It is that time of the year again. Santa and Mrs. Claus have started to make their rounds, and your family’s visit is coming up very soon. This is our seventh year doing this and every year, it gets bigger and bigger, and I end up having to turn people away. That is never the way that I wanted this thing to be, but there are only so many hours in a day. So I figured I’d send this email to clarify some things that I tend to get asked a lot.  As there was some misunderstanding about some of these things last year, I thought it was time to explain the way our Santa visits operate.

First, we cannot ever guarantee Mrs. Claus. We do not charge for her to accompany me, since she cannot always be with me. As you know, she is my wife, Kim and since I commit 10-12 hours a day to getting all of you into the schedule, she must stay behind and maintain the home and the things that are happening in our personal life and church. She does attend about 85% of my visits, but I apologize if she cannot be at yours.

People have questioned the 30-40 minutes that I end up being at your activity. Yes, I advertise $40 for an hour, but please realize that the one way that I can keep my costs down is by getting to as many homes as I can in a day. That means that your hour includes the 20-minute ride from the last visit to your visit.

If you live further than the local Williamstown area, that means that my travel time to your area will hinder me from booking a visit during the next hour. This is why I ask those of you to pay for the extra time that I need to block off travelling to your location and then back to Williamstown. I really appreciate all of you and your openness in doing so. I have never had a complaint.

The most asked question is how can I get a visit on Christmas Eve. First of all, know that if you are booked on Christmas Eve, you get a shorter visit.  Because of the requests for that day, I need to be jumping to a new house every 45 minutes. So Christmas Eve visits are 20 minutes long.  I will never rush out on you, so please be mindful of this when I am at your home. Also most people who are booked for Christmas Eve have been my customers from the very beginning and they always get first choice for their time slot for the coming years.  If by chance, a family decides to no longer have us visit on Christmas Eve, then I can put another family in. However, in 7 years, I have only had one family drop out. Many keep us visiting them on Christmas Eve long after the children have grown up. As, most of you know, the adults love our visits as much, and sometimes even more than the children.

One area where I really need your help is with the booking of your visit. Many are now booking up to a year and sometimes a few years ahead. I am glad to oblige, but I noticed last year that there were a few who booked a date to hold a visit and then cancelled out as the time drew near. This many times hinders me from visiting children who could have been visited had I not had to turn that visit away because it was previously booked.

In 7 years, and even through Covid, I never cancelled a single appointment. I know that we do not have a contract, but I want you all to know how seriously I take our arrangement. As I get older, I understand that my limitations will change. But for right now, I feel that I am good and able to do what I book.  So, unless I am contagious or dying, I WILL BE AT YOUR EVENT! I just ask for the same sentiments from you. At this point, because the calendar is so booked now, and we have started our visits, I ask if you cancel out, please consider paying for the time that you cancelled out on. That will also help me continue to keep the costs down every year.

Another thing that I hear at many visits is “You need to charge more.”  I feel that what we offer at each visit is much better than other people out there offer and worth much more than what we charge. I thank you for your concern for me, but this was never about the money. (Please read my bio on the website) I will not charge what other Santa’s charge because it would hinder me from going to children whose parents may not be able to afford it. But please know that if you are of the mind to give a little more than the normal rate (and so many of you do), it is always appreciated. Many of you give us food to take home with us from your event, and that is always appreciated as well. Many of my Saturdays and Sundays are so busy that I do not get to eat until extremely late at night.

I am getting constant invites for visits on Facebook Messenger, emails, texts, and the website. I try to keep on top of it the best that I can. But I have made some mistakes. I appreciate all of you who have worked with me through those, but changing your times, sometimes your dates to accommodate everyone.  You are all truly amazing.

All that being said, we are ready to bring the joy, magic, and love of Christmas to your home and family this year!

Santa Ken and Mrs. Claus