The other day I read this IAMA (Q & A) with a department store Santa Claus.  You can really tell he loves his job.  Aw, aw, aw.

He also gives good advice for parents:

I thought I could give you guys a few helpful tips if you plan on taking kids to see Santa this holiday season:

1.) If you have kids that are scared at all, the worst thing you can do is build up pressure. One mistake a lot of people make is to show the kids how exciting this is, they’re really loud and overexcited. “HI, SANTA!!! MOLLY, LOOK, IT’S SANTA!!” It just makes it worse. Just bring them in quietly, be excited, but be conscious of your energy giving your kid more anxiety.

2.) Let the kids do the talking. A lot of parents can’t help but jump in. “Tell Santa what you want. A train, right? You want a train, don’t you?” They micromanage the whole visit, without realizing that they’re doing it. Any good Santa is going to ask your kid what they want for Christmas. It’s the whole reason for the visit, so let him do his job and let your kid speak for themselves.

3.) On the off chance your kid gets nervous and can’t speak for themselves, help them but do it gently. And, don’t apologize for them or bring attention to anything negative. Don’t criticize your kid in front of Santa. “He’s too shy, Santa. Tell him he won’t get any presents if he doesn’t tell you.” I’ve seen kids self-esteem plummet when a parent criticizes them in front of the most important guy at Christmas.

4.) Don’t make Santa the vegetable or homework police. That’s the parent’s job. Santa doesn’t make kids eat broccoli. He just wants to give them presents if they’ve been good.

5.) Dads, don’t make inappropriate jokes in front of your kids and Santa. “Santa, I want two Hooters waittresses!” (true story)

6.) Don’t ask me or the elves how many Santas there are working, or how much they get paid, or other behind the scenes questions. I’ve literally had kids on my lap, and I’m looking into their eyes and I know they’re believing in Santa, and then I hear someone say, “He looks a lot better than the Santa at Wal-Mart”, or something.

For the most part, just be laid back and quiet. Take the pressure off. Be happy with a crying picture, sometimes those are the most fun memories later. Be nice to the elves, because they take all the shit and make a lot less than Santa Claus. That’s a few to help you out, happy to answer more.

I’m so prone to bawling at anything remotely sweet, so reading that at work was a challenge for me, be warned!

Also, this:

(From www.postsecret.com- I didn’t link to it because the actual site is blocked in Dubai so I copied the image from my Google Reader.)

Let’s just all go be nice and kind and helpful and generous to some strangers today, ok?  On account of the holidays and all.