The Claus Chronicles, entry 1

[cormac]

So as some of you may be aware, I was tapped to be Santa Claus at this year's Lyondemere Yule. I decided that instead of the "traditional" Coca-Cola Santa that has dominated the trope of der Klaus for the past 70 years or so, I was going to do a more "medieval" Father Christmas, which was going to be loosely based on descriptions from period and the iconography of the Ghost of Christmas Present from Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." In typical SCA fashion, I was sewing on it up until the time I left yesterday to go to Yule.

The undertunic is mid-calf length gold damask garment based loosely on the St. Louis shirt. The coat and hat are both made of a deep green velvet embroidered with gold curleycues, and both are trimmed with white faux fur. The coat is floor-length and trimmed at the collar and cuffs (the original idea was to trim the entire front opening and bottom hem, but we ran out of time), and the hat is trimmed at the opening, and finished with a large gold tassel at the tip.

I also picked up some Ben Nye "Snow White" hair makeup, and did myself up as Ole' Man Winter. When you combined the hair, coat and hat, the illusion was complete. I left to Lyondemere Yule to dispense gifts to the children of the barony, as well as the Baron and Baroness. Their Excellencies seemed to appreciate their gifts, but the only child there, Lachlan and Cassandra's young son Jordan, cried when he saw me. Making the kids cry; status quo for me. :)

Since there was only one Santa-age kid at Yule, I decided to continue in my role for a little while longer. mysryael and I went to one of those neighborhoods that embodies one-upsmanship. It was a winter wonderland of light, music, and (when she was there earlier) bonfires in the driveways. I had picked up some small candy canes earlier, and dispensed them to children who came up to talk to me. It was tons of fun, and I intend to do it again at least twice before the end of the Christmas season.

Highlights of the evening:
A small girl, maybe 2, dressed in a beautiful red and black velvet dress, hears that Santa has come to her house for a visit. She looks out the door, then runs full tilt at me, tripping and falling at the porch step. Unfazed, she bounces back up and receives her candy cane, then runs back into the house. 3 minutes later, she runs back out at full speed, gives my legs a hug, then runs back into the house.

Some children in an SUV were having trouble believing that I was indeed Kris Kringle. One said: "You're not Santa. You're not wearing any red! *pause, then small gasp* You're God!"

Vivienne took pictures when we visited her. As soon as I get them, I'm making an icon. If anyone at Lyondemere Yule took pictures (I'm looking at you, divinite), I'd like copies of them as well.

Comments

[magenta513.livejournal.com]

You finally got to dress up as Father Christmas. That's fantastic.

[divinite.livejournal.com]

I've got a ton. I just need to edit the HTML and upload them, probably tomorrow after work (unless I get a sudden flow of motivation later tonight). They turned out really great, you made an awesome Sinter Klaus!

[cormac.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I look forward to seeing the pictures. I wish I could have stayed longer, but my original vision had more children in it, and I was worried I wouldn't be able to do the Clark Kent/Superman changeover effectively (especially with the hair makeup).

[hagerson.livejournal.com]

Well, it was the old red suit version. But I do recall the most fun I had was playing Santa for the City of Long Beach when I was employed by them in my younger days. A Free Santa for schools and a paid Santa for office parties as a city fund raiser. The adults were ok, but the kids were the best.

When doing schools, a teacher would often tell me in advance about his or her students, so Santa could be all knowing :)

[cormac.livejournal.com]

I'm considering going to some of the newer hospitals in the area who haven't got the money to hire a Santa and offer my services. I knew it was going to be fun, but had no idea it would feel this good.

[dragynsidhe.livejournal.com]

And of course I must ask, are there photos?

It sounds remarkable.

[dragynsidhe.livejournal.com]

Right. Bad-skippy-last-liney.

At least I'm not hallucinating yet. (See journal for explanation)

God?

[andrastelovesu.livejournal.com]

Great. Now you'll be insufferable.

Re: God?

[cormac.livejournal.com]

Yes, I'll start a cult for children, and they'll worship me as Kevin the Christmas God, and give me offerings of macaroni collages.

Wait, on second thought forget it. Children don't have the attention span to stay with a cult for very long, and when I ran out of space on the fridge to put the macaroni collages on, there'd be a revolt anyway. Just not worth it.

[jpathomas.livejournal.com]

You really did a great job Cormac, wonderful in fact! I'm also looking forward to seeing the pictures.

[cormac.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Your Excellency. I hope you enjoy the tasty bits I put together for you. I first tried for a tea set (nice tea assortment, scones, jam, marmalade and clotted cream), but couldn't find gift-basket sized scones or scone mix, so I did my best to put together a high-end tournament lunch basket. Does Angelina like her trim and buttons?

[dieppe.livejournal.com]

You were quite a good Kiter Klaus... or whatever.. :)

Glad that you got to do more with it than just Yule night too.

Being mistaken for God...? Priceless! :)

[mysryael.livejournal.com]

>>Highlights of the evening:<<

I think for me it was sitting down in Denny's
and watching children straighten up in their seats
and a certain teenager who mumbled under her breath
while you were handing out candycanes to the littlest
bits of good behaviour.

That and explaining to the waiter down, that NO I really
did dress this way all year round.

I also want to do this again.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh I know this will be a long-term thing for you; being God, that is. I see nothing but ill coming from this.

-Daniel