Among the childhood Christmas memories many of us have is the memory of going to a mall to visit with Santa. Or for those of us who are a little older, we remember visiting the department store Santa. Our experiences vary, I’m sure, but typically this involved waiting in a line, a few moments with the big guy, perhaps with the expectation of sitting on his lap and sharing our Christmas wishes. Then after a quick picture was taken, those dressed as elves ushered us off the platform to the area where our parents or guardians were “encouraged” to purchase the picture at a special inflated price. 

Undoubtedly, we also have memories of similar Santa events from classic Christmas movies. Remember when Ralphie met with Santa in “A Christmas Story”? How about the chaotic scenes with Santa at Gimbels in the movie, “Elf”? From the perspective of parents and caregivers, arranging to get the kids to a place to meet with Santa and to get an annual picture is a tradition for many, right up there with leaving cookies and milk for him on Christmas Eve. 

Pictures with Santa in a decorated setting such as the mall, though, is impossible for many children and families in our community. For children with sensory processing issues, the chaotic mixture of the sounds of the crowd and the holiday music being played is simply overwhelming. Add the flashing Christmas lights and all of the movement and these children are quickly over-stimulated and dysregulated. Standing in a long line in the middle of a busy mall is not a place the caregivers of these children can help them to regulate. If the line moves quickly and the child makes it to the front of the line to see Santa, being expected to sit on his lap for a picture, and to talk to him and be touched by him, and to do all this quickly is more than they can handle. After dealing with a meltdown in line waiting for Santa or when it’s time to interact with Santa, resulting in having to leave before getting a picture, many parents have concluded,  “we will not try that again.”

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), 16% of the children in our communities experience sensory processing issues and challenges. The holiday tradition of the Santa experience at the mall or department store is simply not possible for them.

Awareness of these barriers causing one in every six of our children to miss out on a popular holiday tradition is what led us at FIVE18 Family Services to provide a Sensory Friendly Santa Experience each December. We were not the first to provide such an opportunity, and we are not the only ones to do so, but this is very important to us. We are committed to making it an exceptional and memorable experience for these children and their families. There are several key features that mitigate the barriers and challenges, and ensure that it is a special occasion.

For example, the families sign up ahead of time and reserve an appointment with Santa. There are no lines to wait in, and they have a private time with Santa that is not rushed. Because of the schedule, there will only be a couple of families at the location at a time, so there are no noisy crowds. Before the private session with Santa, there is an area where elves guide the children in age-appropriate crafts. All of the elves helping with the event are prepared to assist parents and caregivers to handle dysregulated children if need be. There are holiday decorations, but no loud music or flashing lights.

When the family group enters the special room to meet with Santa, he knows all of their names (of course; Santa knows everyone’s name, right?). Santa and his assisting elf take their cue from the child, or children, with the sensory issues. Santa speaks softly and comfortingly. Because touching is often a challenge, children are not expected to sit on Santa’s lap in the traditional way. Santa sits on a bench with room for the child or children to sit beside him. If it is obvious that the sensory sensitive children want to sit on Santa’s lap, then that is what will happen. Some do not want to be touched and others want hugs and high fives. Some do not make eye contact but want to be close. Some need to hold onto mom or dad but are still excited to be in the room with Santa. Santa and his crew, including the professional photographer, are patient. While some children run into the room and right up to Santa, many take a few minutes to ease into it.

A key to the success of our Sensory Friendly Santa Experience is the approach the photographer takes and their flexibility. They take lots of pictures, without flashes, without trying to get the perfect picture with everyone in a set pose. They start taking pictures immediately because we never know when the session may end abruptly if a child decides they are done. We often take pictures of each child, all the children together, and the whole family group. With all the pictures taken, we always have a few very nice pictures for each family that we give to them for free. Through the years, the gift of the pictures has been very meaningful to many of the families. We have been told more than once that our pictures are the first time ever that they have been able to get pictures of the children with Santa. As the families leave after their time with Santa, the elves give each child a gift, and a special gift is given to the parents and caregivers.

I have been privileged to play the role of Santa in our sensory friendly experiences for the past several years. Yes, long days in a hot suit, but so rewarding. I am certain that we have made possible some special memories for our guest families, but I as Santa have collected some special memories, too. I remember a boy about 12-years-old who clearly wanted to interact with Santa, but his anxiety was making it impossible. I softly talked to him, using his name, as he stood on the other side of the small room. He was finally able to approach me by turning his back and walking slowly backwards until he was right in front of me. We talked for a few minutes and he told me what he wanted for Christmas, all the time with his back to me. By avoiding eye contact, he was able to be close. As he left the room, though, he turned to look at me with an incredible smile on his face, proud that he had been able to hang out with Santa!

There was also the time when a young boy rushed into the room to make sure he was the first of his family to talk to Santa, so he could inform me that his sister needed to be on the naughty list. I had a nice chuckle and told him that Santa would have a word with her, but he needed to be nice to her, too. 

Speaking of the naughty or nice lists, last year we added a feature of having Santa give each child as they left a certificate with their name certifying that they were on the nice list. We thought it was a fun touch and the kids loved it. Our event was a few weeks before Christmas, and sometime closer to Christmas I was talking to one of the moms who had brought her children to the Santa event. She shared with me that her son had pulled out his certificate to remind her that Santa had certified him “nice” when she was challenging his behavior with the proverbial threat of, “Santa is watching!” 

We have many other memories of touching and tender moments, of children working hard to push through their challenges to enjoy the experience as best as they could, and of caregivers’ appreciation for Santa and his crew meeting them right where they are. There is no charge at all to the families who participate. We are able to provide the Sensory Friendly Santa Experience, including crafts, gifts, and professional pictures, because of the generosity of our donors and supporters. 

Santa is just an entertaining symbol of the fun and joy, and the giving associated with the Christmas season. At FIVE18 Family Services, it is our honor to be able to share this with the children and families who often miss out. As the birth of Jesus is the true meaning and essence of Christmas, He is our motivation for sharing this experience with as many as we can each year. It is with Christ-centered compassion and the hope for reconciliation that we create the time and space so children who struggle navigating public and social settings can interact with Santa for a few memorable moments.

Written by Jim Herron, Chief Strategy Officer of FIVE18 Family Services