Hire a Santa
The Perfect Santa—and Mrs. Claus
for Any Event
Looking for a great Chicago area Santa Claus? Santa and Mrs. Claus, located in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago are semi-retired non-smokers, who are the parents of three adult children and nine grandchildren. Both Santa and Mrs. Claus are happy, outgoing people who are at ease in everything from small intimate gatherings to large crowds where a big entrance is required. They love children and know how to make any visit a truly memorable occasion. Santa has had plenty of experience in malls, at private and company parties, home visits, village promotions
and much more. Scroll down the page for Santa's 2011 rates.
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Want to Surprise Your Loved One with that Really Special Christmas Gift?
Hire a Santa!
How about letting Santa deliver it for you? Can you imagine the surprise and joy on a child’s face if Santa shows up at your house on Christmas morning, and says, “I forgot to drop this off when I was here last night so I hope you don’t mind that I came back today.” Another scenario, say you have a gift for that special person. Santa could deliver, that present or even an engagement ring for your loved one at a home, party, restaurant, or any place for that matter. One more idea, Santa could drive up in that new car for that someone special. I think you get the idea, the possibilities are endless.
How about giving someone a gift they will remember forever? Then make a Santa’s visit a present. Incidentally Santa is available year around, not just at Christmas time. For example this Santa will come to a child’s birthday party anytime of the year, not just in December so keep this in mind when making your plans.
“Santa is Trusted and Verified”
Call now—Everyone wants Santa Claus on a Weekend or Christmas Eve!
It seems like everyone wants Santa on the same weekend or Christmas Eve. Santa is still available on many days—but don't wait, call now.
A Little Girl Receives a Christmas Visit from Santa
Wow a Visit from Santa!
Santa is available year around for any of the following:
Commercials
Photo shoots
Malls
Parades
Store Promotions
Corporate Parties & Events
Community Events
Restaurants & Hotels
Home Visits
Private Photo Sessions
Stories with Santa
Family Parties
School Events
Church Events
Daycare Centers
Hospital Visits
Media Articles
Senior Center Events
Radio and TV Interviews
Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners with Santa
City, Town and Village Tree Lightings & Festivals
Christmas in July parties and promotions
Need a Last Minute Santa Claus?
If you find you are stuck at the very last minute and for some reason your Santa is a no-show, give us a call. If we are available we’ll be your Santa even for last minute or emergency bookings. Call us at 630-837-9241.
John "The Chicagoland Santa" Sullivan The Five Things that John Believes
Go into Making a Great Santa
1 - Santa should be a warm and caring person. This is something that is inborn. A warm caring person doesn’t play Santa to gratify his own ego. He really loves people and knows how to communicate this, especially to small children.
2 - He should be outgoing and enthusiastic. How often have you been to a mall and the Santa sits there like a rock or when he does see kids, he handles them like he is working on an assembly line in a factory? Santa should be full of joy and no matter how long his day, this joyful outgoing happiness should still come through.
3 - Common sense—you don’t need to be a genius to be Santa but good, basic common sense goes a long way. You have to be able to deal with unruly children, those with special needs, crying babies, nervous and fidgety kids, parents who are irritated and may have had a bad day or impatient photographers who don’t know how to get the picture.
4 - Santa should be great with children. This means you listen to what they have to say, make sure you understand their wants while at the same time never promising them specific, since you really don’t know what they are going to get. At the same time you let them know they will like what they find under the tree. You know better than to grab a child and put them on your lap, because when you do sit down you have to be sure he or she is ready. Otherwise, you will have someone screaming for mom or dad! Santa knows how to interact with children and how to communicate with them on their level. When the little one has had time to say everything on his or her mind, he then gently eases them off his lap, leaving them with happy thoughts of the coming Christmas.
5 - Be believable—small children, especially up to the age of six absolutely believe in Santa. Because of this, it’s important you not only look the part, but that you are a totally credible Santa. You must live and believe the role because you are Santa. When you start to believe it yourself, this is when you really become Santa Claus!
What People Say About John Sullivan
“I think there isn’t any better looking, more authentic or nicer Santa in all of America—maybe they should have a Beauty Contest for Santas—you have my vote!” Bernhard S. Clever - Airline Manager
"You truly are an inspiration to all during this season. If all people had your kindness and honesty and ambition, it would be a truly magical world."
The Recchia’s - River Grove, Illinois
“John, I just wanted you to know that I heard nothing but the best things about
you at the party. Everyone thought you were a terrific Santa! Thank you” -
Wendy Reynolds - Property Manager, Carmen Marine Coop
“I had the wonderful pleasure of having Mr. Sullivan ‘perform’ at my annual holiday gathering for supporters where he entertained all of the children and their parents for two hours. His jolly demeanor and enthusiastic energy certainly made the evening most memorable for my guests. “ Senator Michael Noland
“You are still the best looking Santa Claus I have ever seen!” Laura M. Henkes - W.G. Holdsworth Associates, Inc.
“Each year we host a Children’s Tea. The very best part of our annual celebration is the fact that Santa Claus attends. And no, I don’t mean one of Santa’s helpers. The real Santa comes to our house. You only have to take one look at him, his beautiful costume, real beard and wonderful rapport with the children to know he’s the real deal. If you would like Santa to consider a visit to your home or business, you won’t be disappointed.” - John Dalton - Attorney
To contact John: Contact Us
See a slide show of some of John's Events, click on the image below.
The following are some of my Santa appearances in recent years
Charlestowne Mall St. Charles - Santa for a number of seasons
National City Bank of Batavia - Branch Opening
Hansen Technologies - Holiday Party Burr Ridge
C.L. Coating - Holiday Party Chicago
North Suburban Dental Association - Holiday Party Glenview
Appeared on NBC News - Chicago
Holiday & 5th Birthday Party - South Barrington
McHenry Villa Retirement Community - Holiday Party
Family Christmas Eve Visit - Winnetka
Family Christmas Night Visit with Santa - Hawthorne Woods
Schaumburg Cable TV Show
A & E Entertainment Holiday Party for Kasselt Ad Agency - Chicago
Dalton Jacobs Annual Children’s Tea - Elgin
Neighborhood & Family Open House - Lake Zurich
Arrowhead Golf Club Breakfast with Santa - Wheaton
Stratford Crossing Shopping Center Holiday Celebration - Bloomingdale
Harris Bank Holiday Party - Chicago
Chicago Botanical Gardens Guild Holiday Party - Glencoe
Friendship Village of Schaumburg Story Time with Santa
Dyna Door Company Holiday Party - Northbrook
Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Public Relations Event for City of Countryside
Citizens Financial Bank Merriville Branch Grand Opening
Sunrise Senior Living Holiday Parties - Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg,
Arlington Heights & Crystal Lake
Private Home Holiday Party - Inverness
Xentris Holiday Party - Addison
OK, What Does it Cost to hire a Santa?
Hire a Santa 2011 Rates
On Weekdays
Monday through Friday
Weekday rates - Monday through Friday (or weekends before Thanksgiving) are:
One Hour - $125 Each Additional Hour - $75
Santa’s rates are as follows:
On Weekends
Please note, there are only 3-weekends before Christmas and these dates are at a premium
Friday Evening —from 4 pm, Saturday through Sunday Evening
Thanksgiving until Christmas
Weekend rates after Thanksgiving through Sunday, December 20th are:
One Hour - $200 Each Additional Hour - $100
Christmas week - December 19th through December 23rd rates are: One Hour - $200 Each Additional Hour - $100
Christmas Eve or Christmas Day rates Half Hour $150 One Hour - $300
Mrs. Santa rates - $75 - One Hour $100 per hour Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
Note - all of the above rates are based on bookings of up to 25 miles one-way from my home in Streamwood. If your event is more than 50 miles round-trip from Streamwood, there is a minimum additional $25 charge. Any parking fees will be paid by the client. Full day, half-day or weekly rates are available, please call for a quote.
You can reach us at:
John Sullivan
272 Kosan Circle
Streamwood, IL 60107
(630) 837-9241
email jsul272@wowway.com
And Finally . . .
Before You Bring John Sullivan or Any Santa into Your Home or Business
Have them:
Provide you with references you can check - we’ll be glad to provide written references with contacts.
Take the time to check Santa’s references
Find out where we have played Santa - a partial list of places is shown above
Have Santa provide you with a records check from the local police department - we’ll provide a copy upon request
Provide you with a copy of Santa’s liability insurance - Sullivan carries a $1,000,000 liability policy through the World Clown Association - we’ll send a copy upon request
Santa leaving to go to the North Pole
Links to other valuable sites:
Professional Santa Claus - Santa Claus Allen www.santaallen.com is a traditional Santa Claus in the Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas area. He has a bigger than life appearance that conveys the Christmas spirit in person, print, and film. Santa Allen has appeared on magazine covers, major city Christmas ceremonies, and promotional work for Fortune 500 companies.
