Perhaps anyone wearing a red suit and white beard could appear to be Santa from a distance, but for an authentic experience, people want the “real” Santa Claus. Tom Bailey is not Kris Kringle, but he is Santa, known as “Santa Tom” online.
Bailey, 73, of Arlington, once a government contractor, believes he was called to become Santa.
“I always wore the Santa hat at Christmas, and then I knew I had to put on the coat,” he said. Soon he found himself transforming into the beloved Christmas persona.
With a real white beard, rosy cheeks and jolly demeanor, Bailey certainly looks the part. His extensive knowledge of the North Pole, reindeer and the like can reassure a doubtful child, and adults find themselves charmed and amused by the jolly old elf.
Just ask Mary Benson Alphs, owner of Benson’s Baskin Robbins in Gainesville. This is the seventh year Santa will make an appearance at her ice-cream shop for “Sundaes with Santa,” an intimate meet and greet that grows in popularity each year.
“People come back year after year. This has become their Santa,” Alpha said.
It is important to Alphs that the experience is joyful and memorable for children. A poor Santa impersonator might break the illusion.
“[Santa Tom] interacts, shares stories, answers questions and entertains the kids,” Alphs said. “And he takes personal time with each one that I have never seen. Parents and grandparents don't need a ticket, but he includes them too.”
It also helps that he is not at all camera-shy.
Santa Tom has made some high-profile appearances in Washington. He and his wife, Mrs. Claus ( a.k.a. Marlo Kay Ivey), visit the U.S. Supreme Court for their recess party every year.
“When Ruth Bater Ginsburg was alive – people said she never smiled, but we have pictures of her smiling,” Santa said.
For years he was featured at the Kennedy Center’s annual Christmas Pop Concert. He would dance down the aisles and conduct the orchestra. “It’s just a blast and the whole audition just loves it.”
Bailey feels he really shines when interacting with children. He is well-versed in Santa lore and happy to answer their most pressing Christmas questions. His humor is the cherry on top.
For instance, when children say math is their favorite subject, he asked them if they learned “Gazintas…You know, two gazinta four. Four gazinta eight.” Sometimes he asks them to name his reindeer. Then he might say, “I think you forgot one - Olive” as in “Olive the other reindeer.”
Bailey loves having the freedom to choose his appearances. He literally could not make it a day as a mall Santa. “I tried when I was relatively new, and I hated it,” he said, explaining there was no time to talk to the children.
No matter what he does, he aims to be authentic. When he went on live television in Washington, Santa chose not to preview the children’s questions. He doesn’t mind being put on the spot. However, he remains consistent in his answers. For instance, he has 1,951 elves, before they start flying out to children’s shelves.
And Santa is often asked if Santa Claus is for non-Christians too. “Yes,” he tells people, because “[Santa and Christmas] is not just Jesus and his birth; it’s about happiness and joy and caring about our brothers and sisters.”
Santa really enjoys joint appearances with Mrs. Claus.
“She does a wonderful job. If there’s a child that is scared to death of me, she can get them to go over to her,” he said. “She’s always a hoot.”
And he takes the profession seriously. If he knows someone else is dressed as Santa at an event, he will lay low. He asks for a glass of milk at holiday parties, so he is not photographed with a cocktail.
“Santa is the most photographed celebrity in the world,” he said. “A bad photo out there can hurt everyone.”
Bailey is one of the 3,000 or so members of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, who have a code and share tricks of the trade.
And he founded Colonial Santas, a Virginia group with over 120 members. When he can’t make an appearance, he can refer to a bona fide Santa impersonator.
A few years ago, Alphs referred Santa Tom to a friend at Jacobs & Co. in Nokesville, and he has become a staple at the real estate company’s annual holiday parties.
Company owner Scott Jacobs said he was “blown away,” but how personable Bailey is with people of all ages, and he is even impressed by his clothing. “His wardrobe is second to none as he really pays attention to every detail.”
Bailey said he and Alphs have become “very good friends.” At Baskin-Robbins he always has peppermint ice cream and relishes talking to the children. “We just chit-chat. They ask me a gazillion questions,” he said.
Around this time of year, Santa is recognized even out of costume. If children peek at him, he gets out a notebook and begins to scribble. Then he hands them a “you just met Santa card,” with a checklist on how to stay on the nice list. They are often incredulous.
So, one might ask how did Tom Bailey really become Santa?
Bailey says that anyone can be a Santa if they have the right spirit; then the Christmas magic takes over. “There’s no job application. It’s in your heart. If you have it in your heart to be Santa, then you are.”
Stacy Shaw is the contributing editor of Haymarket-Gainesville Lifestyle Magazine and publisher/owner of BristowBeat.com. She enjoys meeting different people in the community and sharing their stories.
Santa Tom 's website issantatom.us.
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