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Adeline Kennedy had already shared her Christmas list of stuffed animals, figurine cars and Paw Patrol toys with Santa Claus, but she wanted to come back to his workshop one more time to see him again. Her dad, David Kennedy, said the experience was magical for his daughter. It’s a tradition that gets them both in the Christmas spirit every year.

The Santa they saw was Jim Bay, a professional Santa. He’s part of a group of actors who occupy Destiny Mall’s main lobby during the holiday season. The Christmas icon listens to wishes and spreads spirit until Christmas Eve.

Jim’s real-life Mrs. Claus, Laura Bay, said Jim’s work as Santa started out as an interesting hobby during his retirement, but her husband has found the work rewarding.

“I think he’s found out that interacting with the children, the parents and some of the other people that have come to see him have been very, very emotional and moving experiences,” Laura said.

Santa’s one of the most recognizable figures in pop culture, and the promise of his presence — and presents — leaves large shoes to fill. Every December, lists are written, sleighs are tracked and gifts are addressed under his name.

Jim has lots of experience handling the role. Since retiring from his teaching career, he’s worked as a Santa for 10 years, including in malls for four. All it took Jim was a quick Google search to find opportunities. Since beginning his work as a Santa at a dog rescue program, Jim has now worked in Binghamton, New York, Milford, Connecticut, and now in Syracuse’s Destiny Mall.

When he’s working at Destiny, the energy around Jim’s Santa is abundantly clear, with kids yelling and waving from the many balconies of the six-level mall.

Destina Mills works at Destiny alongside Jim, taking pictures of Santa with eager kids and ringing up excited parents who just scored a photo for their holiday card. After spending so much time around Santas this season, Mills knows the qualities of a good one. Santa is kind-hearted, has pure intentions and always knows what to say, she said. Jim is successful with all of these.

“Really, he just brings in a lot of smiles, and he just really makes the kids happy, and that just makes me happy,” Mills said.

Courtesy of Jim Bay

Laura Bay said her husband’s experience working with multiple age levels and abilities helps him create a positive experience.

Laura said that part of what makes Jim so good at the job is his work experience as a teacher. He was a special education teacher for 35 years, and worked for the last 25 years of his career for the State of New York and Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services.

She said her husband’s experiences working with multiple age and ability levels helps him create a positive experience for anyone excited to meet Santa. She said Jim understands how to approach people in a welcoming way.

“Santa Claus can sometimes be intimidating, especially to small children. I think Jim does a great job of giving the children space and time and attention,” Laura said.

For children with special needs, taking a picture with Santa can be especially difficult, Mills said. Jim always has the patience to take extra time to understand what the child is saying, which is meaningful for parents, Mills said.

The joy that comes from seeing Santa isn’t just limited to younger children. Jim said some of the most emotional moments of his work have been with adults with dementia. Jim recalled an instance when a man brought his wife, who had advanced dementia, to meet Santa.

“She really relived that childhood experience with Santa, and was just so overjoyed,” Jim said.

Jim stays busy during the Christmas off-season. He enjoys traveling and golf, works part-time at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital and covers the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks for hockeywriters.com. But his work as Santa stands out.

“The interaction with the children is priceless,” Jim said. “Everyone is different, because you’ll come up and you’ll get the kids that are scared and won’t come up to you, and the kids that are overjoyed.”

Published on December 12, 2024 at 1:27 am