Metro-Detroit man puts heart and soul into performing as Santa Claus

There’s a lot more to portraying Santa at a mall or a private party than your merry old soul might imagine.

For instance, Dearborn resident Mike Beurer — who has performed as Santa since 2018 — learned sign language to communicate with hearing-impaired children, attended a Santa flight school so, if asked, he could explain details of his Christmas Eve journey, and he took a course in toy-making — just in case a 5-year-old asks how a toy truck is made.

Beurer has dove all-in while performing as Santa ever since his wife, Staci (who portrays Mrs. Claus at events), needed someone to play Santa for a photo shoot.

“The second I got my first smile from a child, I was hooked, admitted Beurer.

Beurer is among the most-knowledgeable people around when it comes to the history of Santa Claus and every characteristic a card-carrying St. Nick needs to know.

Michigan home to oldest Santa school

He credits his vast Santa knowledge to his annual attendance at Midland’s 87-year-0ld Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School (the oldest school of its kind in the world), where he now teaches courses to Santa wannabes.

“The first time I went in 2019, there were around 450 people there, including people who portray Mrs. Claus,” Beurer. “There were people from around the world there, including Germany, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

“You learn the history of Saint Nick and Santa Claus and all the traditions that come with the history. You learn all about beards and Santa suits. A lot of Santas I met grow their own beard like I do; others wear designer beards, which are so realistic you can’t tell the difference between them and real beards.”

Beurer has also learned the art of how to answer difficult questions smoothly.

“For instance, if a child asks me for a puppy or a ferret, I have to explain to them that there are a few too many moving parts for Santa and his elves to put together,” Beurer said, chuckling.

Eye-opening gift requests?

What are some of the most unique gift requests Beurer has heard recently?

“I’ve been hearing more requests for retro toys, like yo-yos,” he said. “So if a child asks for a yo-yo, I’ll ask them if they want a competition yo-yo or a regular one.

“If a child asks me for a video game, I’ll say, ‘You mean like Pong?’ I smile and they tell me what exact game.”

Beurer also has learned how handle situations that tug at his heartstrings.

“One little boy who I talked to had just lost his brother to an illness and he asked me if I could bring him back,” Beurer said. “I said, ‘No, I can’t. But the next time you get a chance, look up in the nighttime sky and pick out a star. Every night you see that star, you’ll know your brother is with you.”

From dire to light-hearted

Beurer recalled a situation one of his colleagues experienced that went from dire to light-hearted.

“He thought a little boy asked him for bone marrow, which choked him up a little,” Beurer said. “When Santa started to explain that was beyond his capabilities, the little boy’s mom told Santa her son actually wanted a bow and arrow.”

Beurer said the traditional family trip to the local shopping mall to visit Santa has pivoted since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the malls struggling due to several factors, including online shopping, we work more at private parties at homes or rental halls,” Beurer said.

Beurer participates in multiple parades each holiday season — and he was even asked to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Detroit Tigers baseball game this past summer.

Helping wannabe Santas

Beurer, who has taken classes in improvisation, and a fellow Santa performer host a YouTube show called “The Kringle Brothers”, which offers information and advice — for instance, one reason episode focused on story-telling — to people who are entering the Santa-performing field.

Beurer said the best Santa-related advice he’s read is credited to the Midland Santa Claus School founder Charles W. However, who said:

“He errs who thinks Santa enters through the chimney. Santa enters through the heart.”                         

Merry Christmas from everyone at Social House News!