Santa
Claus Visit Setting to Create Great Interaction
by Susen Mesco, Master Santa Claus
Trainer,
Professional Santa Claus
School Conference, Denver, CO
Friday, April 9, 2010 at 5:53pm
Most Santas never think of getting
involved with the client or presenter to talk about the Santa Claus setting
where children will have their visits. IF YOU CAN, spend some time meeting with
the person in charge to help design a effective and efficient Santa Claus
set.
Here are a few tips:
What will the child see as they approach the set?
Get
on your knees and look at it. Are lights shining in their eyes like an
uncomfortable interrogation setting?Is Santa “hidden” from the child’s view
until they need to climb onto your lap?
If children can watch and get
familiar with what is going to happen and spend time watching other children
having an enjoyable time, the panic situations will certainly decompress.
If the
chair is elevated too high it can be intimidating. One or two steps up to a 16″
riser is plenty. Having to go up to a strange place is intimidating and foreign.
Climbing stairs is not very fun for little ones. Parents struggle to get
shopping carts or strollers up.Is the entrance and exit designed to move the
traffic smoothly?
Is there enough room for the photographer or parents to back
up a bit safely and take a photo?
Is music too loud?
What is there for the
children to do while they wait to see Santa Claus. Just waiting in line can
make anyone cranky?
How is the Santa Claus chair or throne designed? Is it
comfortable for both Santa and the child to sit upon. Some of the most
elaborate chair are the worse. A high back coronation chair with carve arm
rests leaves no room for the child to sit or lean. Santa can’t be comfortable
sitting there for too long. (Bring a pillow and cover it with velveteen
cloth.)
Sleighs sound like a very Santa Claus like setting to place a Santa (to
the event coordinator or presenter.) They can be dangerous to get in and out
of, as well as difficult to take photos without the sleigh actually getting in
the way. They are awkward and either too small or large for the task. Charming
for some things but not always conducive to efficient Santa visits.
(Sorry but it is true in most cases.)
The Santa Claus visit setting can play a
major role in the quality of your visit. Be sure yours make it fun and
enjoyable for the children.What was the WORSE or BEST Santa set you ever worked
in?
Be sure to invite your Santa friends
to subscribe to this blog for tips, ideas and ways to improve your Santa Claus
portrayal.
See you in Denver, this August for the 31st Annual Pro
Santa Claus School Conference!
For more details:
Susen Mesco
Master Santa Claus Trainer since
1983!
No comments:
Post a Comment