Meet Phil and Dottie Close, a local couple who appear much differently around Christmastime.
Phil didn’t always like Christmas, as the holiday left him feeling inadequate and struggling to provide more than he could. With five children and being self-employed, “He felt like Christmas was another way he wasn’t good enough,” Dottie said with tears in her eyes, pausing in her voice.
However, as he started turning grey, then white, and with friends suggesting he be a Santa at Christmas, Phil believes God changed his heart. He reconsidered the jolly position and has been playing the roll since 2009. Dottie made his first suit and joined her husband as Mrs. Claus in 2015.
Phil and Dottie have performed as the couple in red at such events as the Polar Express in Bryson City, toy giveaways in Marble as well as events in Greenwood, S.C., and the Peachtree Fire Station. They’ve also done photo shoots and parties in Blairsville, Ga., and Jasper, Ga. This year, the couple will be at Alexander’s Store in Blairsville, Ga., Lake Chatuge and a bazaar in Young Harris, Ga.
Being a Santa takes more than just donning a red velvet suit with white trim. Although not required, schooling is beneficial in helping do the job right and minimizing liability, and the pair have been to plenty of classes. Schooling for Santas teach such topics as hand placement, why you need insurance and how to deal with difficult adults.
Playing the roll of Kris Kringle is not always an easy one. The best part of it all is “seeing the joy on kids’ faces and hearing their wish list and just listening to their chatter,” Dottie said. Sometimes, Mrs. Claus even participates in arts and crafts with children at events.
There are more Santas than one may realize and a child may believe. The couple are members of the International Fellowship of Real Bearded Santas as well as part of the leadership group of Real Bearded Santas of North Georgia.
Being a Santa opens a small window into a child’s life and can be a bit sad from time to time. There are moments when a youngster’s gift request is just wanting a loved one to come back home.
“I really enjoy having a chance to show the love of Christ and the joy of the season to the children and adults that I get to interact with,” Phil said.
Playing the roll of a Santa Claus can be a wonderful opportunity to be a loved character, by both children and those with a childlike spirit. Although they do several events outside of Cherokee County, they desire to be more involved closer to home in Andrews and Murphy.
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