Becki and Lenny Stratton get dressed for a full day of performing as Mr. and Mrs. Claus on December 3, 2022. A Christmas blanket adorns their bed and a decorated tree is in each room of their Shelburne, Mass. home. Becki has a vast walk-in closet, m

Becki and Lenny Stratton get dressed for a full day of performing as Mr. and Mrs. Claus on December 3, 2022. A Christmas blanket adorns their bed and a decorated tree is in each room of their Shelburne, Mass. home. Becki has a vast walk-in closet, most of which is taken up by Claus attire. The Strattons have some “normal” clothes, but the Santa to her Mrs. Claus, her husband, Lenny, wears mostly red all year long. There’s a shelf full of wigs in frosted white, but Becki demurs: She’s finally gone all silver and this will be her first year au natural.

Rick Banks closes his eyes as his wife Anne uses a toothbrush to apply white theatre paint to his mustache on December 10, 2022. The Banks have always loved Christmas. When Rick ran multiple portrait studios across the state, he would watch the mall

Rick Banks closes his eyes as his wife Anne uses a toothbrush to apply white theatre paint to his mustache on December 10, 2022. The Banks have always loved Christmas. When Rick ran multiple portrait studios across the state, he would watch the mall Santas with envy.

“You're either gonna do it, or you're not going to do it, ” Anne told Rick about five years ago. “Just get in the suit.”

Soon after, Anne became president of the New England Santa Society.

Bob Jordan puts on his Santa suit while in the office of his Framingham, Mass. home on December 2, 2022. He has the office decorated like Santa’s workshop; tools lining the walls and carefully wrapped Christmas presents rest behind his chair. It cam

Bob Jordan puts on his Santa suit while in the office of his Framingham, Mass. home on December 2, 2022. He has the office decorated like Santa’s workshop; tools lining the walls and carefully wrapped Christmas presents rest behind his chair. It came in handy during the pandemic when Santa visits had to be done over Zoom. Jordan is proud of his carefully curated room. Unlike most of his Santa associates who had to use green screens, Jordan used the background of his real-life workshop.

“You're referred to as Santa everywhere you go,” says Bob Jordan. “I’m a Santa Claus. That's all there is to it. I'm a Santa Claus. And I'm not embarrassed by it.”

A retired truck driver of 43 years, Bob Jordan was mentored by his wife’s step-father Ron Pynn, a Santa of three decades. For Jordan, it felt like a calling. “I'm doing something I should have been doing a long time ago,” Jordan says. “It's the best decision I ever made in my life.”

Rick Banks finishes getting dressed while at his Chichester, NH home on December 10, 2022. He’s chosen to wear his “Adele” Santa suit today. That’s the velvet one with gold brocade embellishments, reindeer buttons, and a silk-lined cape. It is the A

Rick Banks finishes getting dressed while at his Chichester, NH home on December 10, 2022. He’s chosen to wear his “Adele” Santa suit today. That’s the velvet one with gold brocade embellishments, reindeer buttons, and a silk-lined cape. It is the Armani of Santa couture, made by a well-known designer of the trade, and an actual Christmas gift from his wife, Anne, one year.

“I wish all my shirts were made of silk,” Banks shouts down to Anne in the first-floor bathroom, where she is painting her dark hair silver with theater makeup.

With traces of gingerbread perfume and Christmas cheer in the air, the Mr. and Mrs. Claus couple rush off to their gig, until Anne abruptly exclaims: “Son of a biscuit!”

Lenny and Becki Stratton arrive to a home visit in Shelburne, Mass. on December 11, 2022. A cookie swap with an extended family, it’s the first home visit that the Stratton’s ever had — almost ten years ago.

Lenny and Becki Stratton arrive to a home visit in Shelburne, Mass. on December 11, 2022. A cookie swap with an extended family, it’s the first home visit that the Stratton’s ever had — almost ten years ago.

Daunte Russo places his hand on the belt of Santa Claus, portrayed by Lenny Stratton, during a home visit with Mrs. Claus, portrayed by Becki Stratton, at the Russo’s home on December 3, 2022. It’s their fifth stop today as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, with

Daunte Russo places his hand on the belt of Santa Claus, portrayed by Lenny Stratton, during a home visit with Mrs. Claus, portrayed by Becki Stratton, at the Russo’s home on December 3, 2022. It’s their fifth stop today as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, with one more to go before they can retire to their Shelburne, Mass. home.

One-and-half-year old Adalynn Knapp cries after realizing that her mother placed her onto the lap of Santa Claus, portrayed by Rick Banks, on December 10, 2022. Her five-year-old sister Alayla Panzino sits happily with Mrs. Claus, Anne Banks. Suiti

One-and-half-year old Adalynn Knapp cries after realizing that her mother placed her onto the lap of Santa Claus, portrayed by Rick Banks, on December 10, 2022. Her five-year-old sister Alayla Panzino sits happily with Mrs. Claus, Anne Banks.

Suiting up as a Santa means constantly improving their craft, Rick Banks says. Every year, the couple attends workshops, Santa dinners, a Santa camp in August, and conferences where they exchange tools-of-the-trade with the Christmas community.

Every weekday during the Christmas season, Rick Banks spends some time after work in his “man cave,” memorizing the Santa jokes and children’s stories from a stack of well-worn index cards. There’s even a textbook of sorts: “Santa Claus: The Book of Secrets” by Russell Ince. He estimates he’s read it hundreds of times.

Warren Jacques, 7, and Santa Claus, portrayed by Lenny Stratton, nibble on some cookies while inspecting the grand display of baked goods at the Jacques’ family annual cookie swap on December 11, 2022. The Stratton’s have been visiting the Jacques

Warren Jacques, 7, and Santa Claus, portrayed by Lenny Stratton, nibble on some cookies while inspecting the grand display of baked goods at the Jacques’ family annual cookie swap on December 11, 2022. The Stratton’s have been visiting the Jacques family since the beginning of their Claus careers — almost ten years ago.

Rick Banks pulls out the ingredients to make his famous “Rick Muffin” early in the morning on December 10, 2022. Banks and his wife Anne, the Mrs. Claus to his Santa, have a full day today. They begin with a 7:45 a.m. pancake breakfast and conclude

Rick Banks pulls out the ingredients to make his famous “Rick Muffin” early in the morning on December 10, 2022. Banks and his wife Anne, the Mrs. Claus to his Santa, have a full day today. They begin with a 7:45 a.m. pancake breakfast and conclude at 10pm with a private party.

Lenny and Becki Stratton sit at 99 Restaurant in Greenfield, Mass. and go over their Claus schedule for the week on December 11, 2022. There are two weeks left until Christmas and they don’t have many days left open. The couple makes sure to keep th

Lenny and Becki Stratton sit at 99 Restaurant in Greenfield, Mass. and go over their Claus schedule for the week on December 11, 2022. There are two weeks left until Christmas and they don’t have many days left open. The couple makes sure to keep the evening of Christmas Eve to themselves, though. They will exchange their Claus suits for their church clothes and attend church for the first time since the Christmas season began.

Becki and Lenny Stratton get dressed for a full day of performing as Mr. and Mrs. Claus on December 3, 2022. A Christmas blanket adorns their bed and a decorated tree is in each room of their Shelburne, Mass. home. Becki has a vast walk-in closet, m
Rick Banks closes his eyes as his wife Anne uses a toothbrush to apply white theatre paint to his mustache on December 10, 2022. The Banks have always loved Christmas. When Rick ran multiple portrait studios across the state, he would watch the mall
Bob Jordan puts on his Santa suit while in the office of his Framingham, Mass. home on December 2, 2022. He has the office decorated like Santa’s workshop; tools lining the walls and carefully wrapped Christmas presents rest behind his chair. It cam
Rick Banks finishes getting dressed while at his Chichester, NH home on December 10, 2022. He’s chosen to wear his “Adele” Santa suit today. That’s the velvet one with gold brocade embellishments, reindeer buttons, and a silk-lined cape. It is the A
Lenny and Becki Stratton arrive to a home visit in Shelburne, Mass. on December 11, 2022. A cookie swap with an extended family, it’s the first home visit that the Stratton’s ever had — almost ten years ago.
Daunte Russo places his hand on the belt of Santa Claus, portrayed by Lenny Stratton, during a home visit with Mrs. Claus, portrayed by Becki Stratton, at the Russo’s home on December 3, 2022. It’s their fifth stop today as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, with
One-and-half-year old Adalynn Knapp cries after realizing that her mother placed her onto the lap of Santa Claus, portrayed by Rick Banks, on December 10, 2022. Her five-year-old sister Alayla Panzino sits happily with Mrs. Claus, Anne Banks. Suiti
Warren Jacques, 7, and Santa Claus, portrayed by Lenny Stratton, nibble on some cookies while inspecting the grand display of baked goods at the Jacques’ family annual cookie swap on December 11, 2022. The Stratton’s have been visiting the Jacques
Rick Banks pulls out the ingredients to make his famous “Rick Muffin” early in the morning on December 10, 2022. Banks and his wife Anne, the Mrs. Claus to his Santa, have a full day today. They begin with a 7:45 a.m. pancake breakfast and conclude
Lenny and Becki Stratton sit at 99 Restaurant in Greenfield, Mass. and go over their Claus schedule for the week on December 11, 2022. There are two weeks left until Christmas and they don’t have many days left open. The couple makes sure to keep th

Becki and Lenny Stratton get dressed for a full day of performing as Mr. and Mrs. Claus on December 3, 2022. A Christmas blanket adorns their bed and a decorated tree is in each room of their Shelburne, Mass. home. Becki has a vast walk-in closet, most of which is taken up by Claus attire. The Strattons have some “normal” clothes, but the Santa to her Mrs. Claus, her husband, Lenny, wears mostly red all year long. There’s a shelf full of wigs in frosted white, but Becki demurs: She’s finally gone all silver and this will be her first year au natural.

Rick Banks closes his eyes as his wife Anne uses a toothbrush to apply white theatre paint to his mustache on December 10, 2022. The Banks have always loved Christmas. When Rick ran multiple portrait studios across the state, he would watch the mall Santas with envy.

“You're either gonna do it, or you're not going to do it, ” Anne told Rick about five years ago. “Just get in the suit.”

Soon after, Anne became president of the New England Santa Society.

Bob Jordan puts on his Santa suit while in the office of his Framingham, Mass. home on December 2, 2022. He has the office decorated like Santa’s workshop; tools lining the walls and carefully wrapped Christmas presents rest behind his chair. It came in handy during the pandemic when Santa visits had to be done over Zoom. Jordan is proud of his carefully curated room. Unlike most of his Santa associates who had to use green screens, Jordan used the background of his real-life workshop.

“You're referred to as Santa everywhere you go,” says Bob Jordan. “I’m a Santa Claus. That's all there is to it. I'm a Santa Claus. And I'm not embarrassed by it.”

A retired truck driver of 43 years, Bob Jordan was mentored by his wife’s step-father Ron Pynn, a Santa of three decades. For Jordan, it felt like a calling. “I'm doing something I should have been doing a long time ago,” Jordan says. “It's the best decision I ever made in my life.”

Rick Banks finishes getting dressed while at his Chichester, NH home on December 10, 2022. He’s chosen to wear his “Adele” Santa suit today. That’s the velvet one with gold brocade embellishments, reindeer buttons, and a silk-lined cape. It is the Armani of Santa couture, made by a well-known designer of the trade, and an actual Christmas gift from his wife, Anne, one year.

“I wish all my shirts were made of silk,” Banks shouts down to Anne in the first-floor bathroom, where she is painting her dark hair silver with theater makeup.

With traces of gingerbread perfume and Christmas cheer in the air, the Mr. and Mrs. Claus couple rush off to their gig, until Anne abruptly exclaims: “Son of a biscuit!”

Lenny and Becki Stratton arrive to a home visit in Shelburne, Mass. on December 11, 2022. A cookie swap with an extended family, it’s the first home visit that the Stratton’s ever had — almost ten years ago.

Daunte Russo places his hand on the belt of Santa Claus, portrayed by Lenny Stratton, during a home visit with Mrs. Claus, portrayed by Becki Stratton, at the Russo’s home on December 3, 2022. It’s their fifth stop today as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, with one more to go before they can retire to their Shelburne, Mass. home.

One-and-half-year old Adalynn Knapp cries after realizing that her mother placed her onto the lap of Santa Claus, portrayed by Rick Banks, on December 10, 2022. Her five-year-old sister Alayla Panzino sits happily with Mrs. Claus, Anne Banks.

Suiting up as a Santa means constantly improving their craft, Rick Banks says. Every year, the couple attends workshops, Santa dinners, a Santa camp in August, and conferences where they exchange tools-of-the-trade with the Christmas community.

Every weekday during the Christmas season, Rick Banks spends some time after work in his “man cave,” memorizing the Santa jokes and children’s stories from a stack of well-worn index cards. There’s even a textbook of sorts: “Santa Claus: The Book of Secrets” by Russell Ince. He estimates he’s read it hundreds of times.

Warren Jacques, 7, and Santa Claus, portrayed by Lenny Stratton, nibble on some cookies while inspecting the grand display of baked goods at the Jacques’ family annual cookie swap on December 11, 2022. The Stratton’s have been visiting the Jacques family since the beginning of their Claus careers — almost ten years ago.

Rick Banks pulls out the ingredients to make his famous “Rick Muffin” early in the morning on December 10, 2022. Banks and his wife Anne, the Mrs. Claus to his Santa, have a full day today. They begin with a 7:45 a.m. pancake breakfast and conclude at 10pm with a private party.

Lenny and Becki Stratton sit at 99 Restaurant in Greenfield, Mass. and go over their Claus schedule for the week on December 11, 2022. There are two weeks left until Christmas and they don’t have many days left open. The couple makes sure to keep the evening of Christmas Eve to themselves, though. They will exchange their Claus suits for their church clothes and attend church for the first time since the Christmas season began.

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