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The man behind the beard: Gateway Santa does it for the kids

Dec 2, 2016 | 11:00 AM

It takes a man not only large of pant, but large of heart to fill Santa Claus’ considerable shoes.

Tyler Wozniak, 28, one of the two Santas at the Gateway Mall this year, said he has always enjoyed his job.

“I like seeing kids happy, that’s all that matters to me,” he said. “You have to keep happy so the kids can be happy; always show them attention. Doesn’t matter if they are walking by or not. You wave to them, you smile at them, you just talk to them; kids will just love you.”

This was the second year Wozniak has worked at the mall. When not decked in his best red suit, he is a father of two and a school bus driver,

“Every kid seems to enjoy my company,” he said with a smile.

The strangest Christmas request Wozniak has received so far, was a little boy asked for a new brother.

“He didn’t say younger, older or anything, he just said a new brother,” he said. “That is just a normal thing for little (kids).”

Most requests, however, are about new toys. According to Wozniak, the kids this Christmas season are asking for My Little Pony Shopkins and Xboxes.

When it comes to difficult kids, Wozniak said it comes with the territory. Those crying or uncooperative may fear the beard, because they’re simply “not used to Santa yet.”

“We just keep trying, tell them to come back next time, and eventually they’ll warm up to you,” he said. “(It) usually takes two or three visits (and) they’ll calm down.”

He’s even had his share of nonbelievers. Children have told him they don’t believe in Santa.

“I just asked them, if you don’t believe in Santa, then why am I sitting here? And they just went, ‘oh, I guess I never thought of that,’” he said.

“I believe in Santa, and I’m a fully grown man.”

 

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