The Story Of Santa Scott

Answer: “Well, it started out when I was a young boy. I would have Santa Claus come to my house to visit with my family. I really enjoyed it every year. As I got older and knew who the person who dressed as Santa was, I told myself that when I get like that, I would love to be Santa for other kids, and make their Christmas’s so much more special. As for a “Celebrity Santa”, it’s just a title. I am a regular person, like anyone else, that just enjoys making people smile and be happy ‒ especially for the holidays.”

Answer: “As of 2019, I have been doing Santa for about ten years. The first four years, I did it with a fake beard, which was a lot more work. I needed at least two helpers to assist in putting my beard on. Then, I finally decided to grow a real beard. I’ve never had one before. I’ve always been cleaned shaved, especially from being a marine and retired New York City Police Officer.”

“At first I wasn’t too sure of how it would look, and believe it or not, my beard is actually red. I have it dyed by my hair stylist Annmarie (Instagram@ShearBlissStudio), she also did my wife’s hair, and does my daughter’s hair as well. Many people try to get rid of their gray or white, but I’ve been begging for mine to come in. Slowly but surely it is. But each season, I still need to have it dyed for that truly authentic look.”

Answer: “My favorite part would have to be the joy it brings to people. There is no age limit on joy. Many adults, and even older adults, appreciate that I take the time out to make them feel special as well. The kids’ smiles, when they light up because Santa is right there, in their house... it’s truly an amazing feeling to which that nothing else can compare.”

Answer: “Well it’s not playing when you’re actually Santa Claus! Just kidding. I do take this job very seriously, and it’s a big part of my life now. Right after Halloween, I’m already in “Santa mode”, especially because we’re booking and trying to start promoting events. But right after Christmas Eve, everything kind of just stops. I really wish I could do it all year 'round.”

“But again, I’m just like anybody else. When I’m not doing Santa, I’m shoveling snow, I’m taking care of my three dogs. I’ve got doctor’s appointments. In the summertime, I’m laying by my pool. I’m trying to travel more, and spend more time with my family. I go shopping. I watch sports. I love throwing parties. Whatever you do, I typically do as well.”

Answer: "There are a lot of qualities about me that make me special. One of them is that I attended Santa School (yes, they really do have a school for Santas,) and I am a part of the Real Bearded Santa Organization. I learned so much from the Santa School. You couldn’t even begin to imagine! One notable things is that I am considered a “young Santa”. The average Santa is about 58, and when I started I was just 48.

I also have red hair, and blue eyes, which is how the original Kris Kringle was. Many Celebrity Santas are older, and can’t do much, but I still have my strength, so I can pick up the kids and take pictures with them. I also dance (even though I’m not very good at it.) Plus, I have my own staff of helpers who are either family or close family friends. I always bring a helper with me to assist with children and crowd control. I have my own custom-made Santa chair that my cousin built for me. The arm rests hold 2,000 pounds, so anyone can sit on them. Finally, I’m truly "life size" to the kids. I’m six foot one, and weight two hundred and fifty pounds! The kids see me and they’re amazed!"

Answer: "My daughter Nikole is my manager, and is in charge of everything. She is at the majority of my jobs because she is my greatest asset. She sets up and takes down the display, does the bookings, handles the pricing, makes the phone calls, sends out the replies to the emails, arranges the meetings... she really does everything. She is also in charge of my Facebook and Instagram pages. If you send us a message, she’s the one replying.

My niece Kaitlyn helps out a lot, and is Nikole’s right hand girl. They’ve got everything down to a science, and make every job go really smooth. I bring at least two to three helpers to my jobs, depending on the size of them. Kaitlyn and Nikole take the presents out of my Santa bag, and call out the names for me. I really need them with me because they know exactly how I think and can envision what I want. I have specific pictures that I enjoy taking with couples and babies. They know how to set up the best shots. The parents are just in awe of how in-tune am with their child, and how we know to take the picture just when the child is telling me what they want for Christmas. I hold their hand, and get really close to their face and whisper with them. It results in such an amazing picture, and the parents don’t realize how much experience we have with getting the timing perfect. My assistants will try to help the parent take pictures, but sometimes they don’t always know how to get the angle or timing right, so we'll take the phone for them to get them that perfect shot."

Answer: “There are so many different questions, but these are some of the most popular ones...

“Where are the reindeer and what are their names?”

“How far away is the North Pole?”

“Where are the elves?”

“How can I become a Santa’s Helper?” 

“Where is your sleigh?”

Typically for those questions, I send them to my helpers, and it’s kind of funny to watch them figure out an answer.

Adults commonly ask:

“Where do you work/perform?” (as in malls, clubs etc.)

“Why do you do it?”

“Where did you get your suit?”

“Where is/do you have Mrs. Claus?”

Answer: “I actually do a lot of volunteer work, which all of us enjoy doing. I’ve done SEPTA (special education) for Longwood before. Just for kids, in Middle Island. I’m getting more into the local fire department by me, which is in Yaphank. I’ve done a lot of the special needs schools. I appeared at one school in Nassau which was entirely comprised of children in wheel chairs. Some of them move have to me their chair with their head. It was an amazing experience, and I loved every moment of it.”

“I’m also trying to get more involved with hospitals, and cancer centers for children. I’ve done a couple nursing homes. Being Santa can be such an honor when it’s for kids who are either less fortunate, or disabled. I’ve always believed in giving back, and that’s a big reason why I try to do every job I can ‒ especially for people who are in need.”

Answer: “Believe it or not, we have people who book me a year in advance! You can call anytime during the year and we can put you down. Always the sooner you call, the better, because we start filling up our available dates very fast.”

Answer: “I pretty much go all over. I’ve gone from way out in the Hamptons all the way into Manhattan. Depending on the job and what it is, as long as I’m available, I’ll be there!”

Answer: “Of course you can! There is no age limit on pictures with Santa Scott. My favorite ones are with the older adults who can’t walk up to take one with me. After I’m done with the big crowds who come up to sit or stand with me, I go around the room and find all the people who who weren’t able to come up to see me in my chair. I’ll sit next to them, and take a nice picture. I love to make everyone smile, young or old.”

Answer: “Yes my beard is real, and yes you can pull on it. I do get it dyed white though, which is a special process all its own, and it looks really good.” In fact, Santa Scott has one of the most authentic “Santa beards” you'll ever find.

Answer: “More than anything else, I just want to spread cheerful joy, love and happiness, and good health to as many people as possible. That is the true privilege and honor of getting to be Santa for the Christmas Season. That, and leaving the children with fond memories that they can look back on when they’re older, knowing they got to “meet Santa” in real life when they were little.