Saddleback/South Beach : Economic Grinch Bad for Santas

By LILY DIZON

Nov. 25, 1993 12 AM PT

This year’s class at the University of Santa Claus in Orange County is a bit different from previous years.

Only two newcomers are enrolled.

Santa trainers blame the shortage of students on the economic Grinch, which has gotten its claws into the budgets for many corporate Christmas parties.

But that didn’t keep Guy Harvey and David Israelsky from jollying it up this week at the class held by the Orange County office of Western Temporary Services in Lake Forest. They went through the same fun-loving, body-stuffing training all Father Christmases must go through before they are released into the world of yuletide commercialism the day after Thanksgiving.

“I had thought the class would be a little bigger,” said Israelsky, a student Santa soon to be a regular St. Nick at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. “But that’s fine . . . (it) leaves more room for me to move around here once I stuff the pillow into the suit.”

Usually the school has about 15 Santas. This year it only has half: two in training and five experienced Santas who already know the job.

“This year, our mall Santas and the retail Santas haven’t been affected,” said Debra Morgan, Western Temporary Services’ Orange County area manager. “But a lot of companies are not having Christmas parties and they’ve cut back the luxury items--and Santa is a luxury.”

Morgan said the reduced demand for Santas is a nationwide trend. Western Temporary employs about 3,000 Santas throughout the country each Christmas season and that number has declined some this year, she said.

Entertainment agencies also report a similar drop in orders for Santa Claus this year.

“We still have our steady customers, but as far as new clients ordering Santas, there’s definitely a decline in the area,” said Dixie Hibbard, owner of A Dixie Doodle Entertainment in Orange.

But at Western Temporary, the Santa class continues. After all, in the small Lake Forest office, there are two ruddy-cheeked men eager to wear pillows.

“It’s a little hot in here and the beard itches,” said Harvey, a 21-year-old Orange Coast College student who is a first-time Santa. “But ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas--I can get used to this.”

Israelsky, a 55-year-old Fountain Valley businessman, has the perfect jolly voice. Deep and friendly but not boisterous. The only problem is that his belly is a bit too lean for the 34- to 55-inch-waisted red suit. Even the pillow didn’t help.

“I see I might have to wear a bigger pillow or even two pillows,” said the grandfather of five as he wiggled to keep the artificial belly from slipping. “Boy, am I going to have fun.”

But, first there are rules that all Santas must learn.

“Santa doesn’t drive a car, Santa doesn’t smoke, Santa must have good personal hygiene and there are no cranky Santa Clauses,” Morgan rattled off. Oh, and remember, Santa is married and therefore does not flirt, she added.

What Morgan didn’t say, a 15-minute instruction video and a print-out list did.

Santa doesn’t endorse, so don’t refer to a toy with its brand name. Don’t promise anything because parents may not be able to deliver. And never go out in public in the Santa suit without the white beard and hair.

“You’d destroy the children’s belief in Santa and you don’t want that, do you?” Morgan said.

A very important tip for an emergency moment known to have happened a few times: If a little one wets on Santa, don’t grimace; smile through it. Santa doesn’t want to scare any child away.

And one last thing, know the names of all the reindeer.

“I don’t know them all,” admitted Jim Holway, a 57-year-old teacher from Costa Mesa who has been Kris Kringle for five years running now. “But usually, the kids ask you where the reindeer are and what they eat.”

For the record, Holway said Rudolph and his associates eat lichen and moss.

For the hired Santas, the fun of being St. Nick comes from their enjoyment with being around children. They said there is a warm feeling when they don the red suit and white hair and beard.

“You put on this suit and you become a myth to them,” said Holway. “ . . . Sometimes, a few kids try to look underneath the beard and see what’s actually there, though. So, I just gently dodge. I am, after all, Santa Claus.”

MISSION VIEJO MALL

* Height of Christmas tree: 30 feet

* Stroller/wheelchair rental: Yes/yes

* Cost of photo with Santa: $6.95

* Santa’s gift: Coloring book

* Mall gift certificate: Yes

* Gift wrap: Yes

* Valet parking: No

* Post office: Yes

* Concierge/info desk: Yes

* Number of temporary stores: 19

* Mall security: Yes