You’ve Hired a Santa, Now What? 

You’ve done it. You’ve taken the plunge and booked a professional Father Christmas for your festive event. The suit is pressed, the beard is ready, and excitement is building. But once you’ve confirmed your booking and circled the date in the diary, you might be wondering, what happens next?

Hiring a Santa is a brilliant way to bring genuine magic to your Christmas celebrations. The real success lies in how you use him on the day. Whether your Santa will be visiting a school, garden centre, corporate party, community event, or family gathering, a little planning helps ensure that every moment runs smoothly and leaves a lasting impression.

Set the Scene and Build the Excitement

First impressions matter, and creating the right atmosphere before Santa even walks in makes a huge difference. A bit of preparation will help transform an ordinary space into something truly magical.

Think about lighting, background music, and decoration. A chair or throne for Santa, a few wrapped presents, a Christmas tree, and some twinkling lights immediately set the tone. If you have elves or helpers, have them in place to welcome guests and build anticipation.

Santa’s entrance should feel special but not over the top. The jingle of bells or the distant sound of “Ho, ho, ho!” is often all it takes for children’s faces to light up. A professional Santa will take it from there, using his natural stage presence and warm personality to fill the room with festive spirit.

Plan a Smooth Running Order

To make your event feel effortless, it’s useful to have a running order, even for small gatherings. Decide in advance:

When and how Santa will arrive

Who will introduce him (an elf, teacher, or host)

How long the visit will last

Whether there will be gifts, photos, stories, or games

If it’s a large group, brief Santa on the number of guests and the format of the visit. Professionals are used to adapting. Some events run to a tight timetable, while others are more relaxed and spontaneous.

The more everyone knows in advance, the smoother it will be on the day.

Storytelling: A Santa Speciality

One of the simplest and most effective ways to captivate children is through storytelling. Most professional Santas are natural storytellers and have a repertoire of tales they can share, from life at the North Pole to the adventures of the reindeer.

You can build storytelling into your event by setting aside 10 to 15 minutes where everyone gathers round to listen. Keep the lighting soft, the music low, and let Santa weave a little magic with his words.

If you have specific stories in mind, perhaps a classic like The Night Before Christmas or a local festive tale, let your Santa know beforehand. They’ll be happy to adapt or add personal touches that fit your audience.

Photo Opportunities: Capture the Magic

No Santa visit is complete without photos. Whether you’re hosting a public event or a small family gathering, it’s worth planning how and where pictures will be taken.

A designated photo area works best. Somewhere well lit, with a festive backdrop, avoids crowding and allows children and families to take their turn without feeling rushed.

Professional Santas are used to posing naturally, engaging with each child, and ensuring those magical moments are captured perfectly. Encourage families to take their time, but keep things moving so everyone gets their chance.

If your event includes a photographer, brief them beforehand so they know Santa’s cues and when group shots will happen.

Songs, Games and Interaction

A good Santa visit is all about interaction. Many professional Santas love to lead Christmas songs or simple games that get everyone involved.

Ideas include:

Festive sing-alongs – “Jingle Bells”, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, or “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” always go down well.

Question time – Children can ask Santa about the North Pole, the reindeer, or how he fits down the chimney.

Elf training – Perfect for schools or large groups, Santa can lead children through a few “elf exercises” with silly instructions and plenty of laughter.

Reindeer games – Simple team activities or quizzes based on Santa’s reindeer names.

Even five or ten minutes of lively participation helps maintain attention and adds an extra layer of fun to the visit.

Gift Giving and Special Messages

If Santa will be handing out presents, make sure everything is clearly labelled or organised in advance. Santa should be able to pick up a gift easily without having to search through a pile of similar packages.

Professional Santas are experts at presenting gifts gracefully and creating a personal moment with each child. A small toy, book, or festive treat is all that’s needed to make the encounter memorable.

For an added touch, you can provide Santa with personalised “nice list” certificates or short notes of praise for each child. This works especially well in schools or nurseries.

Keep the Focus on the Children, But Manage the Adults

It’s worth noting that while children almost always adore their Santa visits, adults sometimes have higher expectations. Parents or organisers may focus on small details, timings, or comparisons to other events.

The best way to manage this is through clear communication before the visit. Explain how the event will run, how long Santa will stay, and what activities are included.

Remember that for most children, meeting Santa is pure magic. They’re not analysing every moment. Keeping the focus on their experience helps everyone relax and enjoy it.

After the Visit: Keep the Magic Alive

Once Santa has said his goodbyes and jingled away to his next stop, keep the festive feeling going.

Share photos (with permission) on social media or in newsletters.

Encourage children to write thank-you notes or draw pictures for Santa.

Display a few event photos at school or in the venue as a reminder of the day.

These little touches extend the joy of the event and reinforce the positive memories for families and guests.

A Final Word on Working with Your Santa

Every professional Santa is different. Each has their own personality, tone, and sense of humour, but what they all share is the desire to create magic.

Treat your Santa as part of your event team. Provide them with clear information, support them during the visit, and trust their experience. They’ve spent years perfecting their craft and know how to make even the smallest moment feel special.

Whether your event includes storytelling, photos, or songs, the magic always comes from the connection between Santa and the children. With a little planning and preparation, your Santa visit will be remembered for all the right reasons.

A professional Santa visit is one of the most joyful and rewarding parts of the Christmas season. With thoughtful preparation, a well-planned schedule, and a touch of imagination, you can turn it into something truly memorable for everyone involved.