Playing Santa

Stevie Wonder - One Little Christmas Tree

I'm not a very giving person, nor am I a forgiving one, however, sometimes when you reach your own personal low, the only way is up. I have nothing to complain about really, I'm extremely lucky with everything I could ever ask for, yet something just pulls at me.

I know this is self aggrandising but it was rather meaningful for me. A student asked if I wanted to volunteer to be Santa for his daughter's school. I have a lot of trouble saying, "No." Although I had some skepticism it was an obvious worthwhile venture. Being of Asian descent, agencies wouldn't really consider my aethetics for a Santa position.

It was an early morning meeting with my student to which we were whisked off to the school. Upon arriving, the principal greeted us and briefed us on the days schedule. We were served with tea and coffee which was more than kind. I got dressed into the Santa costume at about 9:20am and was directed to give presents to three classes of 2-3 year olds. My goodness it was a rush. I just waved and danced and despite my incredible amount of pride, seeing the looks on the childrens' faces was an instant gratification worth the clowning around. The second class was next door and the kids were waiting by the window, I seemed to have appeared so suddenly that I instantly made a child cry. I was so mortified that I just waved my hands and said, "Ho ho ho ho! It's ok! Life gets better!" An obviously un-Santa thing to say but it was my subconscious reflex speaking. There was hope in me still. Kids got their presents, many said, "Thank You" while others just stared in disbelief.

After these classes, my student and I waited in the principal's meeting room to await further instruction. The next stage was presenting presents to a hall full of children to be followed by a mini-interview with English translation and a song presentation by the kids. The principal and other teachers worked so hard to keep me secret, even to the extent of covering the windows with black paper in order to keep the mystique. After another coffee and a rehearsal of lines and directions, I was shown the way to the hall. Once the door opened there were, by my nervous recollection, over 150 kids. I DID NOT EXPECT THAT AT ALL! Insta-sweat drenched my undershirt. Praise to all hard working Santas across the world, I was rookie green.

I've never seen so many kids waving and wailing in excitement. Some were looking in bewilderment and when I caught their eye I just flashed a huge wave with both of my hands and when copied I stuck both my thumbs up. I would pat my overstuffed belly and be copied by many other kids.

When two kids presented a chair for me to sit on, I nearly cried when the first 5 year old came up to me to ask a question, which I then had to answer to the rest of the kids. When asked, "How do you get into a house with no chimney?" I answered (directed with the script I was given), "I take many stars from the sky and create a magical key to help me get presents to the good children." Needless to say the kids went mental!

The song they sang was so beautiful, it meant the world to us. I dunno, everyone does this across the world does this, and there are many more that deserving better praise for Christmas giving, however, it was an experience I can't believe I was part of.

To the amazing principal who took this photo, teachers of the school and my student who persuaded me to do this, it is amazing how hard people work to keep the spirit of hope and love burning to the young generations. I am a negative person in all respects, but I want to hope and at least try to do something decent, despite every selfish fiber of my being.