Hello <<First Name>>:
Happy Holidays to all of our Santa Nana Family
Clauses are now filling up their calendars with events, both in-person and virtual, and we hear the sounds of joy as families and clients are finding their way to celebrate the holidays. If we learned anything from the past year, we know that each day is a gift, and that Clauses are incredibly adaptable and can find creative ways to visit with children to share the spirit of the season. As we put the final touches on our suits and accessories and performances before the season gets into full swing, it is also a good time to put some final touches on our Claus character.
Let's talk a bit about your "Character on the Inside." In class, character and backstory are significant parts of the program, helping you to hone in what it truly means to be Claus. We talk about the attributes of Claus, and encourage you to build a backstory that, just as in our personal lives, creates and shapes the Claus you now portray, or are working to portray.
Here’s an exercise for you. Take a piece of paper and draw two columns. On the left, title “ATTRIBUTES THAT BUILD CHARACTER” and on the right, title “ATTRIBUTES THAT BUST CHARACTER.” Make a list of all the characteristics you can think of that either build or bust a fabulous Claus personality. Some examples might be:
Build Character – benevolent, magical, kind, gentle, trustworthy, generous, etc.
Bust Character – spreading rumors, cheating or stealing, using profanity, disparaging others, etc.
Once you’ve made your list, circle the top three attributes you feel are most important to your Claus portrayal, or those that are most likely to hurt. Keeping those attributes in mind will help you exhibit those positive characteristics, and that is what children, families, and clients will see.
Creating a backstory can be a lot of work, but a lot of fun. Spend some time exploring some of these elements of your Claus history.
- What was your childhood like? Things like when you were born, where you grew up, your parents or siblings.
- How did you meet your spouse? How did Santa and Mrs. Claus meet and what was the wedding like?
- What do you do on a typical day at the North Pole? Write a Day in the Life to really get into the details of how you spend your North Pole time.
- What is life like at the North Pole? Your hobbies, pets, home, or your favorite movies. Visualize your North Pole life and be able to paint that picture during your visits.
- What of your own personal background can you intertwine with your Claus background?
If you work with a partner, be sure to review your backstories ahead of the event. The most important thing – be yourself. Be genuine and real. Be the Claus you were always meant to portray.
Our beloved and fabulous Santa Nana loved all holidays (that's why she named it Holiday University and not Christmas University), and so we acknowledge two significant holidays in November. You might be interested in learning more about them should your visits include different faiths and cultures. Imagine the delight of a child or parent when you can share the highlights of their important holidays and celebrations.
From Santa Nana’s Holiday University, we wish you the best season, and know you will be the one to create precious memories for the children and families you visit.
Best regards,
Deanna and Judi
p.s. Please follow us on Facebook and our website as we announce our 2022 Calendar. Links are below.
“You are in integrity when the life you are living on the outside matches who you are on the inside.” ~ Alan Cohen
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