A trip to the mall for a photo with Santa is a tradition for many families. This Christmas season, there have been a few Santas whose interactions with kids have gone viral. And that got us wondering: What is this time of year like for the man in the red suit?
When you think about that obligatory Santa visit, the scene from "A Christmas Story" may come to mind. But you can expect a very different experience if you go to see Santa Bill at the Federal Way Commons.
“Are you coming to get your picture taken? I like your jacket; High five.”
Santa Bill has been hearing gift requests professionally for the last 20 years with Seattle-based Arthur and Associates. Though, he’s no stranger to the red and white garb; He donned a Santa suit each Christmas when he worked as a teacher and administrator.
“Kids give me strength, give me a good feeling. And it’s just a wonderful experience," he said. "I’ve enjoyed it throughout my life.”
Over the years, Santa Bill says he’s heard a myriad of requests from kids; the usual stuff: Barbies, teddy bears, electric trains. Some kids have bigger wishes like asking Santa to make sure their moms or dads are home for Christmas. But then there are the other requests. Several years ago, a girl visited Santa Bill and asked for a parakeet.
“So I asked her, I said, ‘Why do you want a parakeet?’ And she says, ‘Well, mine had passed away.’ And she opened her hand up; she had it in a washcloth.”
He wasn’t able to fulfill that order because, as you may or may not know, live animals don’t travel well. But whatever your request, children of all ages are always welcome. In fact, Santa Bill says in his two decades of doing this, his oldest visitor was a 91-year-old woman.
