Job Spotlight: Peachtree Mall Santa Claus

It's a dear, precious job: taking on the role of Santa Claus and listening to the Christmas wishes of Columbus-area children amid the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping at Peachtree Mall.

But's it something that John T. Belt relishes. After all, he's been donning the bright red suit to go along with his white whiskers, off and on, since 1985. The last decade or so, he's been making Columbus his holiday home to bring smiles to youngster's faces as good ol' Saint Nicholas -- St. Nick for short.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, the 64-year-old Belt estimates he will hear the holiday wishes for easily more than 1,000 children, with the pace picking up as the calendar moves toward Dec. 24, his final day on the job here.

After that, he will spend dinner with a friend's family in Harris County, then travel north -- to his year-round home in Batesville, a community in southeast Indiana. Then, the good Lord willing, he will return to Columbus again next fall.

The Ledger-Enquirer visited with Belt, uh, Santa Claus recently at Peachtree Mall to talk about his job, how it can be emotional, and the curious nature of the tykes who sit a spell with him at center court. With a theatrical tone to his voice, it's easy to see how he gently grabs their attention.

This interview is edited a bit for length and clarity.

What did you do before Santa Claus?

I used to do public speaking. I would go to elementary schools and come as the grandfather in the story, Heidi, and I would encourage little children to read. In high schools, I would appear as Gen. Robert E. Lee and talk about history. I had a shorter beard back in the '90s. But portraying Santa, you must keep a decently long beard.

How did you come to be Santa here at the mall? You've been Mr. Claus since 1985.

The first three years I worked at (a clothing store) in Jenkintown, Pa. After that took a few years off because my wife passed away in '88 from cancer, and I had three youngsters to raise. So I took a few years' sabbatical. They were 9, 11 and 13 when that happened. So I got to take them through their teen years.

But back in '94, I did it one season in Cleveland. In fact, it was where the movie, "The Christmas Story," was filmed. There really was a Higbee's department store, which then became Dillard's. Since that movie was made, a large shopping mall was built behind it, and the Santa was moved out there. It's called Tower City Center, on Public Square in Cleveland.

Then another couple of years went by and I decided to get back into it and I was hired by a photographic company in '97. My first year there was Philadelphia and Boston and then Bergen County, N.J. Then the southern part of Indiana opposite Louisville, and Richmond, Va., for several years, and Grand Rapids, Mich.

Mostly in the North?

Yes. And then I was called down to the South to Union City outside of Atlanta, for one season (at Shannon Mall) ... which is no more. They really used to decorate it beautifully for the holidays. And I did one season at Cumberland Mall in Atlanta.

But the rest of the time I've been down here in Columbus. I think it was 10 years ago. The one year at Cumberland Mall was three years after I started here.

Santa likes Peachtree Mall?

Oh, yes, Santa does.

Why is that?

The atmosphere for one thing. I just feel very comfortable and at home. And I like the mix of people, because this is a regional center I'm told, and it pulls people in from a large area, both urban and suburban, and rural as well, and from two states at least. We have some families coming from as far away as Atlanta and North Carolina, and sometimes up from Florida. Plus, we have a variety of people attached to the Army base here.

And I've been treated very well by this mall and the management.

How have things changed for Santa Claus and children's wish lists since the 1980s?

It's mainly the types of toys that have changed. The size of the lists have remained about the same. I get some very short lists and I get some very long lists. But now it's more electronics, and even cellphones.

Asking for an iPhone 6, I guess?

Yes, that's exactly what's being asked for. And, of course, this year everything is Frozen. And it sounds funny when children ask for: I'd like a Frozen doll, a Frozen bed, a Frozen this, a Frozen that. Even if you know what it is, it sounds perfectly ridiculous. But, you know, it makes sense. Whatever's current is popular.

There's gazillions of toys and gadgets out there. That means Santa has to stay on top of everything?

Yes, but I don't like to claim to make everything that's out there. In fact, the children will ask me that very question, and I'll tell them that I just don't make everything. For one thing, I may not approve of it and I will not make it. For another thing, if I did make everything I would be putting a lot of people out of work, and that would be a wrong, wrong thing.

And I also tell them -- now this doesn't come up all the time -- but when it does, I tell them I'm not the only one that brings presents. I say: Don't you ever give a gift? And they say, yeah. Well, that's one that I didn't bring. And I say: How do you feel when you give a gift, and they say: Oh, we feel good. And I say: That's absolutely right. It's so good to give and help other people.

So you try to help them distinguish between material things and the reason for the season?

Yes, wherever I can.

Do you see various emotions, some children who are overjoyed and some who are fearful?

Oh, yes. That's one reason why I have this storybook with me. I purchased it at Barnes & Noble years ago, and it has these unusual moving pictures in it, and you don't see that very often ... and that is somewhat of an ice-breaker, to be looking at a book with Santa.

Some of them are in awe of Santa?

They will say: Are you the real Santa? And I hesitate to come right out, but the fact of the matter is many of the children expect you to be the real one, and I don't want to say otherwise, because word gets around through childhood circles. So I will say: Are you the real you or are you a cat dressed up like a person? Are you going to hiss at me? Are you going to scratch me? (They say) No, no. We usually move on from there.

Do they ever grab your whiskers?

Sometimes. But they're usually pretty gentle about it.

Have you had someone ask for anything different or exceptional or simply something like bringing their dad home from Afghanistan?

I do hear that. I can't really say anything. I just acknowledge that I heard them say it.

I think one of the most unusual requests this year, so far, has been a banjo, which I approve of. That's very good to be interested in things like that. And one or two children wanted to make sure that their family had a very good Christmas this year. They were interested in that.

Plain and simple?

Yes.

Nothing more?

They didn't go into detail. One little child did mention that she knew where she would be this Christmas, at her mother's house or her father's house. We didn't get too far into that subject, and it's none of my business. I acknowledged that I did hear what they were saying.

Do you have any memorable experiences that really touch your heart?

Yes. One thing that tugged at my heart was an encounter with a young boy up in Bergen County, N.J. The little boy just walked into the side way into the set, through the exit, and walked up to me. First he asked me if I was really Santa, and then he turned around and walked off. Well, then a few minutes later he walked on again, and he said: Why must men dress up and pretend to be Santa? Then he turned and walked off again. And then he came back a third time and he said: Why do people get divorced? And I thought to myself, I know where he's coming from now. And he turned and walked away. That really tugged at my heart.

Did he return?

No. He didn't come back again.

He just wanted to communicate somehow?

Yes, yes. That's why I try to be as realistic as possible, because people like an old-fashioned looking patriarchal-type figure with the beard and so forth. That's one reason I don't wear gloves. For one thing, it's cleaner; I can clean my hands easier without gloves on. Plus, children want to know if you have something inside those gloves. They want to know if you're in there. And I want them to know that, yes, I am for real.

Any funny stories?

One of the oddest requests I had for gifts was from a pre-schooler, and that was for a Barbie doll and a crotch rocket. And I had no idea what a crotch rocket is or was at the time. As soon as the child left, I said: Jen, what is a crotch rocket? She said: Oh, that's what we call motorcycles down here. I was like, Ohhhhh. ... And she was such a wee little thing. I acknowledged that I heard her say it, and I tried not to display too much in the way of emotion (laughs).

Speaking of the gloves, this is the cold and flu season. How do you keep from catching a bug?

Before I come, I get the flu shot. And I got a shot for pneumonia this year. However, it doesn't protect you from anything local that's flying around. In fact, I have a mild stomach ailment right now that I picked up from one of our visitors.

Thanksgiving weekend, I guess, was a big one for you?

Semi. This past weekend (Dec. 6-7) was the busiest thus far.

But things will be picking up in the coming days as Christmas Eve fast approaches?

Yes. Early in the season we're not that busy at all. People, well, they procrastinate. But also I think it's a tradition to want to see Santa really close to Christmas. Unfortunately, if you're going to do that, you'll have to expect a long wait. And I sympathize with people who are in line a long time.

Is there a best time to avoid the longer lines to see you?

I would say during the week, come to see Santa. Anytime during the week.

Do you recall sitting in Santa's lap yourself when you were younger?

I rejected going to see Santa until I was bribed at 7. I came home from school; I was in the second grade, and Dad said: You need to dress up, put your good shirt and tie on and suit coat. We're going somewhere.

And somewhere was downtown Philadelphia. I was like, Oh, I like that idea. We drove into Norristown and got the commuter train into the city and went to Wanamaker's (department store); Santa was there. I didn't really want to see him, but I thought, this is part of the package, you know. I didn't like bright flashes as a child, and that's how pictures were taken then.

So I sat on his knee and told him what I wanted, and he was OK about it. I think he might have been there all day. That was my only experience close up.

Has Santa changed through the years in the way you play him?

No. I always had a vision of how I should be playing Santa because of my height. When I started I was thinner.

You look more like Santa now.

Well, my physique is changing. And people still tell me I'm not fat enough. Yet, if I'm in street clothes, it's oh, you've really gained weight. You have to take some off. So I can't please anybody.

But I decided to aim for a Victorian look, more or less, and yet not too Father Christmassy, because children want to know that you've got legs and feet. If you're in a long robe, like Father Christmas, they're going to wonder what's inside that robe.

So I found a tailor who was willing to make something for me, like a three-quarter length coat with a hood on it, which is way too hot to wear in the building. That's why I dress the way you've seen me.

I wanted to dress from the inside out all the way. This is not a costume. These are my working clothes. This is what Santa wears when he visits children and makes all of those deliveries.

These are patterned after 19th-century designs, the broadfall britches and the shirt with the full sleeves. This is sheet material from Bed, Bath & Beyond (for the shirt). I went through and looked at it all and got the highest thread count I could find. It's comfortable.

Is it safe to say you're the most photographed thing or person in the mall?

I think so, although those little animals that people ride around on, they're getting quite the attention. Which is fine; it's alright. (chuckles)

I saw those (Smiling Riders) for the first time on Thanksgiving Day. I think adults can ride them.

Yes, I've seen them. And I've seen bands of college students on them, and caravans of them, four or five together.

Is there an age range for visiting with Santa at the mall?

I don't mind. Whoever wants to come in and sit with me or talk to me. The youngest I ever had was 2 or 3 days old. They were on their way home from the hospital. That was several years ago. This year, we've had one that was about a week old. And the oldest I've ever had was up around 100.

Your last day here is Christmas Eve. What should that be like?

It is non-stop. I do have time for a break, though. It's very important to get off the set and stretch and close your eyes for a few minutes.

Even though people don't like me leaving the set after waiting for such a long time, they'll probably have a better visit. It's not that I'm going to go off the deep end and become a wild person. I just get tired and I'll start to act sleepy (laughs) and I don't want to do that. I want to give everybody -- the first person to the last person -- the same treatment.

If Santa could wish for one thing this holiday, what would it be?

Just that everybody will have a good Christmas.

BioName: John T. Belt (aka Santa Claus)

Age: 64

Hometown: Schwenksville, Pa., area, (Montgomery County) near Philadelphia

Current residence: Batesville, Ind.; but residing in Columbus for the holidays

Education: Graduated from Schwenksville Schools system in 1969; attended Pierce Junior College in Philadelphia for two years

Previous jobs: Public speaker at elementary and high schools, and before Rotary and Lions clubs, often taking on the persona of the grandfather from "Heidi" and Gen. Robert E. Lee

Family: Widow, with three grown children, and 19 or 20 grandchildren (he's lost track)

Leisure time: Helps a friend take care of her mother; enjoys woodworking, drawing house plans and working in the garden

This story was originally published December 13, 2014 at 8:35 PM with the headline "Job Spotlight: Peachtree Mall Santa Claus."