Just about anyone could go to a costume shop and rent or buy a Santa Claus suit for someone to wear at their event. So, why should you consider hiring a Professional Santa?

A true Professional Santa takes a lot of time to prepare for their role. They study the history of Santa, and keep up with the latest additions to Santa's story (e.g., Movies and Television stories, Elf on the Shelf, etc.). They will have learned how to address issues children might have with a Santa visit, and know that they are working with their clients to help maintain the magic for their families. You can expect Santa to have a gentle, caring demeanor, and look their best for your visit.

Santa Tom is usually available throughout the year, but especially in November and December. He is available most weekdays, evenings, and weekends, although Sunday and Wednesday mornings are usually reserved for personal errands. Regretfully, Christmas Eve visits have been booked solid for several years, as Santa visits the same families each year on that day.

Santa Tom's rates vary based on the length and type of visit and travel time from his base of operations in Toledo. There is a significant discount for children's charities and community events.

Visits are scheduled as they are requested. Santa Tom expects his schedule to fill up quickly, so call early if you need a visit at a specific time! E-mail is recommended, or use our Contact Form to avoid having young ears listen to your phone calls!

Santa Tom will tailor his visit to your specifications. He will take some time to discuss your needs prior to his arrival, so that his visit will be unique and special! Typically, he will:

• Speak one-on-one with your Children and Guests
• Pose for Photographs
• Hand out Gifts
• Sing or Lead Christmas Carols
• Read one or more Christmas Related stories

If you have guests who need special accomodations (light/sound sensitivities, accessibility, etc.), please let Santa Tom know beforehand, so he can be prepared to assist as needed.

We recommend that you provide a sturdy chair or bench for Santa to use while visiting. Folding chairs are not acceptable, since they are not designed to support two people! Overstuffed armchairs and recliners make it difficult to sit nicely for photographs. Santa needs to be able to sit upright, and not be overly relaxed. A dining room chair is preferable.

If gifts are to be given, please make certain that no child is left without a gift! Remember to use special "Santa Only" wrapping paper, so children don't notice that their folks have the same wrapping. Please clearly mark the name of the child on the wrapping. Do not use loose tags, as they tend to get detached easily. If the spelling of a name might not be easily pronounced, please let Santa know beforehand!

You may preset the gifts onsite (on a table or under the tree), or have Santa bring them in! Santa's bag is large enough to hold a 30 gallon lawn and leaf type plastic bag. You may pack the gifts in the bag and leave them outside so Santa can pick them up when he arrives. Please leave them where Santa will see them, but not where they can be seen by children checking the windows! Also, please do not use plastic bags that advertise a business (e.g., grocery bags).

For children's parties in your home, Santa Tom will use information you provide to make his visit extra special. You may provide Santa with information about the children beforehand, so he can greet them by name, and talk about their interests and accomplishments (things Santa should know, of course!). Arrangements can be made for Santa to have your gifts placed in his pack before his arrival, and to address any specific needs or concerns. Please read the section above on "What to Expect from a Visit" for more information.

For visits to your Daycare or Classroom, Santa Tom can entertain the children with songs and stories, in addition to the usual visits. He will read favorite Christmas books, lead children in singing familiar carols, and relate stories of Christmas and Santa's History. Santa can also distribute gifts if that would be appropriate.

For office parties at business locations and banquet halls, you may choose to have Santa Tom mingle with your guests and assist with any formal presentations you may have, in addition to greeting your guests and posing for photographs. For family parties, Santa will gladly take time to speak with each child individually and distribute presents as with a private home visit. It is often easier to pre-set the gifts on a table, and have an assistant bring the gifts to Santa as he visits with each child.

Santa can also visit with your regular customers during the course of your daily business! Please let Santa know if this is the type of visit you would like, as there are special rates for this.

Santa Tom offers special rates for charities helping children. Santa will tailor the visit to your needs, whether you want a home style visit with a group, or a corporate style visit with your sponsors and patrons.

Santa Tom is available to appear at various community events, including Parades, Tree Lightings, and Toy Drives. While Santa enjoys public civic events, he regrets that he cannot appear at partisan political rallies.

Santa Tom had his first appearances for friends and family in Western NY, during his final year in High School in December 1978. He made his first major appearances at the Boulevard Mall in Amherst, NY in 1988. After a brief time in Pittsburgh, PA, he joined his wife in Toledo in 1993. He continued to visit primarily for friends and co-workers until he founded Toledo Santa LLC in 2005. He has made over one thousand visits at homes and business throughout NW Ohio and SE Michigan since then, including at Downtown Wonderland and The Toledo Zoo.

Santa Tom has been seen at the annual 13ABC / WTVG Hope for the Holidays Drive Through Toy Drive since it began in 2011. He has appeared in the Toledo Blade Holiday Parade and at the City of Toledo Tree Lighting at the Ottawa Park Ice Rink since 2019. He enjoys working with several Cub Scout packs distributing their Pinewood Derby kits, and other charities in NW Ohio.

Santa Tom is a member of the following Organizations:

• Buckeye Santas – Founding Member
• Clan Claus Society – Charter Member
• IBRBS – Life Member
• Red Suit Society – IUSC Alumni
• Destination Toledo – Convention & Visitors Bureau

On December 21, 2021, Santa Tom was inducted into the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame. There were nine people in the Class of 2021. You can visit their website to View Santa Tom's information and that of other inductees.

Santa Tom participates in various workshops and training events for the Christmas Performer community nationwide. He was a presentor at the first Discover Santa convention held in Branson, MO in July 2006.

He has attended the International University of Santa Claus (a 2-day traveling workshop) several times, where he earned his PhD in Santaclausology by presenting part of the workshop. In 2023, he was trained and certified to serve individuals with Autism and Neurodiversity by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education, and attended the Christmas Performers Workshop in Michigan.

Santa Tom is also an experienced actor and singer. He has appeared on stage in plays and musicals in Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Bowling Green, Ann Arbor, Monroe, and the Toledo area, performing with The Village Players, Waterville Playshop, 3B Productions, and Harvest Theatre.

Santa Tom maintains Liability Insurance and has an annual Background Check. Copies of these documents are available upon request.

"Santa Tom really did a stupendous job. I was amazed at what a complete package he is!! Now, when I imagine Santa Claus, I see him! Santa Tom was also so thoughtful in the way he treated everyone and always in character. We grownups were impressed with his singing performance, too."

—Susan N., Holland, Ohio

"Santa Tom did a wonderful job and the children were just amazed. The adults also commented on how genuine and wonderful he was. A few of the children are just at that age where they either do not believe or were starting to wonder if Santa was real. I found out later that many of those children are now still true believers! They could not figure out how Santa knew just what they liked or wanted."

—BethAnne H., Metamora, Ohio

"I would highly recommend Santa Tom for your family event. He is very good with children and handles himself in a very professional manner. I can assure you, you will be very pleased."

—Bill L., Toledo, Ohio

"I've had the pleasure to see Santa Tom in action at several large holiday gatherings. He not only looks like the real Kris Kringle, but acts like it as well. I can't imagine a better Santa. He's great with both the kids and the adults."

—David W., Petersburg, Michigan