It’s normally the most wonderful time of the year. But for professional Santas, the coronavirus has presented major conundrums this holiday season.
“A few months ago, we had a group of Santas get on a Zoom, just like any other job,” Texas St. Nick Barry Swindall told The Post. “We shared ideas about what we could still do.”
Swindall is also one of the subjects in photographer Ron Cooper’s new book, “We Are Santa: Portraits and Profiles.” The tome captures some of America’s most creative and devoted professionals.
“Some kids have asked for Santa to take away COVID. I say, ‘If Santa had the magic to do it, he would have,’” said Swindall. “We need Santa and the Christmas spirit more than ever.”
At just 20 years old, Hunter Woodson is one of the youngest Santas on the circuit. He first dressed up at the age of 3, when his great-grandma made him a suit out of a red jogging ensemble and a fake beard from CVS, then went pro in high school. That’s when he learned being St. Nick came with complications.
“A little girl told me her dad was in Africa and she wanted him to come home for Christmas. What do you say to that?” he told The Post. “I froze, but thankfully her mom stepped in and saved my butt.”
Woodson has worked gigs at schools, a local ski resort and private parties. He’s attended six Santa schools, owns nine suits and recently bought a circa-1858 sleigh that he’s going to fix up for photo ops — hopefully for 2021.
“But this year, I had to cancel most visits. I did the local parade and some visits on a porch, and we are working on the Internet stuff, too,” Woodson told The Post. Still, he has interacted with enough kids to know they’re all after the elusive PlayStation 5.
Photo: Getty Images