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 been for a very long time. I know the way to every home here — the houses on the water, the apartments up high, the streets where the poinsettias appear in November and nobody minds the heat. There are not many chimneys down here. That is what the magic key is for.
And I will tell you something true: I look forward to this stop all year. The North Pole is cold and dark for months at a time. Down here the air is warm at Christmas, the reindeer get to rest their legs, and somebody always leaves the lights on. There are photographs further down this page.
When I visit, I sit down. I let every child finish — even when the list is long, even when the little ones lose their nerve and start again 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
For grown-ups — arranging a visitWhere Santa goes
There is a knock at the door, and then a great deal of noise.
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.
Invite the cousins and the neighbors if you like. Santa would rather a full house than an empty one.
Company gatherings, office parties, and client events.
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.
A classroom at a time, or the whole assembly at once.
Santa keeps it short for the little ones, and he knows when a room of thirty needs a song rather than a queue.
Santa works alongside your photographer through a long afternoon of short sittings.
He brings his own chair, set and backdrop if you need them, and gives small children as many attempts as they take.
Hospitals, toy drives, and fundraisers. 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.
Tree lightings, city celebrations, neighborhood processions — and arrivals by fire truck.
Santa has done enough of these to know when a line needs moving and when it needs to slow down.
What Santa can do
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 covers Miami-Dade and Broward counties — anywhere inside about a forty-five minute sleigh drive. Surrounding areas by request. 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 email 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.”