December 2009 Issue

Ah, the holidays. It's time to shop for the perfect gift. But what to get? Good thing you put your little ones on Santa's lap so they could explicitly tell Santa (you) what they want. Now imagine you're on the other end. Having people sitting their soiled-diaper laden kids on your lap while your Santa suit doubles as a sponge is just part of the territory.

Mr. Reed, replete with full beard, jolly attitude and Santa-esque stature, is well known in the local community, partly because he plays accordion and guitar in a polka band, but mostly because is he a retired teacher with 32 years of service under his belt.

Aside from being Santa, he still gives lessons for vocal and instrumental music. P.U.L.P. wrangled the preeminent mall Santa, Kent Reed, to answer the 20 most important questions ever asked. You may want a hanky, this one's a tear jerker.

P.U.L.P.: What was you first time like? Being Santa, that is!

Kent Reed: It was fun; there is magic, a sparkle in the kids' eyes and they believe that Santa is real. It was a great experience, that's why I keep doing it.

P: What was the nicest thing anyone ever asked Santa for?

KR: A little girl came running up and gave me a candy cane. So I asked her what she wanted, and she said, "Oh I don't need anything; I just wanted to give you a candy cane and a hug." Other times though, kids have asked to make friends and family members who were sick or terminally ill well again. I just have to tell them Santa was thinking of them and keeping them in his prayers.

P: How easy is the transition from Santa to other holiday characters like the Easter Bunny?

KR: Ha. I've never done the Easter bunny, but I know the Easter bunny is a lot hotter, the costume is a full enclosure. I've had friends who've done it and they said they've paid for it after. Santa just sits in front of a fan, the Easter bunny is in that costume all day.

P: It seems like everyone has a story about when they were kids and they got scared of Santa and peed on him. Does it really happen or is it just urban legend?

KR: It's never happened to me-I don't think it's legend but it's never happened. Kids definitely get scared, but, oh now I should knock on wood that I'm saying this, that has never happened.

P: Has working malls left you feeling jaded or does it increase your holiday spirit?

KR: It increases the spirit. I meet so many different people. Last year I went to a group home and they were just so happy and cheerful and so glad to be there and glad that I was there. I enjoy people and when people go to see Santa they are usually in the holiday spirit. Kids rarely ask for material things. It's usually the parents who egg them on because they have already bought presents. A few will have a list, but it is just one or two things.

P: At the end of the day, do you want to sit on someone else's lap and ask for something?

KR: Nah, I just want to go home and go to bed. You're an entertainer at that point; you're "on" the whole time, so when it's over I just want to put my feet up and relax.

P: Does the bad Santa thing really happen? Have you ever gone in reeking of gin and cigars?

KR: Oh no! I've never experienced it, I think that's a movie myth. The companies that hire are pretty serious in the screening process, drug screenings and background checks and all.

P: What percentage of kids do you think believe that you are actually Santa?

KR: Hmmm, I think most of them do-even the older ones. What is funny for me is a lot of the kids are former students, so I know some details about them and then they really think, "Wow this is Santa!" Plus I have a real beard so that helps too-they see the beard and believe I am Santa.

Kent is available as a Santa even when it's not Christmas: (719) 547-7635.