As children around the world wait for the annual visit from Santa, his professional counterparts will pack away their suits and jingle bells for another year.

These keepers of the Christmas spirit break out their boots and hats each fall, traveling to schools, parties, family homes and special events, making sure each child has a chance to relay what he or she wants for Christmas.

Rarely seen in classified ads or listed in the Yellow Pages, everyday men become Santa Claus in unexpected ways.

For Tom Pieper of Cabot, the role of Santa Claus was one he never pursued. Asked to fill in for a friend who had fallen ill, Pieper donned the Santa suit for the first time about 20 years ago, and has been dressing up like the Yuletide visitor ever since.

He now makes about 12 to 20 appearances each season, including Saxonburg’s Light-Up Night, the Butler Parks and Recreation Department’s breakfast with Santa program and several other schools and organizations.

A former salesman, Pieper said that in both positions he enjoyed any opportunity to meet new people.

For Doug Baird of Johnstown, Ohio, formerly of Butler County, a case of mistaken identity gave him the confidence to take on the role of the holiday gift giver.

While traveling from his former home in St. Louis to Western Pennsylvania for the holidays, Baird was mistaken for Claus while passing through an airport. “A little 2-year-old girl pulled on my pant leg and said ‘Ho ho,’” remembered Baird.

Though he knew instantly that he had the look, it would be a couple years before Baird grew out a long white beard, and felt prepared for the holiday role.

Like Baird, Kevin Fleming of Evansville Indiana, formerly of Mars, spent time considering the position before finding his first Santa suit.A Presbyterian minister by trade, Fleming said the spirit of Santa Claus was in line with his faith.“Being able to give is such a really good example and for me, it’s actually Christian faith in action.”As a father, Fleming had taken his children to visit Santa Claus in the past, and recognized the difference between a good Santa and a mediocre one.When he finally decided to take on the position, he wanted to make sure he was able to perform well as Santa.After stumbling on an online article for the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Mich., he decided to register for the school’s three-day course.“It seemed to me to be exactly what I wanted,” he said.According to the school’s Web site, instructor Tom Valent offers courses in October and November.The courses focus on basics such as proper attire and the history of Santa Claus, and more advanced material such as skills for radio and television interviews and sign language lessons to help Santas communicate with hearing-impaired children.The sign language portion came in handy for Fleming, who, during his first Santa appearance, met with a young girl who was hearing impaired. “When I started to sign to her, she just lit up,” he said. “It just thrilled me to death.”

In a class of about 70 people from around the country, Fleming also had the opportunity to meet another Santa with Butler County ties.Baird, who had already been making appearances for three years at restaurants, day care centers, private homes, senior centers and businesses, heard about the Santa school from a television report.For Baird, some of the most beneficial information came from practicing interviewing skills and touring a toy store to see what gifts are new and exciting to children.For both Santa impersonators, the session was an opportunity to share their excitement for the job with like-minded people.“There are other people that have this same passion,” said Fleming. “It was really wonderful.”Suiting upWhether schooled in Santa’s ways or a self-study, the red suit, hat, beard and bag are keys to success as a Santa Claus.For Baird and Fleming, their own naturally-grown white beards convince children who tug on the beards to verify Santa’s authenticity.For those without long white locks, pristine white hairpieces set with curls are made to impress even skeptical children.Using a beard with straps that stretch behind his head, Pieper said the hairpiece has passed the test for most children.Below the beard, traditional Santa suits come in red with furry white details and a wide belt.

Now on his second Santa suit, Bill Brown of Butler said his suit takes a lot of wear and tear with 700 to 800 children hopping on his lap each year.“It washes up rather easily,” said Brown of the current suit, made by his wife. Washable fabric is a must-have convenience when working at several functions during a weekend.The rest of his ensemble is a conglomeration of gifts and hand-me-downs that remind him of friends and family such as black boots passed on by a family friend and formal white gloves from his brother’s Navy uniform.Decorative keys attached to his wide leather belt were given by his wife and some of the families that have used his services.Brown noted the keys correspond with a holiday story that tells children about magic keys Santa uses to enter houses without chimneys.A bit slim for a Santa, Brown also uses a stuffed pad to give the appearance of a round belly.

With his suit on, his belt buckled and his hat properly placed, Brown transforms into a jolly old elf.Taking on a deep, yet friendly voice, he is always ready to wave and greet his audience.Through years of experience, Brown has learned that by talking to adults first, children observe that Santa is friendly.“I usually single out a grandmother or grandfather,” said Brown.“Allowing them time to get over that fear factor or apprehension, I think that’s a true characteristic (of Santa Claus).”A special education teacher by day, he tries to ask children questions relative to their age, such as what they are learning in school or what types of movies they see.Though the conversations may prove time-consuming in large groups, Brown tries to be fair to each child.“I give the first child the exact same amount of time as the last child gets,” he said.Both Brown and Pieper recognize that as children get older it is more difficult to convince them that they are the real Santa.Although it may pose a challenge to some Santas, it’s an opportunity Brown looks forward to each year.“One of the most rewarding things is the child that’s on the edge. They want to believe. I just love to be able to squeeze one more Christmas out for them,” he said.

For those children who have reasoned that the Santa at the mall, school or party is not the real Santa, Brown tells them he is Santa’s helper.“The important part is that it’s the spirit of Santa in your heart,” he told one child.Another challenge for Santas is when children ask for more than they might get or even intangible gifts, such as for help with family situations.“Maybe I’ll even surprise you with something,” is Pieper’s response to requests he’s not sure can be filled.“I never promise them,” noted Brown. “I just say ‘I’ll put that on the list.’”Although traveling from schools to parties to homes to hear the wish lists of children keeps these Santas busy in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, dedicated Santas keep returning year after year.For Brown, the joy he gets from sharing Christmas cheer transcends the fatigue of his hectic holiday schedule. Volunteering his time for those groups and families who could not otherwise afford a Santa service, Brown will make three to four appearances per day on weekends and some family visits on weekdays.“It’s a whole different ballgame once you actually get into the role. That tiredness actually leaves you,” said Brown. “You can rest any other time.”Although still early in his Santa Claus career, his education and limited experience have led to a conclusion as to what makes a good Santa Claus.“I think every decent Santa has to believe in the power of magic. I am blown away by it every time that I put on the suit.”