No wonder you have so many Santa FB friends Brian!

I experience similar issues when I meet a local Santa, so I pretty much do not know any here in Honolulu.

This is teaching me I probably should NOT approach a local Santa and present myself as his <coff> competition. I just checked gigsalad and there are three new Santas this year within 5 miles of me... and each are real bearded. DOH!

I'm still getting gigs, though it must be the overflow from such authentic Santa's in my backyard.

I made contact with another real bearded professional Santa in my town through my credit union. He appears as Santa there every year. I hope to meet him again after Christmas to discuss Santa matters.

One difference between us is that because he has been in the area much longer, he does mostly local gigs in and around Hudson, MA while I travel throughout the Boston Metro area. I definitely consider him a Santa brother and not "competition".

One matter I am concerned about in my town is the traditional bearded Santa that appears at our tree lighting ceremony. One year, while I was there wearing a Santa hat, but no other Santa attire, he called me an "imposter". I heard that he does this to other white bearded men as well.

My reaction to Santa look-alikes that pass by at a mall or event where I am Santa is to call them a "helper" or to suggest that they could help Santa out. This is certainly a more positive way of reacting to them.

Santa Arthur

Hang in there Brian! Remember Santa's are like people. There are good ones and bad ones.

From one Santa Bryan to another Santa Brian (and both in the upstate of SC) I'm looking forward to comparing notes in a couple of weeks. Let those others loose out if they wish, but I believe we'll all benefit from knowing and being in contact with each other.

I prefer other Santa's, in or out of suit, NOT to come by where I am being Santa.

Simply because it causes confusion for the kids.. After I leave the set or after the season. I am all for getting together to share tips, stories or whatever..

I make it a point to NOT go anywhere a fellow santa is working..

This pass year I was in Walmart and the store santa came out while I was in line to check out. He came over to me and made a smarta$$ remark about being my competition.

I told him look there are no kids around BUT Santas do not COMPETE with each other...

Now if you want to look like a real Santa. Go bleach that hair, get it trimmed, take care of the beard too. It's more brown than white,,Pull your belly up to where it belongs, not sagging around your crotch. TIE your boots up. and when you get the chance do SOMETHING about your TEETH.. THEN learn how to be a SANTA...

OK , I know I over reacted but.. during the season and at least a month before and after..I make sure that any kid that sees me sees SANTA..even if he's in disguised, checking up on naughty and nice boys and girls..