When writer Jack Sanderson set out to become the big man in red for his film “Becoming Santa,” it thrust him into a seasonal position for six years, and “each season was supposed to be my last.” He just can’t get away, so we caught up with him about his passionate love for being a big man little brats sit on in malls. Just in time for Christmas 2015!

When writer Jack Sanderson set out to become the big man in red for his film “Becoming Santa,” it thrust him into a seasonal position for six years, and “each season was supposed to be my last.” He just can’t get away, so we caught up with him about his passionate love for being a big man little brats sit on in malls. Just in time for Christmas 2015!

Why do you enjoy being Santa?

It’s really a performance for one. When you’re acting as Santa, you’re just acting for whatever child you’re talking to at that moment. The impact from an individual Santa is the tradition itself. Somebody you don’t know thinks you’re a good person and is bringing you a gift for which you will owe them nothing. The cultural impact of the tradition is a continuing sense of generosity, because there’s nothing else in our society that does that. When there is generosity, it’s all, “Look how generous I am. Look what I did, look what I did.” But then there’s this old guy who requires nothing in return and doesn’t brag about what he did. And someone has to be there to sit in on the picture … You want the picture whether the baby’s happy or whether the baby’s crying. You want the picture.

If the baby is crying, all the better for the hilarious photo …

Not for Santa, but yes, sure!

How many unmanageable criers do you get in a given day?

You know, I’ve only ever had maybe three or four throughout the day; that’s not bad considering how many people I’ve averaged on a given day. You want to make sure you hear every child, but you’ve got to keep the line moving! When I was in Hong Kong, I had days where we had 900 people.

As the kids come through, do they ask you for things that shock you?

I don’t know what it means that I’m not surprised anymore. (laughs) The children are much more aware than they’re given credit for. Even as young as they are, children are thinking of other people. I had a four-year-old ask me for a wig for his Uncle John and his mother explained to me later Uncle John just finished chemo.

What kind of response have you gotten from the movie “Becoming Santa”?

Women love that movie. Two women I’ve never met have proposed to me through Facebook. I’ve been asked on several dates. It’s a little frightening.

What does Santa School entail?

I didn’t know when I went to Santa School what it was going to be, and I thought it would be a waste of time. It turned out to be totally worthwhile because it provided perspective I hadn’t thought of and gave me answers to questions that I thought, “If a child asks me this, I don’t know what to say.” It teaches you how to handle difficult situations and how to present yourself. There’s a degree of common sense involved there — but without being a jerk, common sense is something that’s becoming less and less common.

Does Santa have to be CPR trained, or is there a state license involved?

There is not, but most Santas when they’re employed they have to provide a background check. I don’t think anyone expects Santa to be a medic. If a child needs CPR when visiting Santa, something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.