Amid the chilly nights, twinkling lights and jolly music in the air, there’s only one experience that really tells you Christmas is near. 

Santa Claus.  

Clad in a red suit that makes his white hair and beard pop, Santa is a mammoth of a man in both size and spirit. But what else makes Santa, well, Santa? Maybe it’s his infectious laugh, the twinkle in his eye, the hug that can melt away all troubles or the patience to listen. 

Residence: Desert Cedars 

Age: 74 

When did you first become Santa Claus? 

In 2006, I had gotten really sick and almost died in the hospital. I spent six weeks in the ICU. My wife and I were led by God to say, “You need to do something over here in Maricopa.”  

God had put on our heart that we needed to help the less fortunate children in Maricopa, which is what we do. By doing our event, children can come visit Santa and Mrs. Claus for free. The only thing that we ask is that attendees bring an unwrapped toy for donation or a cash donation. 

What does a typical ‘Maricopa Santa’ experience look like? 

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus arrive on Black Friday at 6 p.m. with a City of Maricopa fire truck and a little parade of ATVs, UTVs, dune buggy cars and a bunch of cheerleaders marching. We visit with everybody; then we come into Santa’s living room and the event really begins.  

We have over 100,000 lights that encompass two properties, including Santa’s living room. There are elves present to help Santa, take pictures, help the kids, entertain them, stuff like that. Sometimes we have entrepreneurs who set up to sell hot chocolate or cookies. 

What are you doing differently this year? 

This will be our 20th anniversary, but we’ve been slowing things down a bit because Santa’s health sometimes is a challenge lately.  

Last year, we couldn’t offer home visits, which are the backbone of raising the funds that cover our lights, electricity and decorations — everything that keeps us running without ever charging families. This year, we’re bringing them back. We’ll be doing home visits on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

I hear you have a book available this year, too. 

It’s called Making candy canes and dreams. The pretense of the book is a little girl and a little boy have a dream of making candy and opening up a store after moving from Germany to the U.S.  

They end up working for Santa Claus, who takes them to the North Pole and, after making a big, big mess, they create the first candy canes.  

What do you enjoy about being Santa? 

Everything. Talking with the kids, entertaining, telling stories, singing. My most memorable moment was from one of the first few years. There was a little girl from the reservation whose parents drove by, and they didn’t know that we were here. They just saw the lights.  

They pulled up and this little girl jumped out of the car and literally ran across the street screaming, “Santa, my Santa, my Santa.” And then she just dived into my lap and would not get up. I just held her, and she buried her head into my beard. It still makes me tear up.  

Residence: Hidden Valley 

Age: 66 

When did you first become Santa Claus? 

Fifteen years ago, the year my son died in a car crash. In that year of worrying about my son and with everything going on, my hair and my beard went from dark brown to white.  

And I became Santa Claus because of what we do at the food bank. I loved giving cheer to people, so I moved it to another part of my life and that was becoming Santa Claus.  

Are there moments when being Santa follows you into everyday life? 

Actually, it never ends. I carry candy canes in my truck and if I see a little kid who has a look in his eyes, like, “that’s Santa,” I pull a candy cane out and give it to him. 

I went into a store one day that had a statue of Santa, and I had a couple of candy canes in my pocket. I told the clerk, “He don’t look nothing like me,” and handed her a candy cane. 

When I came back to pay for my stuff, she said, “How did you know I wanted a candy cane when I saw you?” 

I said, “The same way I knew you wanted a Barbie doll when you were 10.” 

She said, “My God, it is you.” 

You just have to keep your wits about you. I’m Santa all year. I pass out gifts all year.  

What do you enjoy most about being Santa? 

Seeing the smile on people’s faces no matter what we do. I do a lot with sensory-sensitive children — kids who are autistic or have Down Syndrome. I do a lot with the elderly. And just putting a smile on their faces is amazing. Sometimes, they just need somebody to talk to and bring a little bit of cheer.  

I just like to bring a little joy to a troubled world. 

What was your earliest memory of Santa Claus? 

Wow, I was a child. I think I was about 3 or 4 years old. I was given a stuffed boxed dog. I had it for quite a while; the last time I remember seeing it, I was probably 13 or 14. 

Residence: The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado 

Age: 18 

When did you first become Santa Claus? 

This year. This is actually my first time wearing the suit. My first real appearance will be Dec. 10. I thought it would be a fun opportunity to be Santa, making people happy and laugh. 

What does it take to become Santa? 

Just the few minutes it takes to get dressed. But I do feel like you just have to be in a really good mood, like in the mindset of being Santa.  

What do you enjoy about being Santa? 

I’m a young Santa. It’s pretty fun to pretend to be old. 

What was your earliest memory of Santa Claus? 

I was really young. There’s a neighborhood parade in Tuba City on the Navajo reservation where Santa rides around. I remember seeing him in that. And that’s mainly what I looked forward to as a kid because he would come out and drop off presents for everyone.