What to do in the event of exposure? Workshop for Santas
What do you do when a three-year-old pulls at his beard and threatens to expose the Santa Claus you've booked? What if the jute sack tears or the Golden Book is left with another family?
Even Santas can experience mishaps. In a two-hour workshop in Berlin, experienced Santas give new colleagues crucial tips on how to give presents as accident-free as possible, depending on their needs and the number of requests. This is organized by Weihnachtsmann2go, a Santa placement platform.
"Good preparation is simply everything," says Hansjörg Rodewald, who has been on the road as Santa Claus for almost 30 years. "You have to know all the names in the family, even the cat's first name. The more you know, the better," says Rodewald, who always has spare bags and a copy of the book in his luggage. It is also important to know where the presents are and to have enough light, otherwise it is impossible to read from the Golden Book, which contains important information about the children.
The 58-year-old is a regular member of the Santa2go team. Founder Frederik Tholey, a lawyer by profession, sits in a magnificent, gold-decorated velvet armchair in a rented conference room, with Rodewald next to him.
Staff shortage even for Santas
In front of them: a colorful mixture of men, from late thirties to retired policemen to pensioners. They all listen attentively as Tholey explains how they can register on the website, narrow down their area of operation and set the price. For beginners, he recommends around 50 to 60 euros per visit. This can add up to hundreds of euros in one evening.
The biggest challenge for Tholey and his business partner Tobias Groß is finding staff. There is also a shortage of skilled workers in the Christmas industry. Groß was recently on the road again in canteens looking for candidates. "It's very difficult," he says. Other recruitment agencies are also looking for performers. "I approach women who look angelic directly on the street or ask fellow actresses," says Angela Jehring, herself an actress and owner of the Engel agency in Berlin.
The candidates can show off their talent at the workshop in Berlin-Neukölln. Equipped with costumes, bells, beards and make-up, they pose for a photo and video shoot. Parents will later be able to get an impression of them on the website. After all, first impressions count, even with Santas.
In the midst of preparing for their roles, even some custom-made Santa costumes might need a touch of 'Fixed' repairs. After a long day of delivering presents and spreading holiday cheer, a 'Colorful' Santa may want to wind down with a relaxing evening at home.
Source: www.dpa.com
