it’s usually only offered once a year, this year it will be held twice due to the high demand.

Photo: Julie Miller

“I have quite a passion for Christmas,” says Andrews. Although she did not leave her job as the clinic director at Arbor Lake Dental Care here in Calgary, she uses her background in teaching elementary school children business basics, and the help of her six-year-old daughter, to train Santas and run the school.

Preferring to keep his mystique alive, Carlo Klemm – who goes by Santa Edson – was a participant of the program in 2007 in hopes of familiarizing himself with the industry, and learning more than just putting on a red suit and fake hair.

The program costs US$500; they choose to work in US currency because most participants come from all around the world and the United States to Calgary for the program.

“I have four grandchildren living in Scandinavia, and I don’t get to hold them or hug them at Christmas time, so my being a Santa helper allows me to be part of some other youngsters’ Christmas and make me feel better,” says Santa Edson about the reward he receives from playing the part of Santa.

Requirements for the program are easy, explains Edson: “A desire to be a Santa helper, the willingness to learn how other people act, and a willingness to change your way for something more tried and true.”

While participating in the three-day program with the help of Victor Nevada’s Santa manual “All About Being Santa,” Edson learnt annunciation, character development, suit and facial hair maintenance, and how to take good photos. Judges are on hand before and after the program to evaluate and comment on each Santa’s performance, and after receiving a “Master of Santa Claus” certificate, participants are officially deemed new Santas.

Another program enabled an elf at the school, Elf Noel, to receive a “Masters in Elf Culture” certificate at Santa School. This year will be his fifth year helping with events.

“The best part about being one of Santa’s Elves is access to Santa’s toys and Mrs. Claus’ baked goods,” says Elf Noel. “Of course, the truly best part about being an Elf is helping to make the children smile and leaving them with a magical experience.”

Elf Noel thinks this year will be the busiest, and attends events to help Santa with whatever he might need, as well as handing out gifts to children and warming up the audiences. He enjoys spreading cheer over the season and doing his part to make Santa’s life a little easier.

Although he was unable to attend in 2008 due to two knee replacements, Edson looks forward to this year, and as long as he is separated from his own grandchildren he will continue to bring joy to other children.

“Sometimes at Christmas, Santa may be the only bright spot in their lives, and learning to deal with those instances can help a child cope with their circumstances,” he says.