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Marty -- I am sorry this has happened. I will check our logs and respond in an email to you. Everyone -- Let me be perfectly clear on this... Any attempt to hack into this site will be taken very seriously and violators will be blocked from ClausNet.com and reported to authorities. When we first launched ClausNet, we had a few instances where members were logging in using someone else’s credentials for nefarious reasons. Ten years ago, our back-end server tools for detecting this activity were not as sophisticated as they are now. Today, our server records every single device, operating system, browser, IP address, and other information when someone (or something) attempts to access this site. This includes successful and unsuccessful logins. Even with all the tools at our disposal here, I still recommend that you change your password often. I change my passwords about once a month. When creating your password, be sure to make it difficult to crack yet, easy to remember. And be sure to use different passwords for different sites. If you feel like someone may be accessing your ClausNet account, please contact me or Felix immediately. We are here to help. We can block IP address, change your password, and even your username if necessary. I have never understood why people do this. Maybe it’s because they have too much time on their hands. Or perhaps they have a poor self-image and spoofing accounts makes them feel better about themselves. I don’t know. But if a person's life revolves around hacking, spamming, or trolling, I feel sorry for them. Obviously, there is something going on in their lives that drives them to this behavior. In my opinion, anyone who does this, does not deserve the title of Santa or Mrs. Claus. As I mentioned we have taken steps to greatly reduce this crap here on ClausNet. Sadly, a lot of this is still happening on Facebook. I think you would be surprised to learn how many “Santas” and “Mrs. Clauses” you may be interacting with in the various Facebook groups are not who they appear to be. This is one of the reasons why I have stepped away from most of these groups on Facebook. With all the recent news about Facebook, it should be obvious that Facebook Group admins do not have the same level of control or the tools to monitor this activity – nor will they ever. Facebook Groups are the property of Facebook, not you. As always, if you have any issues, concerns, questions, comments, or complaints, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I saw the FB group posting some new guy gets himself a new suit and is attacked rather than helped. Then some guy calls him a fake Santa because he did not have a real beard. This happens all the time on Facebook. When do they realize we are portraying a fictional Character. No one is Santa and just because you grow a beard does not make you real. Work on your best image when portraying Santa, If you can't grow a reasonable real beard then look for the best designer beard yo can afford. Give the best portrayal you can leave those who see you with a memorable experience seeing the character of Santa Claus.

As the gatekeeper here on who gains access to ClausNet, I get a lot of emails from folks who want to be members. As part of the screening process I ask why they want to join. I can't tell you how many times people say that they are finally a real Santa because they are growing a beard. Not a great first impression -- especially for this "fake" Santa. I think part of the problem is there are too many Santas now. And too many are doing this for, in my opinion, the wrong reasons. In the past 10 years there has been an "explosion" of new Santas on the scene. Everyone thinks they are going to get rich -- or famous. That's why you see all the sniping and negativity. They are all competing with one another.

None of us are Santa, we portray him.we strive to make happy memories and spread the reason for the season.you take on Santa as a role during the Christmas season or in an event or situation that is related to the Christmas theme. Beyond that you are an individual private person and should remain so.

Crazy to hear that things like this happen! The Bible says to "guard your heart". For me, I love everybody but I don't trust anybody. There's a Santa in my business area who is trying to lead people into thinking that I'm him, trying to lead customers his way. It actually worked in reverse, and his efforts led to more people finding me, some of who were his longtime customers. Who would want to hack into Marty's Clausnet account? Probably someone who wanted to take him down a notch, even try to curtail his involvement. Hey! Wait a minute...

Met a guy the other day, he asked me if I played Santa. I said "yes" and he told me that he was interested in doing just that. His kids got him a Santa suit for Christmas and he showed me pictures. We talked for a little bit and I gave him my contact info. I told him I would mentor him. He got excited and asked me how much money could he make at this? I looked at him, and with my tongue in my cheek, said, "On no, you won't make much money playing Santa. It's a hobby at best." He never contacted me!

Facebook is becoming a cesspool and for the first time they are seeing a decrease in members. Their recent decision to "control" the content you see on your timeline has caused many to leave the platform for alternative up and coming social networking site. And the amount of personal information both Facebook and Google are collecting on all of us is frightening.

Sadly it has turned from a wish to make children and adults happy during the Christmas season, as my late father and uncle did never even thinking of taking or asking for money to a Santa for profit year round thing. Sad reality,I remember as a child no sign of Santa until the Friday after Thanksgiving and he was gone from site Christmas morning.It was the magic and fantasy of the experience. Today it has diminished because of the year round exposure and all to make a buck.

Well written. Thanks for posting this food for thought.

These "workshops" remind me of the real estate flipping scams where they offer a free seminar and then pitch you a how to be rich hard sale. At the end of the seminar you end up with having paid for more. The people running the seminar get rich, a few very few that pay make a dime and the rest, well they are just the people P. T. Barnum talked about.

Clausnet is a gem and I point all I know to come here and learn. There will always be those that gripe and complain but we need just to ignore that. I think when offering criticism, it’s fairly clear when it’s coming from a place of caring and support. If you are opening your mouth without really caring about that individual getting better, just keep your mouth shut and move along.

I've been met by families of all faiths, including Jewish and Muslim. Even casual Christians. It is not up to me to preach a sermon or try to convert them, but to just show them the love and joy that I represent. But, to the Christian family that approaches me, and specifically mentions Jesus, then I will share my faith. I will tell the children, "If there had never been Jesus, there would never be a Santa Claus." I will show them the embroidered right hand sleeve of my coat, which has baby Jesus, being guarded by a huge angel, with a shinning star above. Christian children like to know that Santa is a believer, and that the word "Believe", that is thrown around so much at Christmas time, now has a much deeper meaning. And often, (and I'm sure this has happened to many of you) a family will approach me with all kinds of requests: "Hey Santa, I lost my job four months ago - got anything in your magic bag for me?" "Santa, my mom is going for cancer treatments. I really want her to be well." "Santa, I want daddy home for Christmas - that's all I really want." Children and adults will both view Santa as some sort of miracle worker, maybe as a last chance request, maybe just out of hope. My reply is always the same. " I am but a humble maker of toys. I have no power to create miracles on my own. But, would you like me to pray for you?" I have never received, "no" for an answer. I will get up from my chair, join hands with the family, and there, right in Santa's House, often with onlookers present, will pray out loud whatever prayer the Holy Spirit puts in my heart. I will hug each family member before they leave, and let them know that they will be constantly in my prayers. Then, I 'll go right back to the business of posing for photos, hearing requests, ho ho hoing and creating the best Santa Claus experience for all to have.

Amen. Since I am a non-real bearded Santa, i keep Santa separate from my life. He only comes out when asked to appear. Santa needs only to be Santa when the call arises.

Hmmm?

Wasn't that a Lynyrd Skynyrd song?

Amen, brother!

Totally agree! Nicely said and thanks for letting us know!

I am glad to get to know you and look forward to learning from you I still have a lot to learn about balancing the Santa - Chaplain dynamic . . . but I can sure relate to the push back ! We shall talk soon !!

Glad to hear your situation has improved. Hope your 2019 will be a wonderfully blessed season.

Glad to have you back my brother in red

As a fellow Santa Dan, I am real happy to have you here. Here is to an amazing 2019 for all of us including Santas with names other than Dan attached.

Sometimes a little rest can really open us up to what we need to do and where we are supposed to be. Glad to hear that things are going well for you.

Glass is raised! Glad to hear that everything is going better for you

haven't pulled the plug yet but don't get on nearly as much as I used to gotta say ClausNet is a lot more interesting and uplifting....

It doesn’t help that there are “Santas” giving workshops and classes on how to be rich and famous...while lining their own pockets. It is only going to get worse as the “cosplay generation” steps in and putting on a suit becomes more about making a point and grabbing some attention.

A follow up to my hair bleaching post. As I reported in the blog post, my hair was a pale yellow after the first bleaching. I repeated the process the following morning, and got it mostly white, except some spots in the back and along the edges, which were still yellowish. A third bleaching, concentrating on those areas finally did the trick, so now my hair is snowy white... even more than my beard, which obviously could use a repeat treatment. I am sure that I will have plenty of opportunity to practice treating my hair and beard over the coming months, since I estimate that the original color will start showing at the roots every month or two. But now that i've gone through the process a couple of times, I'm less concerned that I will mess it up.

Agreed. I have too many photographers calling and asking for photo sessions starting in June. I have decided that my Santa character will enjoy the beauty of Christmas. Every day I see a new gimmick or something new that every Santa needs to purchase for the children. I guess I feel if you do Santa right, all you need is yourself and a little bit of Christmas magic which we find in ourselves.

I'm a simple man with a simple mind, so I suppose I will simply be a simple Santa.

Thanks!

I have that book wonderfully imaginative what a fantastic gift to share with your children so happy the family shared it with the world - they could have kept it a secret . . .

I had no idea that J.R.R. Tolkien had made this wonderful memory for his family. I will most certainly be on the lookout for this information. Huge thank you for sharing this!

First, let me correct Santa Drosselmeyer on the above quote. While I wish I would have said it, but Felix Estridge wrote it in his original post to this subject. It is a perfect quote relating to the message of this thread and Felix hit it with, "Do no harm to the legend." On a related note, I am actually discipling a man to be a Santa. He has become a dear friend to me and we get together about once a week for coffee or lunch. He totally looks the part and has spent his career caring for children. So being a Santa will fit him like lambs wool gloves. I was a commercial photographer during my career. Photographers are notorious for purchasing the latest gizmo and if you look into most of the camera bags of a pro, you will find all manner of gadgets that look new but that the photographer has used but once or never. We Santas are a lot like that ourselves. We see a Santa with a compass or set of gold keys or something and we have to rush out and purchase it for our own ensemble. I think it is a man's thing. However, Looking our best is important as a Santa. My friend kind of resembles this behavior. Thankfully for him, I believe he is well off and can afford all the capes and staffs and custom boots and customized suits. Often when we get together, he will tell me of a source for belt buckles or shirts or whatever else. And I keep telling him to just, "Be the man." But this man is going to make a great Santa! Some of us have spent small fortunes on our ensembles with customized this or that. I have seen many stunningly beautiful suits of different Santas. I myself have continued to improve my own look from year to year. But the first priority for us is to "Be the man!" Felix is the first Santa I met when I was considering this role 10 years ago. Even in the off season, he looked the part, but his demeanor was what really impressed me. And as I studied about who St Nicholas was and the legends and history of the man, I found I could easily identify because I myself had spent my adult life serving and loving children. And besides reading up on who St. Nicholas was, get involved in local Santa gatherings and organizations. We all learn a lot from each other that can make us better Santas. Look for opportunities to ply the character all through the year. Volunteer at children's hospitals. When someone stops you on the street as a Santa, 'Be the man!" Thankfully, among the Santas I know, they are already doing this in many ways. So if for nothing else, let this be a reminder and an encouragement for all of us toward becoming better at this. Through our efforts at improving our portrayals, we will "Do no harm to the legend."

Yepper just like Mom and Dad taught us, better to say nothing at all then to say something bad. ..... YES EVEN THOUGH THEY STARTED IT! GOOD for you Pop because I can't say I could do the same thing. I'd rather show up (if there close) and try to talk it out. BUT that being said has lead to a few worst decisions after showing up. (Obviously not talking Santa here.) BNo one would ever pretend to be me in a Santa suit! LOL!

Thank you wise words and sound advice I have certainly found the day after Christmas to be one of the most uncomfortable and bleak days of the year - it is good to know I am not alone in that feeling.

This has been an ongoing problem for me on FaceBook. I can NOT count the number of times I have been cloned and or hacked. Its even hard to get FB to close down your own account, especially when you've been cloned.... cause they don't believe its you! LOL It has nothing to do with the fact that they want to have BILLIONS of accounts for AD revenues. I have been lucky to tour much of FB corp offices in CA, and everywhere you look, there are posters..... "The Next Billion" as motivational materials for their employees.... Its a Corp Culture! With the shear numbers of members, and many Christmas Community people on FB, it has become a necessary EVIL way to attempt to keep in touch.

What's Facebook?!? (never did it, never will...welcome back from the dark side)

Yep.

Never been on Facebook myself, but from what I've heard, I'm not missing much. Clausnet has been around much longer than Facebook, having come on the scene when the old Santas Across the Globe was fading away. And hopefully Clausnet will never fade away, as it is the longest running Santa site in existence. Facebook might just fade away, whenever the new "it" site comes about. But Clausnet, with it's kindness and gentleness, I hope to see it last ten times ten thousand years!

I don't go near Facebook, but my wife commented just this morning that she noticed the same thing on the FB Santa postings she has seen. A shame really...

I am coming into this late, but Felix, I completely agree! I keep my beard and much of my persona year around as it brings opportunities everywhere you go to speak into people's lives. I encourage them in their faith in God, in their keeping their eyes open to look for ways to help and bless others and to be quick to be secret givers themselves. I came to see many years ago that St. Nicholas was the dynamic person he was simply because he early learned how to put other peoples interests above his own, a very Christ like life. We Santas have a very important and blessed role to fulfill. And though I am not in easy access to working with Lone Star Santas right now, it is a very important role fulfilled in bringing hope to others devastated by some disaster. Yet I continue to associate myself with it and promote it wherever I can. God bless you my friend! I am sorry I was not able to get together with you this past season... Santa Kevin

Very good, sensible advice. I would like to add to, if at all possible, offer to do what you can to help them locate another Santa. I can do that because the Lone Star Santas has a Find-a-Santa resource to which we can refer them. They will remember that you put forth that effort and might come back to you again even if they do find another Santa.

Thanks Marty. For me, it was more a reminder of the balance. The new "stuff" is not needed, it's nice and fun, but if I'm adding "stuff" without trying to add knowlege, technique, and talent to my portrayal, then I have missed the point. I will never say that buying new things is bad, it actually helps during the year get really excited about the coming season. I guess, as we often hear, the "things" do not make the Santa, it's what is in the heart. If our heart is in the right place, we will have a natural desire to become better, to learn, and study.

A very important point to remember. You can't buy your way to being Santa. I suppose I am fortunate. I simply can't afford new accessories. But I can and do look and admire some of the new outfits and accessories on the Web.

I also find the Beard Commander balm a "must have" if you are sporting a beard.

Glad to hear you are out of there. I know it was not funny at the time but your writing style is fantastic and had me in "stitches" while reading certain parts. I hope you have a full and speedy recovery and are all better for the upcoming holiday season.

Santa Johnathan, thank you so much for posting this. I am a new Santa, this being my first Christmas and you hit the nail on the head for me! I have been kind of in a funk since Christmas was over wondering what now. Yes there is life after Christmas, but I still can't wait until next November. ;-) Thanks again, Phil

Mixed emotions when reading your entry. Being married to a professional year 'round RBS yet not portraying Mrs. Claus due to being wheelchair bound, I am what I consider a "professional observer" !! It's fun to see the interaction of RBS throughout the year in their festive casual wear. I especially enjoy arranging the MN Santa gatherings as well as those very fun trips to SC, IN and Gatlinburg, TN. Not every Professional Santa is out to make the big buck....many just enjoy spreading happiness and love throughout the year. I don't believe you were intentionally throwing all professional santas into one group because that is profiling. I do believe you went overboard in your article by ending: "And when I’ve blown all of my ill gotten gains on wine, women and song I can go back to being…a magician and a clown." OUCH....that comment really hurt even me, the "professional observer". I have observed and become friends with some really great RBS and Traditional Santas from all over the world and I have seen first hand their contributions and services they offer throughout the year.....especially in times of disaster and dispair. It's only about the money for a handful of RBS or even Traditional Santas....there are far more who do things throughout the year for service in honor of St. Nicholas of Myra than making money to spend on fame, wine or women. Debra Ann

How would the "purists" feel if we who have naturally white hair and beards decided you who bleach and treat your hair were inferior to us naturals? Think about it. Are we better than you? I think not. Santa comes from the heart. What is on your face is only window dressing. It makes no difference if you grew it or took it out of a box..

I've been in the red suit for 46 yrs first 36 years w/a fake beard and 10 years a real beard. I can say I had just a much fun with both styles. The part I like about the real beard is it dosen't make my nose raw from wearing it all day and if I want to be santa on a day to day basis I can. I did not mide a fake beard at all back then, I had a cheep one to start then went to a more expensive one and went to the best fake beards after that. Now they have some really nice beards that are fake that I really like alot. I am very neutral on Fake or Real Beards. I have to say there are Santa's out there with Fake and Real Beards that I have met in the past that should NOT be playing Santa, I can't explain what makes a great Santa. It's something you feel in your heart and if you have that feeling you know what it is like to be a good Santa, you just feel it. Have you ever left a child you went to visit and said to yourself........now I know why I do this, knowing that child you were asked to visit is terminal and this was his or her wish to see you as the real Santa. I've been there several times before my friends. My heavenly Father has helped me keep it together all these year's for his chosen one's and I thank God every day for that and I would'nt change a thing!

very true michael...thank you from another "fake bearded" santa