Costumes! Costumes! Costumes!

2019…2020…2021

And yet another countdown.  This time to the end of 2020 or the beginning of 2021, whichever you prefer. We’ll talk about the cleaning and storage of Santa in a few days; but in the meantime, we have another masked ball to go to on December 31.  

Gone are the heydays of the Night Clubs and Supper Clubs and their formality of wearing tie and tails, top hat and cane, black and white, formal dress ware. Although much more informal in this new century, there are still a few costumed parties.  But it might be a little more difficult to dress in costume than at Halloween, where anything is fair game. For New Years Eve starters, there are the robed Father Times and diapered Baby New Year costumes.  A long white wig and beard, similar to Santa’s might be in order, but the scythe might be a bit dangerous to the other party goers. What happened in 2018 (events and celebrities as in who died and who did what) might be starting points for your costume, and politicians are always fair game.

Or maybe, just wear the glitz and glittered shiny cardboard hat, and have a blow tickler (aka snake blowout) handy to make a little noise at midnight.   Have fun, because in the next few days is the beginning of a new year.

For the Newbie Santa….A Few Last Minute Tips…

Your suit is ready. Your belt, boot tops, glasses and gloves are lined up, and show time is very soon.

Some children love to sit on Santa’s lap and chatter about how good they’ve been and what they want for Christmas.  Then there are those children, who love Santa from across the room or at a distance, but want nothing to do with him at a close up range. 

Don’t take it personally.  It’s not you.  It’s your persona.

And what to do about those little guys who want to tug on your beard to see if it’s real or those looking for clues as to who you really are.  From my experience, I never really let them get an angle on me where they could try to tug a beard, or look for any telltales signs that might provide them with a clue that you are not really Santa.  I sit them on my lap facing a little bit away from me, and a little more towards the audience (family, parents, whatever).  They then have to turn their face a little to the rear to see me, but their body is angled away from me so as to prevent those grabs and deeper glances. If you are a newbie, and concerned about the forthcoming interaction, your questions are probably less about the suit, and more about THE conversation.  And conversing with a 4 year old is always interesting to say the least. 

After plopping the child on my lap, I ask the usual questions such as ‘Were you a good little girl or boy?’, and ‘What would you like Santa to bring you?’ and offer a little advice on a few of their shortcomings (as provided by Mom or Dad). I might speak of my home at the North Pole or about Mrs. Santa or the Elves or the reindeer.  My needing to feed my reindeer or needing to see other children was always my exit line.

As to how to field the children’s questions?  Out of the mouths of babes come the least expected questions.  Either answer the question with a simple answer, or dazzle them with your intellect (G).  Basically brother, you’re on your own on this one.

How long should you hold the child?  Sometimes it seems like an eternity, and I’ve never been timed, but I would guess the average child is on my lap for only a couple of minutes.

Lastly, beware the Santa challenged child, though, for they might dampen thy suit.

Hmmm, maybe a backup pair of pants just in case.

We nearly forgot…..the Elves

We nearly forgot the elf costumes, or elves as they would be in plural.  Elf costumes would probably not be used at a home party because most home parties only feature Santa.  However, if your local church, or union or office is sponsoring a Christmas party, it may come replete with a cast of characters such as Mrs. Santa, Santa Belles, a reindeer or two and a snowman.   Elves (sounds like Elvis, doesn’t it?) might be in abundance as well. 

Of all the costumes, the Elf is the easiest and by far the most comfortable.  With a little imagination, you might be able to construct one at home; as all it requires is a pair of tights (well, you might not have tights at home), a tunic, hat, cord, and something to cover the shoes.  

OK, maybe this post is a little late for this year, but you might consider this for your various parties next year. Make a note.

Santa Belles, Miss Santas

They were called Santa Belles, and now sometimes called Miss Santa’s, but either way, they were are the young ladies who assist Santa in handing out the Christmas gifts.  Short, sexy, cute outfits that young girls wear as they are assisting Santa in handing out gifts.   

The key was that the Santa Belles wore dresses that were knee length, maybe an inch or so higher or an inch or so lower.  This was the optimum length so as to not offend anyone, long enough for modesty, and yet short enough so as to catch the eye of Dad. Or Grandad.  Or Great Granddad.

Always red in color, and made of various fabrics, but always trimmed in the same white plush that trimmed Santa’s outfit.  Around the neckline, and cuffs, and often times around the hem of the skirt. 

Our Santa Belle outfits (when I had a shop) had white boot tops to match the trimming, and either white or red tights so as to not show any flesh, but still have appeal.

Perhaps a white plush fur beret, or maybe a white plush barrette, or maybe an entirely different kind of hat or cap topped off the outfit.

SANTA’S GLOVES AND GLASSES AND OTHER ACCESSORIES

What about the final touches for your Santa Claus costume, and what do 5 years olds look for when they are sitting on Santa’s lap?  Hopefully they will not recognize your ring or watch or glasses or shoes; but those little problems can be covered.  

“>