He is making a list. He is checking it twice. And he knows the way to every house in South Florida.
A note from Santa
It has always been that way. I know the way to every home in South Florida — the houses on the water, the apartments up high, the streets where the poinsettias come out in November and nobody minds the heat. There are not many chimneys down here. That is what my key is for.
I have been coming a very long time, and I will tell you a secret: I look forward to it. The Pole is cold and it is dark for months. Down here the air is warm at Christmas, and the reindeer can rest their legs. I keep a few photographs from my visits. They are further down this page.
When I come, I sit down. I listen to every child all the way to the end — even when the list is long, even when the little ones lose their nerve and have to start over twice. I read stories. I lead the carols, and I know all the verses. I collect every Christmas list.
And I stay for the photographs. Every last cousin.
If there are cookies, I will find them.
— Santa Claus
What Santa does
Half an hour or a whole day. Tell his elf what the day looks like and he will say what it needs.
Santa comes to the door, and the house goes very quiet for about four seconds. Then it doesn’t.
He hands out the gifts, hears every wish, takes down every list, and reads a story if there is time. Grandparents included — they are often the ones who want a word.
Santa brings the whole set: the chair, the backdrop, and the patience for a long afternoon of short visits.
Good for a neighbourhood, a school, a studio, or a few families splitting the day between them. Small children get as many attempts as they need.
Company parties, tree lightings, and city celebrations.
Santa is good with a room and better with a queue, and he is especially good with the adults who insist they are only there for the children.
Santa will lead the singing. He knows the words to more of them than you do, and he is not shy.
Bring anyone who can carry a tune. He will cover for the rest.
This is the work Santa is proudest of.
If you are putting something together for children who could use a visit, have a grown-up write to his elf and he will say what he can do.
The North Pole is cold and dark for most of the year, so Santa takes his one afternoon off down here. Boots off, somewhere between the umbrella and the water.
If that is the Santa you want, say so. He is warmer in the red velvet than he lets on, and he rather prefers the lounge chair.
From Santa’s album
The elves say I take too many.
Photographs by their photographers, used with permission.
Show this page to a grown-up. They will know what to do.
For grown-ups
Write to Ernie Millares, Santa’s booking elf for South Florida, and he will arrange everything — dates, details, and the paperwork Santa would rather not carry. He answers every message himself, usually within a day.
Santa serves Miami, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding cities, travelling about twenty miles from Hollywood as a matter of course and further by arrangement. Visits run from half an hour to a full day, in English or in Spanish.
Every visit is quoted to the day and the hour. Write to Ernie with what you have in mind and he will send a number back.
A deposit of half reserves the date; the balance is due on the day. If your plans change with two weeks’ notice or more, the deposit is returned in full. Inside two weeks, Ernie will try to fill the slot and refund you if he manages it.
Ernie Millares · Santa’s booking elf, South Florida
santa@santamiami.com · (786) 664-8386
Yes — that is Santa’s address. Ernie reads his mail.
Kind words
“Santa … will always be with us.”
“Even when they went a little crazy with excitement he was so patient with all of them. Had them all sing songs, gave presents and was super patient for all the pictures.”
“Santa Miami is beyond amazing … his kind smile with the children, all top tier.”
“He was very engaging with our employees. He is very entertaining and made everyone excited.”