Here Comes Santa Claus
Dan Crouse, upon first glance, doesn’t look much like Santa Claus. While his build is similar, he doesn’t have white, curly hair or a long beard and his cheeks aren’t any rosier than anyone else’s. Looking a little deeper, though, Crouse has something special, a twinkle in his eyes resembling dear old Kris Kringle himself.
Dan Crouse is a Santa for hire… when the real Santa is too busy, that is.
Four years ago, Crouse’s niece, a music director for an elementary school in northwest Missouri, was in need of a Santa for a Christmas concert. Thinking it sounded like fun, Crouse called around and found a Santa suit from a Santa for hire in Stanton he could borrow.
The concert went so well Crouse, along with the help of his wife Karen, who later joined him as Mrs. Claus, decided he wanted to play Santa more often. He then had his own suit made by the same person he borrowed the original one from and started handing out flyers to friends, coworkers and businesses around town.
Upon request, the substitute Mr. and Mrs. Claus will travel to homes and business to bring Christmas cheer while the real Santa busies himself up North. After doing it so many times, the Crouses have a pretty solid routine lined out. They will contact families in advance to pick up presents to deliver. Once at the house, they will read to the children and sing Christmas carols, which Dan said sets them apart from most Santas for hire, who tend to just drop off presents and leave.
Dan added in a small community, a Santa can be much more personal compared to the mall Santas. He mentioned a family they visit every year in which a little girl asked for a makeup kit one holiday.
Remembering the family, the next Christmas he asked the girl if she was still using the makeup kit. Dan said her face lit up and her eyes widened because of all the kids Santa sees every year, he remembered her.
“Some Santas you hear are short with the kids, they just ask what they want and then move on; Dan really takes an interest in them,” Karen said. “He will sit and read with them and it means a lot.”
Mr. Claus would be nothing without his partner, though. Dan said Karen is vital to the operation. She helps organize the kids and keeps track of time. Also, she helps Dan, who is slightly hard of hearing, make sure he catches the kids’ names and what exactly they ask for.
“What makes her a good Mrs. Claus is the same thing that makes her a good wife,” Dan said. “She is organized and patient. There are some kids who don’t want to come to Santa but they will go to her. So it’s really great to do this with her.”
The Crouses typically charge $25 for a 30-minute visit; however, that price varies depending on the family and their need.
“The extra money has been nice, but that’s not why we do it,” Dan said. “It’s really special to see their faces light up when we walk in. For some of these kids, Christmas is the biggest day in the world. We’ve been to houses where families have very little and others that are very well off. The positive reaction we get is always the same, though.”
Dan, who grew up in Red Oak, and Karen, who is originally from Stanton, have always been Christmas fanatics. Their house is decked in lights and even has motion censored Christmas music that plays as you walk to their door.
“Because our family all lives nearby, Christmas has always been very special,” Dan said. “Doing this puts even more reason into the season.”
With a tear in his eye, Dan recalled one particular memory from his Santa experience that stood out.
“Most kids ask for video games or other standard gifts, this one little girl, though, asked for her mom to get better,” Dan said. “It just hit really hard.”
The little girl’s mother had multiple sclerosis, which Dan’s mother suffered from as well. At that moment, they tried to do what they could to keep the mood light and brighten spirits with Christmas music, but it remains a moment he will never forget.
Unfortunately, this year Dan and Karen had to step back from their holiday personas. Dan recently had a knee replacement, which makes traveling to homes and businesses and sitting on the floor reading with children too difficult.
He has lent his suit to other community members willing to take on the role for his annual commitments.
“I really miss it,” Dan said. “I didn’t think I would miss it this much, but I’m just anxious to start back again next year.”