Santa Clauses don’t grant many interviews, especially this time of year when they’re busy making lists, checking them twice — and figuring out how to deal with a youngster who wants a platypus for Christmas.
But Santa Dan, who looks a lot like Mall of America senior vice president Dan Jasper, took time out from meeting fans at the MOA’s Candy Cane Institute to answer questions about his duties.
Warning: Those who want to preserve a sense of mystery about the holiday VIP may want to skip the rest of this piece and rewatch “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” instead.
Q: How did you become Santa?
A: It came out of the blue. About halfway through 2020, in the middle of COVID, they asked me if I wouldn’t mind growing a beard in case one of the Santas we had hired got sick. I hadn’t had a beard in 40 years, but I said, “Sure, why not?” I ended up doing 10 shifts that year and loved it. When I was growing up, I saw the traditional Santa as kind of a scary guy with a fake beard. It wasn’t a great experience. I have fun, make the kids laugh, pick on the dads, make memories. There are some people that look amazing, but if you’re not going to connect with the kids and their family, it’s not going to work.
Q: How do you handle a kid who asks for something outrageous, like a horse or world peace?
A: Regardless of what they ask for, I tell them that Santa brings something special every year and will do so this year, as well. It’s not a commitment. That way, parents have some leeway to give what they want, but it’s still going to be special.
Q: How do you handle a kid that’s scared of you?