This article first appeared in our December print edition.

One of the best parts of Christmas is spreading holiday cheer, and there’s no one out there jollier than Chris Burton. 

Santa Chris has been giving kids unforgettable memories as Santa for 12 seasons now. He’s played Santa for country clubs, retail events, and much more. 

“My favorite part of being Santa is when you are walking into an event, children see you and their faces light up with delight,” he says. “It’s also fun to see adults have the same reaction. I mean, it’s not every day that you see Santa.” 

Not only does Chris enjoy being Santa and bringing joy to the kids, but it also brings happiness to Chris himself. 

“I have always loved Christmas and the wonder and magic that it brings,” he says. “Being able to be the one who brings that magic to faces is magical to me. You never know what someone’s day has been like, and I know it is up to me to bring them out of whatever they are going through into a moment or two of pure magic and wonderment.”

Whether they’re good or bad, we all have memories of going to take pictures with Santa as children. From horrified kids to children who never want to leave, Chris has seen it all. 

“One season I was portraying Santa for a large retail store. A family came in to have pictures taken with me. I knew something was up, as the mom was talking privately with one elf while the three children were with me. I soon learned that one of the children was a foster child and they were announcing to her on Christmas morning that she was going to become part of their family,” Chris recalled as being one of his favorite memories.  

“The children had been told to face the camera, and the elf was holding a sign behind all of us with the great news. The mom got a large print of the picture to present to the girl on Christmas morning, with the elf holding the sign saying the family was adopting her,” Chris continued. 

Some may assume that Chris may get sick of Christmas since he is constantly surrounded by it, but that isn’t the case at all.

“Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday!,” he says. “My grandparents were always big into decorating and celebrating the Christmas season. I remember growing up around it and how it made me feel. I have always wanted to keep that spirit alive and share it with others.”

Although Christmas is just once a year, the memories that come from the holiday will last us a lifetime, and Chris has contributed to many of those cherished memories.