- Create a Magical Christmas Atmosphere: Follow Chris Downing's advice by setting up a designated space with Christmas decorations, fairy lights, and other festive touches to create a magical environment. This space could feature Father Christmas to engage families, making the venue a holiday destination. A well-decorated area will attract customers and enhance their experience.
- Hire a Professional Father Christmas: Invest in a professional Father Christmas who can bring the seasonal cheer to life. This goes beyond a staff member in a DIY costume. A well-executed Father Christmas appearance adds authenticity and a sense of wonder for children, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Offer Photos and Direct Downloads: Ensure that families can take memorable photos with Father Christmas. Provide someone to take the pictures and offer parents the convenience of downloading the photos directly to their emails. This not only gives families a tangible memory but also encourages them to share their experiences, potentially attracting new customers.
Do you believe in Father Christmas? Garden centre managers certainly do. Having Father Christmas around can boost sales by £2,000 a day, enhancing sales during the build up to the 25th December, with additional revenue from parents spending in the coffee shop and on gifts.
Before becoming the modern gift-bringer, Father Christmas was a symbol of English hospitality in the 16th and 17th centuries. He was a figure of winter cheer, feasting, and merrymaking, often depicted with a bowl of wassail (a beverage made from hot mulled cider, ale, or wine and spices. An idea for the bar?). Unlike Santa, who focuses on gift-giving, Father Christmas celebrated abundance and good times. Meanwhile, Americans (thank you Coca Cola) transformed Sinterklaas in his dark green suit into the Santa Claus we know today, complete with reindeer and a red suit.
I had lunch with Chris Downing, a grandfather of seven and Father Christmas to thousands. He takes his seasonal role seriously, knowing it brings significant income to those who hire him. Chris shared tips for hospitality outlets wanting to create a magical experience for families.
🎅🎄 Exciting News! Father Christmas is Coming to Town! 🎄🎅
Mark your calendars, parents! 🎁 Father Christmas will be making a special visit to hand out presents to the children of our regular customers. 🎅✨
🗓 Date: [Insert Date]
⏰ Time: [Insert Time]
Bring your little ones along for a magical experience! ✨ Don't forget to bring your Christmas spirit and your wish lists! 🎁🎉
This is a special moment for our loyal customers, and we can't wait to spread some festive joy! 🎅🎄
#FatherChristmas #HolidayMagic #ChristmasJoy #SpecialVisit #FestiveFun #ThankYouForYourSupport
Chris has a number of tips for those hospitality outlets who wish to reward their regulars by providing a service that appeals to those with children and grandchildren. It appears that it is a little more than a willing member of staff with a cushion up their jumpers.
Chris has provided Innfill full of tips plus a download script to make the experience a source of wonder for children.
Chris recommends advertising when Santa will appear and creating a decorated space with Christmas paraphernalia and coloured lights to set the right atmosphere. For those serious about the role, he suggests investing in a professional costume supplier.
If you want the full kit and caboodle and willing to make an investment for future years have a look at Chris’s suggested list of items, costs, and sources in the download below.
While giving gifts is important, a Father Christmas who forgets presents can still spread cheer and warmth. Chris says teddy bears and tractors are among the top gift choices.
The big takeaway is to have a photo of the occasion. Having a person to hand to take the picture and downloading the shot direct to the parents email is a must. Or at least anticipate most parents will want a shot taken on their phones.