Professional Santas, Mrs. Clauses gather in Tarpon Springs for annual workshop
Palm Trees Santas Workshop
The annual Palm Trees Santas Workshop is underway, getting the new jolly crew prepared to spread Christmas cheer later this year. FOX 13's Heather Healy reports.
TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - More than 80 professional Santas and Mrs. Clauses attended the Palm Tree Santas Workshop in Tarpon Springs. The event featured out-of-state instructors who provided training on photo sessions, hospital visits and different types of environments.
Tarpon Springs Santa, Mrs. Claus workshop
What we know:
Organizers focused on teaching Santas how to respond when children ask difficult questions, such as inquiring about parents serving overseas or asking for deceased family members.
Mrs. Clauses at the event said that they help ease children into photos when the kids feel hesitant around Santa. Santa Bob Elkin noted that they focus on keeping children at ease during both fun and challenging moments.
Performer training guidelines
What they're saying:
"This is one of the best classes ever because everybody from Florida can come," Mrs. Claus Sandie said. "And we have so many great speakers and stuff, you can learn an awful lot."
"The present isn't the gift that they get, the real present is the experience that we share," Santa Jeff McMullen said.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from Palm Tree Santas Workshop organizers, who provided details through event presentations, as well as Santas Bob Elkin, Jeff McMullen and Mrs. Claus Sandie.