Ray Brooks isn’t your average Santa-for-hire come Christmas.
For the past six years, the 58-year-old has played the role of Santa. He’s been a store Santa for some big retailers including Kmart but his real passion is starring as Santa in his own Santa Wonderland event – a fundraiser he holds in the backyard of his home.
It should come as no surprise then that Mr Brooks of Ulverston, Tasmania, who is a former foster parent, might know a thing or two about fielding awkward and difficult questions from the many kids he sees each year.
And despite the fact that playing Santa is plenty of fun for the community-spirited Mr Brooks, he told FEMAIL there’s the odd situation that still throws him.
Ray Brooks (pictured) has been running a community Christmas event for local children for the past six years
Here, FEMAIL asked Mr Brooks, aka Santa, to shed a little light on some of the most common questions he’s been asked and to share his best replies.
Parents take note.
Every year, in the three weeks leading up to Christmas, Mr Brooks festoons his yard with lights, and all things Santa-related, dons his red suit and sets about playing Santa for the local children.
Though he admits the role is one he loves – he fits his Santa gig around his full-time job as a garbologist – it also comes with its share of challenges.
Of all the questions Mr Brooks has been asked over the years, the one children most often want to know is: ‘Are you real?’
Each year Mr Brooks festoons his yard with lights to create a Christmas wonderland
Answering it isn’t just a matter of a simple yes, Mr Brooks said.
Depending on the age and stage of the child, especially if they’re a pre-teen, it’s likely their belief in Santa is starting to waver.
If this is the case, Mr Brooks said he will say he’s one of Santa’s helpers, and the ‘real Santa lives in the North Pole.’
Often though, he’ll take his cue from parents standing nearby who will give him a look that will let him know whether or not it’s okay for him to say he’s the real Santa.
If Mr Brooks is asked if he’s the real deal he won’t just say yes. Instead he’ll try to give the best response possible depending on the age and stage of the child
Additionally playing Santa means Mr Brooks will also field questions about the kinds of toys kids want to receive on Christmas Day.
‘It depends on what they [children] ask for,’ he said. ‘If mum or dad give me a look I might say “Maybe, we’ll have to see if it Santa can fit that into the sleigh and if it doesn’t make fit, we might have to decide on something else”.’
‘I don’t make promises that children will get the present they ask for.’
Santa’s hectic schedule: In addition to hosting his annual event which runs for three weeks, Mr Brooks also has a special postbox and replies to letters personally
As well as Mr Brooks’ community work, he’s also set up a special Santa postbox and said he gets a lot of letters, all of which he takes time to answer personally.
Among these, he said there have been some heartbreaking requests, especially if a child has lost a parent.
‘There are those letters where kids say they haven’t got a mum or a dad or this time last year my dad died – things like that really hit home.
‘It’s really hard, but if those children come to my yard when I am dressed up as Santa, I take those children under my wing and spend as long with them.’
There have been also times when Mr Brooks said he’s been asked by a child if he can bring a parent back.
If he sees children who have lost a parent he take those kids under his wing, giving them as much time with Santa as they need
‘Most of the time I say “Sorry I can’t bring your mum or dad back” then I go on to say that all of these lights in my yard represents someone special and your mum or dad is one of these shining lights.’
Because Mr Brooks hosts this event from his home, his three dogs take part – which usually sparks off a request for a pet, generally puppies.
If parents are standing nearby shaking their heads, he will tell children it’s too cold for Santa to have puppies in the North Pole and too far for them to travel. And it’s a decision for mum and dad to make.
‘If a tear or two is shed, the chocolate comes out. That normally quietens a few.’
If a child sheds a tear or two over news they won’t be getting a puppy at Christmas, Mr Brooks breaks out the chocolate
Kids are also endlessly fascinated with Mr Brooks’ Santa beard – one he admits to having spent quite a few dollars on.
‘It looks real and it often gets pulled. Most of the time I will say ouch but I am sure some of the children know it’s not real.
‘There is the odd child that likes to swing off the beard though.’
Mr Brooks’ absolute commitment to his role as a community Santa means there’s even a sleigh – complete with reindeer – parked out the front of his house.
Mr Brooks and his ‘magic’ sleigh which he tells kids changes into the real thing
‘I often get asked why it’s not real and I say “it is real, it’s magic. When all you children go to bed it changes into the real sleigh and the reindeer and Santa disappear.’
Though Mr Brooks sees hundreds of kids during his community event, staying at the top of his game means making every effort to remember children’s names.
‘If I have done photo shoots with kids, I will often remember their names from year to year.
But he said if they are visiting him for the first time, he sometimes gets a little help.
‘Mum and dad know they are going to ask that question so I always get a little whisper,’ he concluded.