top of page
Santa's Workshop.jpg

SANTA CLAUS IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA

I have had to modernize my operations. The world has more and more people and more and more children, so many in fact I have had to add district offices. One of my favorite offices I have set up is right here in Southeast Oklahoma near the city of McAlester. Now I cannot tell you exactly where, because if I did visitors would be knocking at the door day and night, my helpers and I would never get our work done on schedule and I would not get to your house on time. Please browse the rest of my site, and let me know if you have any questions. Tell your Mother, Father, Aunt, Uncle, Grandparent or Guardian about this website and have them contact me for a personal visit. Do it before Christmas because I get very busy the month of December.

Santa assembles toy.png

Receive A Personal Visit From Santa

Find Out More

It seems like such a long time ago that I began wearing "The Red Suit", but over the years since it has became part of my very being. 
You will BELIEVE this is the real Santa Claus of your own childhood. Bringing the legend to life, no one else does it like Santa Jim. He will answer your questions about his life and convince you that you are correct to Believe in Santa. Santa "Jim" Claus can give detailed interviews about his life on TV, Radio, and to YOUR CHILDREN that will really impress. If you want to make a great memory for your family contact Santa for a personal visit.

13 Secretes to a Fun Santa Visit

13 Secrets to a fun Visit with Santa


By Santa Tim Connaghan

©Copyright 2009, RealSantas.com


Helpful information from Santa, to make your trip and visit to Santa a lot easier, more fun and possibly more rewarding.

The annual trip to visit Santa is often a very special occasion for many families.  For some it is a ritual with traditions.  For other families, it is just a fun day to go shopping and visit with an old friend who just happens to have a white beard and wear a red suit.  In any case I hope your visit to me is fun, enjoyable and memorable.  —  Santa

 It’s that time of year Again!  Millions of Americans and their children will be making their way to their favorite mall to obtain that treasured, annual photo with Santa.  For many this activity is a wonderful and fun-filled experience.  For others, it can be a terrifying and stressful disaster. 

To help you make your visit one of those wonderful events, here are four key things to consider, plus a few helpful suggestions to make your experience a great success, and your trip to visit Santa a wonderful experience.

  1. Prepare your child/children for their visit with Santa.  A visit with Santa Claus can be quite scary for a small child.  Not only is the concept of there actually being a Santa Claus hard for toddlers and babies to grasp, but they are also very attached to Mommy and Daddy.  Not to mention, Santa Claus can be a bit scary looking at first. In preparing to visit Santa Claus, read some books to your child about Santa. Let them see pictures of Santa, or watch a cartoon about Santa and his Reindeer.

  2. When getting your children ready, try to make it a fun activity.  If they are having fun, the photos will be more natural and much better.  Getting a photo with Santa is sometimes like getting a photo with your favorite cartoon character at a theme park.  It should be fun.

  3. Don’t force your child to wear something they don’t like.  This will just put them in a bad mood and it will show in the photo.  Yes, we know that your photos may be for grandma, or possibly for use on your Christmas card, so you really do want your children dressed nicely.  But, try to make it fun when selecting what to wear.

  4. Before you leave the house, Santa recommends that you take along a few extra items.  No matter how hard you try, children are always going to get a little mussed-up or dirty when going anywhere.  So you might want to bring along one or more of the following items: a comb and brush; hairspray; wet-naps or moist towelettes; bobby pins or barrettes for long hair.  We know that most parents are usually very good at keeping their children clean.  But, in a hectic event like this, kids can surprise all of us.

  5. Give yourself plenty of time.  Trying to rush creates tension and leads to stress.  Set aside an entire morning or afternoon to make your trip to Santa, and maybe do some family shopping or sight seeing.  When you have plenty of time, long lines and crowds are much easier to cope with.

  6. Before you get in line, let your children observe how other children are standing in line. Point out the area where Santa is sitting.  This way, they are not surprised when they actually get in line and eventually get to the front. This will also let you watch your your child and read their body language. – to see if they are ready, emotionally.
    When it is time for pictures with Santa Claus, if your child is too scared, you might want to consider a group photo with you holding your child or having your child stand next to Santa.

  7. The Introduction. The helper or assistant will sometimes greet the children and then escort and introduce them up to Santa.  Other times, especially with children 4 and older, the parent may escort their own children to Santa.  If you get this opportunity, be informal and when you get to Santa, introduce each of your children to Santa by saying, “Santa, here are Jamie and Susan.”  This is a wonderful way of breaking the ice and getting off to a good start.

  8. Say hello to Santa First, Maybe shake hand.  There is nothing wrong with a parent starting the visit with a hello to Santa, maybe even a little hand shake.  Sometimes a child seeing their parent and Santa as friends, helps the child to relax.

  9. Do not anticipate that your baby or child should be afraid or scared of Santa Claus . . . or they will be.  Children are very good at sensing their parent’s feelings. If you are afraid or nervous, your baby will pick up on that, and react by crying or refusing to see Santa Claus.   

  10. Parents should always take their children up to Santa.  If you have a baby or toddler you should carefull plave the child in Santa’s arms.   newborn to six month old baby,  they should take the baby up to Santa. Seat any other children in your family first and then give the baby to Santa last.  Then let the photographer take the photos.  After the photo is taken, you can remove the baby and Santa can talk with the other children.

  11. The best photos are taken in the first five to ten seconds.  Help Santa seat your children and then quickly back out of the photo area.   After the photo, Santa can talk to the children.One other suggestion for infants and babies, always place the baby or infant in Santa Claus’ lap. Never let Santa take the baby from you. It is always better if Mommy or Daddy places the child into Santa’s arms.

Finally I want to tell you about one more thing a Parent can do that will not only prepare their children for a visit with Santa, but accomplish a very worthwhile deed:

  1. Teach your children some customs or meanings of Santa Claus and Christmas.  Talk to your children about Santa and what he represents.  While driving to see Santa, or while waiting in line, talk to you children about what Santa means.  Simply stated, Santa represents, love, and joy and giving.  The Christian traditions and meanings can also be introduced here, with the history of St. Nicholas. Whether you are Christian or not, you can tell your children that Christmas is not just a time for getting, but really a time for giving.

  2. Teach them about secret giving.  Ask them if they know someone they could give something to.  Much of the tradition of Santa Claus and Saint Nicholas was the wonderment of “secret giving.”  There is something wonderful about giving someone a gift and them not knowing who the giver is.  Would they like to give something secretly?

  3. Your trip to Santa could include shopping for some cards or gifts that your children can give to others.  Introduce them to the joys of giving and secret giving.  Who knows, the gift of joy they receive may be larger than the gift they give.   And maybe, someday, they will thank you.

  4. If your child is afraid of Santa, never force them to sit on Santa’s lap.  This can be a very traumatic experience.  Taking a photo with a scared child takes teamwork between, the family, Santa’s helpers, Santa and the Photographer.  If the child is a toddler, hold them facing you, with the child’s back to Santa.  Talk and chat with your toddler, distracting him or her from Santa as you walk up to Santa.  Then quickly set the child in Santa’s lap and quickly back out of the photo area while keeping your toddler’s attention with whistles, shouts, or whatever action to distract them from the fact that they are sitting in Santa’s lap.  The photographer can then quickly take the photo.  If the child is older, but still afraid, sometimes Santa can let them sit in his chair (sometimes with mommy or daddy) and the photographer can then take the photo.  Sometimes Santa will try to sneak into the photo, behind the family.  And, iof you have more than one child in the photo, seat the older children first.  Younger or nervous children may see that Santa is not a threat to the older kids and my decide to finally sit with Santa.

  5. If your child is has a wet bottom, or somehow their face and hands are covered with candy or food, let Santa and his helpers know.  Young children and babies often have no control, or are nervous, and will surprise all of us.  And, if Santa’s suit gets wet or soiled, or a sticky hand gets stuck in Santa’s beard, everything has to stop while he changes or cleans up.  If your child face needs a change or a little touch up, ask Santa’s helper if you can pass on your photo until you’ve cleaned up.   The helpers and photographer should give you the courtesy to come back to the front of the line when you are ready.

  6. If you have your own camera, mention to the helper or assistant that you want to take one or two of your own photos.  Most malls will allow one or two additional photos after the mall photographer takes their photo and while your child or children are talking to Santa.  Usually this photo can be taken from the side.  Never walk in front of the Professional photographer unannounced.  And you may want to turn your flash off and use the available lighting.  Most professional Santa Sets have special Flash units that go off no matter who’s flash is being used.  If these large flash units go off when you are taking a photo, the result may be a white or overexposed photo.

  7. Remember, there are other families waiting in line.  Allow the photographer to take his or her photos first.  Then, while your child or children talk with Santa, you can take one or two additional photos.  (If the line is short, and Santa has time, you might be able to take a few more photos if needed. But, always remember that others may be waiting in line.)

  8. Everyone should try to have fun.  There is no use worrying about anything.  Sometimes getting a photo with Santa involves a hot day, long lines and lots of crying babies and noisy children.  And, if you are prepared for this, then anything less is a breeze!

  Handy Hints for a Home Visit from Santa

If you have scheduled a home visit with Santa Jim in your home to check Santa’s List or a party*, thank you. To help you in making Santa’s visit a most enjoyable event, I have prepared the following list of suggestions:


1. Have your camera/s ready. Be sure to have all the video cards, thumb drives, film, videotape and batteries necessary to take the photos you want, or need to get. Be sure all batteries are charged.


2. Reserve a special parking place for Santa. It should be as close as possible to where he is visiting. Santa is a senior citizen and needs to park directly in front or next to the house or party location. He cannot park down the street or in a parking garage & hike to your location,. He will be winded or exhausted, when he gets there. If at a home, a car could back down the driveway a little, leaving a space in front of the car. When Santa arrives the host or designated representative could pull the car up and Santa parks behind it. Or, put a temporary barrier in the space reserved for Santa. Use a box, a chair or a sawhorse. Have some fun with it; put a sign out “Reserved for Santa!” If your event is at a company facility, office building or hotel, try to make arrangements for Santa to park in a valet or loading area. This makes it easier for him to be fresh and ready to bring joy to your guests.


3. A host or host representative should meet Santa when he arrives: to assist him; to show him where to park; to help load any presents into his special “Santa” bag; and to escort him to the location of the event. If there is a balance or payment due to Santa, place it inside a Christmas card or envelope. Never give Santa money in front of the Children. It can ruin the magic of the moment. The host or coordinator meeting Santa outside should take care of any final payments that are due, before Santa enters.


4. Have your gifts ready. Santa normally does not bring any candy canes or gifts with him, however this should be agreed to beforehand. He will hand out your candy and gifts and can carry in one bag of presents for children or guests, about 40 pounds. Presents should be well labeled. I suggest a large black marking pen and writing directly on the gift, as tags can easily fall off. All packages should fit into one 35-gallon trash bag. He will transfer the gifts to his “official” Santa Bag. If you have more than one bag, check with Santa and see if there is a way to have the gifts near his chair before he arrives or if there is a way for you to have “helpers” to bring the extra gifts in after he enters.


5. Get everyone together, before Santa enters. Timing is everything for a Santa Visit. You have scheduled Santa for a set amount of time, which begins the minute he arrives, including time in the yard waiting. Unless otherwise arranged, he will not be able to stay longer than he has been booked for. If everyone is scattered around the house or office, you lose valuable time. Santa and you can coordinate. He should call you when he is five minutes away from arriving. That’s your cue to get everyone together, maybe to sing some Christmas Carols, and to have someone go outside to meet Santa. Then, at the right moment the host enters and gets all the children singing “Jingle Bells!” Santa will then pop-in and joins everyone in their singing. If you have a large group of children to see Santa, you should assign someone to be Santa’s helper, and to hand him the presents.


6. Have a sturdy chair for Santa to sit in. Folding chairs and low chairs (the one’s you sink into) are not good. Santa usually likes a chair that is sturdy and stable. A good straight-back dining chair, with no arms, works well. He should be able to sit comfortably and the chair needs to support him plus a child on each knee.


8. Place the Chair near your Christmas tree or in a holiday setting. Your photos will have more impact when the background has a festive look. Place a wreath, a few Christmas cards or your children’s drawings on the wall to make a wonderful difference. Leave a foot or two between the chair and the tree or wall. This will allow room for others to gather around and behind Santa’s chair for group photos. Fireplaces do look nice but remember putting Santa too close to a real fire is not good for his comfort or health!


9. Think about photos with everyone. Yes, some teenagers might think it is too childish, to have a photo with Santa. Don’t worry; Santa can stand up for a “buddy” photo. What about grandma and grandpa? Take a photo with Santa and Grandma Hugging. And Santa can take group photos with all the ladies or a “Team” photo with the guys.


10.  Santa loves “Selfies!” More photos of Santa show up on Facebook than almost any other celebrity.


* There is a different set of rules for a “Catch Santa Visit” on Christmas Eve.

reindeerbarn.jpg

Reindeer Barn at the North Pole

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Handy Hints for “Catch Santa Visits”


Catch Santa Visits are special times that take team work and planning. Santa visits while your children sleep on Christmas Eve. What a memorable and enchanting surprise for them to wake up and catch Santa leaving gifts for them. Santa will act surprised and exclaim “I’m caught again, well this happens sometime!” The he will play and talk with the children pose for caught pose for photographs. Then there are two options open for the parents.


Option 1: Santa can help send the children to bed saying, “I’ll come back with a big surprise later when you are asleep, but you have to be asleep.” Good luck getting them to sleep.


Option 2: Santa cannot leave any gifts except what had already came out of his bag. He will state, “I never leave gifts when the children are awake so I’ll return when you are fast asleep.”


 Only six "Caught" visits are available between 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. (20 minutes)


Hints For a Good Visit:  


1. Always address Santa as Santa! Don’t spoil the magic of the event. Even if you know his real name, call him Santa.


2. Everyone is part of a team. From Santa, to the parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, EVERYONE, everyone is a member of a team and teamwork can make or break a Catch Visit. Everyone must act surprised.


3. Know where everything is.  Have the cameras ready.


4. Santa is wearing a very warm suit, it might be good to have some bottled water available to quench his thirst and keep him cool.


5. Have the Santa reward in an envelope and give it to Santa out of view of the children. Do not spoil the magic.

Reindeer caught.png

Reindeer Caught on Police Officers Dash Camera – They almost hit us!

Handy Hints for “Catch Santa Visits”


Catch Santa Visits are special times that take team work and planning. Santa visits while your children sleep on Christmas Eve. What a memorable and enchanting surprise for them to wake up and catch Santa leaving gifts for them. Santa will act surprised and exclaim “I’m caught again, well this happens sometime!” The he will play and talk with the children pose for caught pose for photographs. Then there are two options open for the parents.


Option 1: Santa can help send the children to bed saying, “I’ll come back with a big surprise later when you are asleep, but you have to be asleep.” Good luck getting them to sleep.


Option 2: Santa cannot leave any gifts except what had already came out of his bag. He will state, “I never leave gifts when the children are awake so I’ll return when you are fast asleep.”


 Only six "Caught" visits are available between 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. (20 minutes)


Hints For a Good Visit:  


1. Always address Santa as Santa! Don’t spoil the magic of the event. Even if you know his real name, call him Santa.


2. Everyone is part of a team. From Santa, to the parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, EVERYONE, everyone is a member of a team and teamwork can make or break a Catch Visit. Everyone must act surprised.


3. Know where everything is.  Have the cameras ready.


4. Santa is wearing a very warm suit, it might be good to have some bottled water available to quench his thirst and keep him cool.


5. Have the Santa reward in an envelope and give it to Santa out of view of the children. Do not spoil the magic.


North pole signs.jpg

The Workshop is Under the Ice

Handy Hints for a Visit from Santa

To a Corporate/Employees Only Party

To help you in making Santa’s visit a most enjoyable event, I have prepared the following list of suggestions for your Corporate Party.


1. Have your camera/s ready. Be sure to have all the video cards, thumb drives, film, videotape and batteries necessary to take the photos you want, or need to get. Be sure all batteries are charged.


2. Reserve a special parking place for Santa. It should be as close as possible to where he is visiting. Santa is a senior citizen and needs to park directly in front or next to the house or party location. He cannot park down the street or in a parking garage & hike to your location,. He will be winded or exhausted, when he gets there. If at a home, a car could back down the driveway a little, leaving a space in front of the car. When Santa arrives the host could pull the car up and Santa parks behind it. Or, put a temporary barrier in the space reserved for Santa. Use a box, a chair or a sawhorse. Have some fun; put a sign out “Reserved for Santa!” If your event is at a company facility, office building or hotel, try to make arrangements for Santa to park in a valet or loading area. This makes it easier for him to be fresh and ready to bring joy to your guests.


3. A host should meet Santa when he arrives: to assist him; to show him where to park; to help load any presents into his special “Santa” bag; and to escort him to the location of the event. If there is a balance or payment due to Santa, place it inside a Christmas card or envelope. Never give Santa money in front of the Children. It can ruin the magic of the moment. The host or coordinator meeting Santa outside should take care of any final payments that are due, before Santa enters.


4. Welcoming the Guests is probably one of the best ways to use Santa at a corporate, or all-employee, event. Santa can be at the entrance to your event, just past your registration or check-in table. He can officially welcome everyone to the party and invite them to have a picture taken at that time. This is the best time to take photos of the employees and guests as everyone is arriving and looking their best. Once the event gets going, the room will warm up and if there is dancing, it will really warm up. The men will start removing their jackets, hair-dos start to fall, etc. If you are not planning a photographer, Santa can still greet your guests, and most of them always have a camera or a camera phone.


5. If food and/or alcohol is being served Santa will not participate. Santa is a member of “Legendary Beings” and as such must be above partaking in such mortal things. Santa will also not talk about politics. Politics are completely off Santa’s talk list. Religion, Santa will tell the story of how he went from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus and many answers involve the Christian religion, such as his suit is the color of a Bishop’s robes and the color red and white also have a Christian origin, so do not ask and Santa will not explain the Christian influences of his being, but if ask Santa will explain them. Santa is a Christian and will not debate that issue either, only explain why according to the Saint Nicholas/Santa Claus Legend.

    

5. Have a sturdy chair for Santa to sit in. Folding chairs and low chairs (the one’s you sink into) are not good. Santa usually likes a chair that is sturdy and stable. A good straight-back dining chair, with no arms, works well. He should be able to sit comfortably and the chair needs to support him plus a person on each knee. And please no executive chairs with wheels!


6. Place the Chair near your Christmas tree or in a holiday setting. Your photos will have more impact when the background has a festive look. Place a wreath, a few Christmas cards or employees children’s drawings on the wall to make a wonderful difference. Leave a foot or two between the chair and the tree or wall. This will allow room for others to gather around and behind Santa’s chair for group photos. Fireplaces do look nice but remember putting Santa too close to a real fire is not good for his comfort or health!


7. Santa can mingle and visit tables, after all of the guests arrive and if there is any time left for the period you have booked him. He generally goes from table to table to say hello and to pose for group photos, etc.


8. Think about photos with everyone. Yes, some adults might think it is too childish, to have a photo with Santa. Don’t worry; Santa can stand up for a “buddy” photo. What about the seniors attending the party? Take a photo with Santa and Grandma Hugging! Santa has taken pictures with newborns and those in their nineties and a few over 100.


9. Santa can take group photos with all the ladies or a “Team” photo with the guys.


10 Santa loves “Selfies!” More photos of Santa show up on Facebook more than any other celebrity.

Santa getting his 2017 flight physical.jpg

Santa getting his annual flight physical

SANTA  VISITS  IN  YOUR  HOME

Santa home visits are nothing new, Saint Nicholas of Myra who became our Santa Clause has been visiting people in their homes for as long, well since around 300 A.D. when he visited the daughters of Shem. Santa J in SE Oklahoma offers has two (2) Christmas Home visit programs. Each visits run $50.  

  1. Checking List Program:  Santa has to check his list one last time before his nightly ride and delivering of presents. This program can have Santa visit any time before Christmas Eve. Santa will come in with his list and announce he is looking for the names of the children provided. He will visit and tell the child he is just making one last check of his Naughty and Nice List. If names are provided at least 3 days in advance the child will receive a Nice Certificate from Santa. Santa will pose for pictures and explain he will be back during the night while they sleep. Visit last 30 to 45 minutes.

  2. Caught: Santa will coordinate with the parents (grandparents or other adult) a location to meet before entering the home. Toys and gifts should have names clearly labeled where Santa can read them without his glasses. The gifts that are a suitable size will go into Santa’s bag. The responsible adult will explain how they what items placed under the tree. Santa will go to work and while Santa is placing toys and gifts under the tree the adult will bring the child or children to peek at Santa working. Then the adult turns on the lights and Santa is “CAUGHT.” Santa exclaims that, “this happens every now and again.” Santa will laugh and then hand out the gifts he has in his bag. It is the adult’s option, but must be agreed to beforehand that Santa will continue or tell the child (children) he will be back later when they are asleep. Santa will pose for pictures or candid pictures of Santa working may be taken. Visit last 20 to 30 minutes.

  Most “Caught” visits take place between five and nine o’clock P.M. however “Checking List Visits” may take place any time before noon on Christmas Eve. Santa will give you a call before he knocks on the door.so a good phone number is required. Think of the memories the children will have seeing Santa in their home. Think how “Catching Santa” will change the mind of that doubter. Meeting with Santa in their home, is a great way to keep the kids on their best behavior and is something most children will never be able to forget even after becoming an adult.

                                                                                                                                       Call Santa Jim for more details at ((918) 916-2721

                                                                         Email: Santa.C@Planetmail.com

P.S. To maintain the magic of Christmas please place Santa’s compensation in an envelope

Please answer the following questions and mail or email them to Santa Jim:

       Santa Jim, 20 Quail Court, McAlester, OK 74501

       Email: Santa.C@Planetmail.com            PH (918) 916-2721


  1. Program: 

    Santa Visit (before Christmas Eve) ________________

    Caught Santa (Limited to 6 Christmas Eve Visits)_____________


  1. Time and date desired: December __________ at ________________


  2. Where is the location: _______________________________________


  3. Is anything SPECIAL expected of Santa? __________________________


  4. Is Santa expected to furnish anything (Naughty or Nice Certificate(s))?_____


  5. Name of Adult Point of Contact _________________________________


  6. Phone Number of Contact ______________________________________


  7. Name of Child (Children) ________________________________________


           *Santa Jim also does Christmas Party Visits and Office Party Visits ($50 hr)

         Santa Jim is Insured and Bonded through Nationwide Santas, Member #R621. Santa Jim is also a member in good standings for 2017 with the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS). He is a professional Santa with 47 years’ experience being Santa doing Malls, Parades, Cooperate Parties, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Toy Drives, Food Kitchens, Television, Radio, and Home Visits.    

Email Santa Jim at Santa.C@planetmail.com

Or Call Santa Jim on his Cell Phone at (918) 916-2721


He is Southeast Oklahoma’s Most Popular Santa.


He starts taking reservations in August for December and in February for Summer Santa Events.

Santa Jim is unavailable one week in April and one week in October. Even Santa must attend school to keep up with new technology and new toys.  

Contact

I am checking my list twice I'm going to find out if you are Naughty or Nice. To contact me  use the form below.

(918) 916-2721

  • Facebook

Thanks for submitting!

Santa List 1.png

Subscribe Form

Stay up to date

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page