Friday we're doing a live shot with the local CBS affiliate KUTV-TV channel 2 at from 4:45 to 8:00 AM to promote a Summer Santa promotion at the local franchise of Marble Slab Creamery.
It was originally conceived and the logistics handled by Mike Peer, Ower, President and CEO of MUNCHKINRADIO.COM in cooperation with the Utah Food Bank. As promotions go, it's a pretty standard co-op arrangement. A few things make it interesting (Link to Summer Santa Promotions)
Right now, lets talk about Santa Suits. I have several:
1. The Conventional American Santa Suit popularized by the Coke Ads--red velveteen tunic trimmed in white faux fur long enough to go to mid thigh; red velveteen pants (with very light parachute pants, surprizingly warm, but quick to wash and dry; Black boots adapted from a pair of ten dollar JC Penny boots, with real leather extensions and side zippers with 5 inch wide, white fur tops. The Red Santa Hat with an oversized white fur pom pom at the end of the triangular foldover finish the image on the outside.
We've invested more than $1,000 in this suit alone--but it is authentic down to the leather belt, Wrist Bells, Leather Bag, Colorful courderoy Prop and Toy Bags etc. (Santa's Costume & Prop Accessories)
2. Zork, Santa's Evil Twin Black & Scruffy Suit. We've had two really quality Santa Suits, had sewn by JoAnn Brown at The Costume Closet in Salt Lake City. The first one was dyed black when it was almost completely worn out to costume Wayne Osmond as Zork, Santa's Evil Twin on tour and in Branson Missouri at the Osmond Family Theater. A black wig and whiskers and outlandishly large sunglasses complete the outfit. Because he's the villain of the piece his boots are less stylish than Santa's. Cheap Wellingtons scuffed and dirty--with no fur on top worked for us.
My late, great friend Mel Peterson from Butte, Montana and his talented seamstress wife "willed" a Santa Suit she had sewed for her husband. (A friend in Montana built a plywood "sleigh" for a jeep-- and Santa Mel had a vehicle for outdoor visits in Christmastime Montana
We loaned that wonderful suit out to John Sabourin so many times we willed it on to him. (He is the Santa at the Hogle Zoo. It's payment in advance for helping us with our overloaded schedule now and again.
3. St. Nicholas' (Father Christmas ) Hooded Cape. A dear friend at work bragged to me one day during a break that she could sew anything. I always wanted a truly British "rig" Trouble is the "ideal" fabric she chose-- a rich, deep red upholstery material weighs quite a bit more than the light faux ribless courderoy that my classic Coke Santa tunic is made of. Of course once "built" it had to be lined! I've only worn it a few times--because Santa has to be pretty buff just to wear the silly thing. No wonder those English Father Christmas characters stoop and shuffle--their rig is way to heavy and thick for proper warmth. Carrying it alone is almost too much for an older man. I use it to good advantage by showing up for the "gig" in the Father Christmas hooded cape...and take it off to reveal #4.
4. Summer Santa Gear: Red and White Hybiscus Aloha Shirt and white canvas shorts with white tenny runners. This will be the costume on TV and in the promotion this coming Friday and Saturday.
I've dreamed for years of doing Santa Year round with a green velvet suit, maybe a matching green bowler and a flashy bright red satin tie-- doing promotions
We were at IKEA a couple of weeks ago, out in the parking lot after an hour of browsing the best Swedish gear they had to offer (especially the swedish meatballs). I was wearing a light longsleeve windowpane plaid shirt and my red parachute pants.
A guy and his wife from Idaho came were walking from their car in to the super store as we were coming out....and he shouted a ho Ho HO to me across the steaming pavement. It was a fellow Santa; a bearded chubby guy with a wife, who, like Gramma Rosie, no doubt booked his visits and shared in the process!
We had to stop and visit--and that gaggle of likely Santa's and Santa's helpers was too much for 6 year old Ryan just climbing into his family van. He tugged on his Mamma's shirt and whispered loud enough for us to overhear: "Look! It's HIM!"
It's a "buying signal" and before long I waddled over to his grocery cart and began the North Pole Charm Offensive: (Link to another post)
The mother gave me the key to the Summer Santa Outfit: "He saw your red pants!" That and the beard--'gave me away!" and I vowed then and there to pursue a life long dream: Year 'Round Santa (link to another post) I pulled out every red piece of clothing I had--and I only wear red in public...but for the Summer "gig" I had to have an Aloha Red and White Hibiscus Shirt. We researched them and found the best price on Amazon.com. If you've heard of the movie, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" with young star Amber Tamblin, you get the idea for the title of this blog: Live, from Tulsa: the 'Shuttling Summer Santa Shirts!"
The Internet is a wonderful thing for Sears Roebuck wannabes like Amazon--because once they have your electronic money, they can provide a report on the progress of the delivery of what ever you buy. Here's the tracking itinerary for my two Shuttling Shirts and some guessing on my part about what they did on the trip here:
Track your HAWAIIAN MEN'S CLASSIC FLOWER SHIRT
Date Time Location Event Details
July 28, 2010 10:03:00 AM Salt Lake City UT US Delivered -- Hooray!
Four Hours to hang out at the UPS Station and get a quick nosh before showing up at our house!
July 28, 2010 06:20:00 AM Salt Lake City UT US Arrival Scan
Half an hour for a Continental Breakfast
July 28, 2010 05:53:00 AM Salt Lake City UT US Out for delivery
July 28, 2010 05:53:00 AM Salt Lake City UT US Arrival Scan
Five hours of Starlight Travel over the Rockies - What a view for two Shuttling Shirts
July 27, 2010 12:01:00 AM Commerce City CO US Departure Scan
Spent the night in Colorado - How do you have fun in a warehouse for 8 hours?
July 26, 2010 04:01:00 PM Commerce City CO US Arrival Scan
Hot, dusty travel over the Kansas praries - Thirsty work. Need a Pina Colada
July 26, 2010 07:11:00 AM Salina KS US Departure Scan
Two hours for a Kansas Steak and Egg Breakfast - Big hot journey ahead!
July 26, 2010 04:54:00 AM Salina KS US Arrival Scan
Quick Early Morning hop 'tween Wichita and Salina-- No Hot Sun!
July 26, 2010 02:59:00 AM Wichita KS US Departure Scan
Midnight sleep interrupted for two hours - no mileage just rearranging our package
July 26, 2010 12:48:00 AM Wichita KS US Arrival Scan
Wow--liberated for the road--late night snack -- Launch the Adventure
July 23, 2010 09:07:00 PM Tulsa OK US Departure Scan
Something Good is comin' --We're not on the shelf in the Tulsa warehouse any more!
July 23, 2010 07:09:00 PM Tulsa OK US Shipment received by carrier
We are ALIVE! From idea to order-- Hello, world, Amazon sent us
July 23, 2010 01:20:16 PM US Shipment has left seller facility and is in transit
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