He is making a list. He is checking it twice. And he is visiting every house in South Florida this year!
A note from Santa
It is so lovely coming to town down in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. I know the roofs of every home here, from the big houses down by the water to the small apartments way up high. There are not many chimneys down here, so that is why I always bring my magic key with me!
Down here they call me all sorts of things. Santa Claus, mostly — and San Nicolás, and Papá Noel, and now and then Santi Cló, which I am fond of. Across the water I am Father Christmas, and in French, Père Noël. My oldest name is Saint Nicholas; “Santa Claus” is only what became of it after a few hundred years and an ocean crossing. Every one of them is me, and every one of them is headed to your house with the presents. And in the homes where El Niño Jesús leaves something under the tree as well, I am just as glad.
It is great to take a break from the cold. Did you know that at the North Pole it is cold and dark as night for six months in a row? Down here the sun is bright at Christmas, the reindeer get to rest their legs, and the lights and decorations are still so beautiful even without the snow!
I love to stop by where there are friends and families celebrating and having parties! I like it best when I can sit down and meet with everyone, hear what they might like for Christmas, even if their list is too long! I love to read stories, sing Christmas carols together, and help spread the Christmas cheer.
And of course I love taking photographs with every last cousin. And Abuela too! (Below, I have some of my favorite photos from my visits.)
Oh, and if there are cookies, I will find them.
See you soon,
Santa Claus
P.S. DON'T FORGET THE COOKIES! HO HO HO!
For grown-ups arranging a visitWhere Santa goes
The best is when I can surprise everyone with a visit, right at their home!
I can meet with every child and celebrate them in front of everyone, telling them how good they have been this year! (And maybe a whisper in the ear if there are any areas for improvement.) We can sing songs and I can read a story if there is time.
I keep an eye on grown-ups too. They deserve a visit too, whether it's company gatherings, office parties, or client events.
I am good with a room or a line, and I am especially good with the adults who insist they are only there for the children.
It is magical when I can visit your school. Sometimes I stop by one classroom at a time, or meet with the whole assembly at once.
I feel like the star on top of the tree when I show up in front of all the students!
I like to help out photographers too! Everyone wants beautiful Christmas cards they can send their family and friends.
Folks dress up in their finest holiday clothes, and the most beautiful family portraits happen when I am around!
Hospitals, toy drives, and fundraisers. This is the season of giving, and this is the work I am proudest of.
If you are putting something together for children who could use a visit, have a grown-up write to my elf and he will say what he can do.
Tree lightings, city celebrations, neighborhood processions. Sometimes the mayor invites me to join in on the fun, and sometimes I get to ride a fire truck in a parade!
Even if there is a huge crowd and a long line, I can still sit for photos, and I know how to keep a line moving.
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, 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.”