by Hank Brockett
12/11/02
After a year of pummeling his siblings and disobeying his parents, he stood in line to see Santa Claus. On his lap, he would rattle off all the great new toys he wanted under the Christmas tree this year.
But before reaching Santa’s lap, one of the jolly man’s secret helpers tipped him off to the true story. Somewhere, the soundtrack faintly played ...
He’s making a list, checking it twice
Going to find out who’s naughty or nice ...
As he reached Santa’s lap, the man in the red suit asked simply if the boy had been good this year. Then, in a low voice, Santa dropped a Yuletide bombshell. He knew.
On that day, the boy’s eyes grew wide and his voice stayed silent. Somehow, he worked up the words to admit he would change his ways.
As the boy left Santa’s lap, passing by the line of children with visions of presents dancing in their heads, Santa smiled.
Santa Claus is coming to town.
‘It’s work’
On Saturday during the Braidwood Elementary School Craft Fair, Santa greeted hundreds of kids for nearly five hours straight.
The stream of children broke only for a short five minute break — even Santa has to use the washroom sometimes.
After hearing hundreds of requests (as the children sat on alternating legs to prevent a Grinch-ian cramp), the man known as St. Nick and so many other names took off. There were other children to meet, after all.
As he sat down in his recliner telling of his adventures, nothing on Bob Swisher would give away his secret identity. Sure, the white beard hangs perfectly and the cheeks are rounded just right, but there was something missing.
In a few minutes, though, there could be no doubt. As he zipped up his red coat and tucked his ponytail into his cap, something changed. His cheeks reddened, his eyes squinted and soon one could be forgiven for wanting to tell this man about wished-for toys, no matter the age.
“It’s amazing the power the red suit has,” said the Godley resident.
Swisher dons the red garb every holiday season, and has done so professionally for the past four years as Santa Sightings. After a first year of about eight events, he finds himself flying all over the northern Illinois area meeting children.
Well, mostly children, that is. Swisher’s own start as Santa reveals as much. For nearly 10 years, Swisher and his friends have gone out on their “Christmas shopping day,” which sometimes consists of beverages stronger than eggnog. The day always culminates with a photo on Santa’s lap and big smiles from the Harley-riding gang.
During one of those trips to the Louis Joliet Mall, some sleigh bells rang in his head.
“I made a better lookin’ Santa than that Santa did,” he said.
Now, days like last Saturday are almost the norm between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.
“It’s work,” he said.
Christmas rapport
During events like the annual “Santa Train” in Naperville, this Santa finds more than enough work. The day consists of two round-trip train rides to Chicago with five Santas working the 10 cars.
Add that experience to house calls, donating his time for local Boy Scout troops and other events and it’s enough to keep Swisher and his family busy.
What keeps him coming back, though, are the interactions with the children.
“I usually have more fun than the kids do,” he said.
This conflicts what he sees in some of the others who don the red apparel, Swisher said.
“Most Santas don’t take time with the kids,” he said.
With a candy cane (Santa Sightings goes through hundreds each season) and some attention, Swisher tries to gain the kids’ trust. Most happily oblige, offering him a unique view on a child’s mind. Some of the more memorable moments have included:
• A request for a pet pig
• A young girl asking for a microwave for her mother
• A little boy who wanted a Mustang convertible
Swisher also sees the broader trends. At 10 or 11, boys decline the seat on Santa’s lap, with girls reaching that point at a younger age. And there’s always a few who grow silent when face to face with St. Nick.
In addition to donations of his time, Swisher also gives $5 to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and $5 to local food pantries for the events he is paid.
But he talks more of the little things. For three straight years, a house call to a certain residence always sent one young girl screaming for the closet.
This year, the girl came out.
“I’m still not very Christmas-y, but I really like being Santa,” he said.