Santa Claus Arizona – Even St. Nick goes to Santa school
Mark Brenneman, a retired school teacher, has been playing Santa for 43 years. Brenneman operates Santa Claus and Company, directing a grop of about 15 Santas, four Mrs. Claus’ and five to nine elves.
(Photo: Cheryl Evans/The Republic)
Santa Claus seems to be everywhere this time of year — at the mall, the zoo, at company functions, holiday parties and elsewhere. There must be more than one.
Of course there is, “but remember I can be anywhere in the blink of an eye,” says Chandler resident Mark Brenneman, who for 43 years has played the role of jolly St. Nick to the delight of children and parents alike. He’s everything you would expect from a classic Santa Claus: A full, white beard, wire-rim glasses, impeccable red and white suit, broad smile and warm aura.
“Santa Claus is in the heart,” says Brenneman, who also operates Santa Claus and Company, a Tempe-based provider of all things Santa, including Mrs. Claus and elves. “You have to have a love for Christmas and peace and for everyone you meet, regardless of their background and economic status.”
“It’s of the heart,” he says.
Brenneman directs a group of about 15 Santas, four Mrs. Clauses and five to nine elves, he says, who make 400-600 appearances between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“We don’t go to the mall. Our Santas do special events like the tree-lighting ceremony at Anthem, ZooLights and photography, guest appearances with The Dickens Carolers (of Scottsdale), special engagements and breakfast with Santa,” he says. “We do a lot of the resorts and last year we made 65 in-home visits.”
Mark Brenneman, of Chandler, has been playing Santa for 43 years. It all started when he was a school teacher in 1972 and a kindergartener tugged on his beard. November 28, 2015. Cheryl Evans/The Republic
So what does it take to join this merry band? After an initial interview and background check, Brenneman holds a one-day training session, where everything from etiquette to personal grooming and income reporting is covered.
“We deal with it as a round-table meeting, where experienced Santas mentor new ones, all to create that picture that everyone expects Santa to be,” he says. But there’s also the business of being Santa like when to call the customer for an in-home visit, scheduling issues, making sure hands are always visible, and practicing stories and songs like “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” “Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
Training ensures a memorable experience for families, says Jason Edberg of WorldWide Photography of Cypress, Texas. The company is best-known for school portraits, but also provides more than 5,000 Kris Kringles, elves and photographers to hundreds of malls across the country, including 11 in metro Phoenix.
“All of the staff undergo training, in-person, online and follow-up training as the year progresses,” Edberg says, and explains that to be a successful Santa, the company looks for candidates that display “a genuine heart with authentic care for all the children of the world who love to sit with Santa and share their wishes for Christmas.”
Authenticity and keeping to the story of Santa Claus appears to be central.
“From personal experience, I can see when children visit the set when Santa is away from the mall checking on ‘toy production,’ they ask their parents if Santa is here, and are disappointed when he has not yet arrived,” Edberg says. “Conversely, I also get to see when a child is dragging their mother or father to the set exclaiming ‘Santa! It’s Santa!’ and Santa is available to listen to wishes, provide smiles and hugs throughout the holiday season.”
Rebecca Brunell of Arizona Mills mall in Tempe, echos the enthusiasm.
“One of the great traditions of holiday shopping is the annual family visit to (Santa Claus)” and to have their photo taken, she says. “I know Santa can’t wait to greet children bringing him their holiday wishes.”
Simon malls didn’t disclose training methods, but stressed that Santa is part of a larger holiday experience, such as “Cookies & Cocoa with Mrs. Claus” noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6; “The Dickens Carolers” noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 in the food court; a Salvation Army Angel Tree, where customers can buy a gift for disadvantaged youths; and other events throughout the season.
These experiences and time with Santa hinge on the passionate individual employees and careful preparation, says Brenneman, who says he and his gaggle of Santas again expect to make 60-plus in-home visits on Christmas Eve, at a clip of 15 to 20 minutes each. Parents fork out $100 for that nugget of time so their tots may make their holiday wish to Santa, sing a song and give St. Nick his cookies and milk, usually to-go.
Thank goodness, Brenneman says with a hearty laugh. That’s a lot of cookies.
Article originally appeared on www.azcentral.com
Check out Chandler’s Tumbleweed Snowman
Are you looking to check out something different this Holiday Season. Southern Arizona celebrates our Christmas a little different here in the desert, the city of Chandler isn’t stopping their celebration just because there are no flakes on the ground.
Every year the City of Chandler erects our Tumbleweed Snowman to help set the holiday season off right, next to the swaying palm trees.
Almost 1,000 tumbleweeds, 1200 lights and 65-pounds of glitter are used to construct this 25-foot tall Arizona-style Christmas tree.
Check out the video Channel 12 did locally of the setup of the snowman.
Southern Arizona isn't known for snow, but that hasn't stopped the city of Chandler from having a White Christmas. MORE: http://12ne.ws/1Ql3w2s
This annual holiday tradition began in 1957 when residents gathered tumbleweeds from around town, according to Chandler’s Jim Phipps.
The tumbleweed tree will be on display through the holidays.RELATED: Tumbleweed snowman is an itchy, scratchy Southwest tradition
Founder of Santa Claus and Company Has Died After Battle With Cancer
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Santa J. Paul Raines, founder of Santa Claus and Company, a founding member of the Santa America International Advisory Council, Director of International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, member of International Santa Claus Hall of Fame, and may other distinctions, has died after a brief battle with cancer. Santa Paul was truly Claus himself!
For over 40 years, Santa Paul has been delighting children of all ages with his warmth, sincerity and charm. The many families he has touched have fond memories that last a lifetime.
Paul was a mentor to many a Santa the world over. We will miss his advise, instruction and friendship. The University of the North Pole, developed and taught by Santa Paul, will not be the same.
A memorial service is planned for 10:00 am, Saturday, February 7, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Scottsdale, 7025 East Osborn Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, (480) 945-6346.
Rest in peace, Santa Paul…
Santa Mark Brenneman, Owner
Santa Claus and Company
Santa’s Workshop
Santa has been busy working in his workshop making toys for all the boys and girls out there.
So what does it take to join this merry band? After an initial interview and background check, Brenneman holds a one-day training session, where everything from etiquette to personal grooming and income reporting is covered.
“We deal with it as a round-table meeting, where experienced Santas mentor new ones, all to create that picture that everyone expects Santa to be,” he says. But there’s also the business of being Santa like when to call the customer for an in-home visit, scheduling issues, making sure hands are always visible, and practicing stories and songs like “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” “Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
Training ensures a memorable experience for families, says Jason Edberg of WorldWide Photography of Cypress, Texas. The company is best-known for school portraits, but also provides more than 5,000 Kris Kringles, elves and photographers to hundreds of malls across the country, including 11 in metro Phoenix.
“All of the staff undergo training, in-person, online and follow-up training as the year progresses,” Edberg says, and explains that to be a successful Santa, the company looks for candidates that display “a genuine heart with authentic care for all the children of the world who love to sit with Santa and share their wishes for Christmas.”
Authenticity and keeping to the story of Santa Claus appears to be central.
“From personal experience, I can see when children visit the set when Santa is away from the mall checking on ‘toy production,’ they ask their parents if Santa is here, and are disappointed when he has not yet arrived,” Edberg says. “Conversely, I also get to see when a child is dragging their mother or father to the set exclaiming ‘Santa! It’s Santa!’ and Santa is available to listen to wishes, provide smiles and hugs throughout the holiday season.”
Rebecca Brunell of Arizona Mills mall in Tempe, echos the enthusiasm.
“One of the great traditions of holiday shopping is the annual family visit to (Santa Claus)” and to have their photo taken, she says. “I know Santa can’t wait to greet children bringing him their holiday wishes.”
Simon malls didn’t disclose training methods, but stressed that Santa is part of a larger holiday experience, such as “Cookies & Cocoa with Mrs. Claus” noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6; “The Dickens Carolers” noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 in the food court; a Salvation Army Angel Tree, where customers can buy a gift for disadvantaged youths; and other events throughout the season.
These experiences and time with Santa hinge on the passionate individual employees and careful preparation, says Brenneman, who says he and his gaggle of Santas again expect to make 60-plus in-home visits on Christmas Eve, at a clip of 15 to 20 minutes each. Parents fork out $100 for that nugget of time so their tots may make their holiday wish to Santa, sing a song and give St. Nick his cookies and milk, usually to-go.
Thank goodness, Brenneman says with a hearty laugh. That’s a lot of cookies.
Article originally appeared on www.azcentral.com 
It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Santa J. Paul Raines, founder of Santa Claus and Company, a founding member of the Santa America International Advisory Council, Director of International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, member of International Santa Claus Hall of Fame, and may other distinctions, has died after a brief battle with cancer. Santa Paul was truly Claus himself!
For over 40 years, Santa Paul has been delighting children of all ages with his warmth, sincerity and charm. The many families he has touched have fond memories that last a lifetime.
Paul was a mentor to many a Santa the world over. We will miss his advise, instruction and friendship. The University of the North Pole, developed and taught by Santa Paul, will not be the same.
A memorial service is planned for 10:00 am, Saturday, February 7, 2015 at First Baptist Church of Scottsdale, 7025 East Osborn Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, (480) 945-6346.
Rest in peace, Santa Paul…
Santa Mark Brenneman, Owner
Santa Claus and Company 
Santa has been busy working in his workshop making toys for all the boys and girls out there.