Thinking about the Answers!
All Part of Our Preparation for those Top Questions! (Part 2 of 2)
The Question and Answer Exercise
In our last post, we presented 12 common questions or discussion topics that might come to any Santa, Mrs. Claus, or Elf. We suggested that you jot down various answers or further questions these made you consider. We also suggested that you try answering them in character with a partner, being careful to answer in Character, and try to be as sincere and considerate as possible.
Your thoughtful responses will mean a lot to your audiences. Go for the best short and concise answer that you can use. Look for these discussions to cue you for additional stories, songs, or props that you can reference.
Always be respectful and never glib or flip, no matter how old your audience. When possible, praise the person by name and make certain you engage them with good eye contact. “Why that’s an excellent question, Susie!” You can also always ask them what they think, and you can get some real insight that way.
12 Common Questions and Answers
- Are you really Santa Claus / Mrs. Claus / an Elf?
Your answer will vary, since often this question could be followed up with “Prove it!” from the person asking. I usually poke myself and say, “I feel real. You look real. Maybe I’m really here! What do you think?” - Am I on the Naughty or Nice List?
With children, we always say “the Nice List” but often include small hedges like, “we could use some work on…” and name something the parents may have suggested—like improved homework or cleaning their room or not fighting with a sibling. - What is your / their favorite cookie?
Often we ask, “What kind of cookies do YOU like?” or the standard, “The kind of cookies you make!” - Where are the reindeer? Can I see them?
My go-to answer is usually, “The reindeer are very shy, so they are waiting for me in a park nearby.” - How do the reindeer fly? How many do you have?
My reindeer have magical reindeer feed. And at last count, I have 1,172 reindeer in my herd. - What do reindeer like to eat? Do they like cookies or carrots? Who is your favorite reindeer?
This is a great lead-in to discuss how amazing reindeer are, and to use a very Dad-joke line, “Takin’ a Likin’ to some Lichen!” I also love all my reindeer, but perhaps my favorite is Zephyr who is very old and the first one who learned to fly. - Does Mrs. Claus or the Elves have their own Reindeer/Sleigh?
We have many sleighs at the North Pole. The small ones are called Zoomers. And Mrs. Claus has her own, pulled by Bouncer and Breeze. - Why does Rudolph’s nose glow?
It’s a very handy mutation, isn’t it? Rudolph absorbs magic and his special ability is that amazing nose. All my main reindeer have special abilities. - How do you deliver all those presents in one night?
Another question that could require careful answers. I typically say that I have a time-splicer. I hit the button and time speeds up for me but slows down for you. A bit of that “timey, wimey, wibbly, wobby,” if you know what I mean. Then I show them my time-splicer prop. - Do you know ________, my Elf on the Shelf?
There are so many Elves on the Shelves! Let’s see, Harvey Pickle-Nose? Oshbuck Trimbletoo? - How do you get down the chimney / get in if there is not a chimney?
This is when I use my Magic Key. There are some amazing ones available from Toys for Santa. This also an opportunity for me to use the “D-Lite” magic trick, to collect power for my Magic Key. - Will you be able to find me if I moved / am visiting Grandma, etc.?
Mrs. Claus is very good with her Magic Telescope, and she works with a team of fairies and elves, to give me the latest information. Plus, you could also send us a note if you’re concerned!
Just a side note: Probably the biggest challenge is when someone asks us to actually show them some magic. My standard response is “I’ll be honest, I have to deliver to 233 million homes. So I try use as little magic as possible until the big night. I want to make sure that you and everybody else gets their presents! Is that okay? And speaking of presents, did you want something special?”
Did this exercise challenge you? Did it lead to more questions and ideas on answers? Excellent! We hope that you will share your answers and discussions with your local community and with all of us at CPW.
And if you are on our mailing list, you’ll be receiving the 25-Question version of this article. Sign up at Newsletters.
Planning for More Studies
If you took one of our workshops this year, please remember your promise—try to get some close up footage of you performing and review it in private.
We still have a few available CPW Workshop slots open for 2019. CPW workshops only run from January to August, and we try to schedule two a month. We still have some openings during the first quarter, so please let us know!
Second, we are very interested in how our training is being used in the field, how it has helped, and what we can do make it even better. Please contact us with your ideas and suggestions. And if you have taken a CPW Workshop and think what we offer is important, please reach out to folks personally to let them know what you think.
Have an Amazing Season!
Blessings from Santa True, Cat Ellen (“Mrs. Santa True”), and all our friends at Christmas Performer Workshops (CPW)
christmasperformersworkshops.com
818-762-9075
Santa@Santatrue.com