The late, great Provo, Utah radio executive Frank VanWagenen and his wonderful wife Phyllis, arranged for me to come to their home one snowy pre-Christmas evening. Their daughter and her family and, oh yes, her husband (the kids father) Robert Redford were the guests of honor.Playing, rather becoming Santa for famous people, deserves some special handling. During the decade or so that we began our family in Utah Valley, South of Salt Lake, we parlayed a budding radio career into 30 years as the official Osmond Family Santa, visits to Larry King and this Robert Redford Family encounter---that live in our Santa Memory.
Here's the lesson: Famous People love it when you treat them in their real role as Mom or Dad and give them a break from sucking up all the lime light while you focus on their great kids!
There's a couple more lessons that I'm happy to share about important CREDIBILITY CUES. Watch for them in this memory.
In 1979, Frank and Phyllis lived in the VanWagenen family home-- a stately red brick corner house with lovely stone columns and a huge front lawn--that was covered with thick snow the night we were invited to "entertain".
After nearly six years in "the business" we'd learned a thing or two about developing credibility for Santa in young minds.
CREDIBILITY CUE #1: SANTA RESEARCH - We learned, for example, that Santa forewarned is Santa forearmed. Rosie and Phyllis developed a list of Redford Kids and intimate information --like names of their teachers, good subjects in school, pets and always something they did really well - Sports Championships or Musical Awards - and finally something that each child could do to improve. Picking up the half dozen sopping towels after too long showers is one of my favorites--but complete lists at this point would be way too entertaining!
For example, in 1973 for Donny Osmond's 16th Birthday Party (our first visit to the family) we learned months before the rest of the world that Donny loved Purple Socks.
CREDIBILITY CUE #2: SANTA SILENCE - Instead of a bombastic HO Ho ho! on entering, I've learned to be almost paralyzed in movement and mute. I often start the visit on the lawn in front of a prearranged open window. A few chords on a concertina with my back to the house provokes maximum interest. The hostess is briefed to send one of the older children This "mystic" entrance develops a wonderful curiousity in every small child--and caring adult. Most importantly it calms the crying that is inevitable in very small children at this new and unfamiliar image----craggy face, shaggy beard and bright red suit.
CREDIBILITY CUE #3: SANTA PANTOMIME - Early on I discovered kids really want to try on Santa's own hat and coat--so I built that into a routine that ends with a dozen kids--all in Santa hats with their own rhythm band instrument, with Santa on the piano singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (See Santa's Best Entrance for a complete dialogue and mime strategy)
CREDIBILITY CUE #4: START SLOW - BUILD TO FUN - By beginning the process with Santa appearing (POOF) as if by magic on a snowy front lawn--and appearing to be more fearful than the youngest child, Santa "seems" to be more natural. In a 45 minute visit, Santa has the option to be able to build his performance to a crescendo and leave on a high note.
CREDIBILITY CUE #5: SANTA SITS IN JUDGEMENT WITH A TWINKLE - By this point in the visit Santa has "spoken" I love it when kids whisper, "He DOES speak! He seems to have unthawed from the paralysis and he's wowed them with their favorite song... All these are important part of the Santa Credibility Cues. Most kids desperately want to believe--and a good Santa makes that possible.
True believers shine with a Love that is always reflected in the faces of the caring Adults. One of the little benefits for a Santa who is quick to observe. And absolutely nothing beats the waves of love that rolls over you from a true believer 4-7 year old.
Kids expect to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. Here's some suggestions that will make this part of the visit shine.
1. Pre-arrange Small Gifts with name tags (including their best and worst behaviors) These will become the focus of both this segment and Santa's exit strategy. Dollar store toys are plenty. Make sure the hostess works with the other mothers and get toys that are wrapped in opaque, colorful paper and ribbon. Clear wrapping reveal the mystery of the toy too early. More about that in a moment. A garbage sack with these gifts outside the front door will save all the
2. Grab a Gift and Call the Child up to the front. The lure of the gift will draw even the most hesitant child forward.
3. Using the Tag as a Cue Card--help the child feel good about him/her self ---then move in for the gentle "kill" as you remind a child that he needs to improve. Inviting a child to raise his hand and promise before very friendly witnesses takes the attention off the adult photographers who use this moment on Santa's lap for a memory making picture.
4. Award the Gift with a Warning! Delayed Gratification is both the goal and a practical action for Santa's exit--read on. I tell each child to be sure and WAIT until Everybody Gets one. Most do--and the youngest who can't wait, go ahead and open theirs. Most of the children will wait and fantasize for the last few minutes of the visit about what treasure lies under colorful paper.
5. The Beginning of the End- When everybody has their gift, Santa gets up and stretches...and invites every child in the place to sit in a circle in the middle of the room.
(I've tried it both ways--and generally its wise not to give presents to the Adults in the room. At Adult Parties, inviting half a dozen folks with particularly good stuff on the tag can represent everyone there. Large parties--like a church or big corporate party require different exit strategies.
6. Teaching the Meaning of a Gift - Santa explains that in a few short moments everyone can open their gifts--but first --they should set them down and ponder the giver of the gift--and their gratitude for it.
NOTE: I have decided over more than 30 years of standing in for the Real Claus that I will never again ask what a Child wants for Christmas. The question perpetuates what we have come to call a GIMME Mentality. Instead I will ask if they have anything to tell me. This has led to some very interesting questions--and comments over the years.
7. The Countdown and Misdirected Exit - Santa encourages everyone to count down with him from 5 to 0 and shout Merry Christmas as a signal to open the presents. "Stare at your gifts...and remember that there's more where those came from if you go to bed EARLY on Chrismas Eve! Now, I'd like to invite everyone to count down with me and shout Merry Christmas as a signal to open the presents. Are you staring at your present (Response: YES) OK, Let us Begin tonight's Christmas Countdown, Shout it with me: '5,4,3,2,1 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!'
At just the moment when every child in the place is focused with ferocious intensity on the unwrapping of the gift, Santa is moving slowly toward the front door--or a back exit, gathering bags and coat and props as he goes. Quietly, with the explosion of unwrapping and fun, he slips away--so that in a few minutes, little ones look up and he seems to have DISAPPEARED!!!
Always park up the street, away from any windows so you can beat it to the car and drive away with the lights off and make the final exit strategy complete!
OPTION 1 - The "Go Look for the Reindeer" Exit Strategy - Kent Flowers and his wife are the parents of a University of Texas graduate student in trombone performance. I've visited there for decades--and even though she knows "the truth" about me and what I do, she has come to look forward every year to doing what I'm about to share with her sweet Mom.
Instead of using little gifts, I've used this gambit to get the kids out of the room so I can make a leisurely get away!
"How would you like to see a reindeer fly?" I'll ask. Every kid and some of the adults show their interest and enthusiasm. "OK," I continue. "In just a few minutes I'm going up on the roof and climb into my sleigh. If you would like to watch the lift off, you need to go to a Bedroom that faces NORTH! Which bedroom in this house faces NORTH?" (or EAST or WEST etc. anywhere away from the street where you've parked the car)
"Is that Gramma and Grampa's bedroom? Is it OK for the family to gather at your bedroom window (Response: OF COURSE!)........(pause) Well, what are you waitin' for? I can't believe you're not already there!" Watch the stampede begin.
A former boss went into the room with his kids to see how I would handle it, thinking I would shoot off some roman candles or something. He practically ruined the effect when a faraway plane flew over, flashing it's red light. "Look, dad," a younger child shouted-- "There's Rudolph's nose." My boss shut the kid down--saying, "Naw, that's just a plane!" Some adults can really spread a wet blanket on the preceedings! JWC
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment