I was asked the other day why I have embraced being Santa so fully, especially since I’m not a huge fan of consumerism and the commercialization of Christmas.
Here’s my answer- Santa Claus is the only male cultural icon who is all about peace, joy, giving, and caring for other people. For me that’s part of the magic, and it’s part of who I am at the deepest level. In a culture where we've become commercialized and programmed to respond to manufactured icons and brands Santa Claus offers an organic connection to our best traits and behaviors.
What I embrace is the Spirit of Santa. This is what I have come to represent in recent years, both physically as walking icon and behaviorally as an embodiment of authentic happiness and joy.