In a heartwarming trip down memory lane, we revisit the unexpected journey of an 18-year-old who found himself donning the iconic red suit and white beard to become Santa Claus for a day. It was 1981 in Tampa, Florida, where the concept of a white Christmas was as foreign as snowflakes in the subtropical climate. Yet, amidst the 60-degree December weather, a young man's offhand remark at The Village Inn restaurant led to an unforgettable Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, filled with laughter, challenges, and a touch of holiday magic.
The Village Inn's busboy crew was a diverse and eclectic bunch, each with their own quirks and aspirations. Stacy, the tall and tireless engineering student, Ricky, the funk band dreamer with a passion for Prince's music, and Mike, the sunburnt surf dude with a penchant for calling everyone "dude," made up the unlikely candidates for the role of Santa. Then there was Michael LaRocca, our narrator, a college student with a strong aversion to children and no desire to play the jolly old elf.
The dining room manager, Jo LaRocca, who also happened to be Michael's mother, ran a tight ship. When Mike's stint as Santa turned into a comedic disaster, with children unimpressed and unruly, Michael's boastful claim that he could do better sealed his fate. Jo LaRocca, ever the strict boss, gave Michael an ultimatum: play Santa or lose your job.
On Christmas Day, Michael reluctantly suited up as Santa Claus. His approach to the role was unconventional, to say the least. He quickly categorized the children into angels and demons, devising strategies to handle each. For the girls, promises of dolls and candy sufficed, but the boys required a more creative approach. Michael spun tales of a "borderline list" for the naughty or nice undecided, and even engaged in a battle of wits with a young skeptic, using time zones as a clever explanation for Santa's ability to travel the world in one night.
Michael's performance as Santa may have been a one-time affair, but the memories lingered. The following year, the restaurant found a more traditional Santa, and Michael never reprised the role. Yet, two decades later, the experience remains a cherished memory, a reminder of the unexpected joys and challenges that can come from stepping into someone else's boots—even if they're a size too big and come with a fake beard.
While Michael's story is unique, the role of Santa Claus is one that many people take on each year. According to a survey by Insure.com, professional Santas can earn an average of $30 per hour, with top earners making over $75 per hour during the holiday season. Additionally, a study by the University of Oxford found that children typically begin to question the existence of Santa around the age of eight, but the spirit of belief can persist well into adulthood, with 34% of parents admitting they continue the Santa tradition for their children even after they've stopped believing.
For more insights into the world of professional Santas, you can visit the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School, the longest continuously running Santa school in the world, which has been training Santas since 1937.
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