Trying on Santa was a unique family experience
Sophia Sellers patiently waits while her cousin Lila Sellers tries to help her put a belt on Santa’s belt. Josie Sellers | Beacon
Anne Cornell, far left, is pictured helping sisters Sophia and Sawyer Sellers and their cousin Colm Sellers get started on crafts in Santa’s workshop. Josie Sellers | Beacon
COSHOCTON – Did you ever wonder what it was like to be Santa? The Pomerene Center for the Arts gave families the opportunity to answer that question this holiday season with its Trying on Santa event.
“Dressing up, pretending, making things and having an experience with Santa just seemed like the right thing for an art center to do,” said Anne Cornell, from the Pomerene Center for the Arts.
On Dec. 9 and Dec. 16, families were led through an interactive experience at the Pomerene Center. For a $25 fee, which helped the art center with general expenses, families were able to spend time in Santa’s dressing room, his workshop and study visiting with Santa himself. There also was a professional photographer available for festive family photos if participants chose that option.
My girls, 4-year-old Sophia Sellers and 2-year-old Sawyer Sellers, were invited to come help mommy cover this event on Dec. 16 when their cousins, 4-year-old Lila Sellers and 2-year-old Colm Sellers were in town for a visit.
In Santa’s dressing room Colm was hard to get out of Santa’s boots and Sophia struggled to keep Santa’s pants up even when Lila tried to help her put Santa’s belt on. None of them were daring enough to see how many would fit in Santa’s pants or his jacket. Lila, however, did try his hat on, but quickly found it sliding down over her eyes.
When they moved on to Santa’s workshop they each made magnets and a simple game to take home and marveled at the beautifully-wrapped presents waiting for him to take to girls and boys on Christmas Eve.
The 2-year-olds focused on their crafts and could have stayed longer, but the 4-year-olds wanted to see what Santa’s snack would be. They each helped prepare his tray of fruits and nuts and a cup of tea. Sophia carried it across the hall while her sister lightly tapped on Santa’s door. He heard her knock and took a break from making plans for the busiest day of his year and chatted with the children.
This was one of Cornell’s favorite parts of the event.
“It was a nice progression of activities and I loved that they got to make his snack and then go knock on his door themselves,” Cornell said. “That was so special to watch them talk with Santa about his flight.”
Santa had maps all over his study and helped the children mark their homes on them.
“I’ve enjoyed seeing the kids,” said Santa, who took a break from his work to chat with me. “There’s a lot going on at the North Pole this time of year, but it was nice to get out for a day or two.”
Cornell added that Santa likes coming to the Pomerene Center.
“Santa has a soft spot for the Pomerene Center because it has so many chimneys,” she said.
He couldn’t help, but agree with her.
“The chimneys make it easy to get in and out of here,” Santa said.
He added that the snacks the children brought him were yummy and he hopes to come back for the event next year.
Before leaving, Sophia asked Santa if he was real. He tugged on his beard and showed her that it wasn’t coming off and that seemed to confirm that the cousins’ afternoon at the Pomerene Center for the Arts had indeed been a very magical one.
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