Frequently Asked Questions
1. HOW DO I BOOK SANTA?
Call or text Santa at 828-674-6125, complete the Contact Form on the website, or email santa@santapaul.com. We will discuss availability, arrangements, and other details of a visit.
Due to time constraints during the busy Christmas season, Santa Paul only makes appearances at locations that are within Buncombe and Henderson counties.
2. WHAT TYPE OF EVENTS IS SANTA PAUL AVAILABLE FOR?
Santa Paul brings the magic of Christmas and Storytelling to family gatherings, holiday parties, and much, much more. Santa is also available for Photo Shoots at your home or on-location.
3. DO YOU PROVIDE A WRITTEN AGREEMENT?
Santa Paul will email an Engagement Agreement for your review and signature that includes details of the event, Santa’s contact information, retainer and payment details, cancellations, and other important information and deadlines.
Santa will also email a Home Visit Information Form for each child where you can list special things that you want Santa Claus to know about your child. The amount of information you provide is totally up to you and feel free to skip any areas. The goal is simply to help Santa Claus be aware of special things in a child’s life that are important to them. If a loved one has passed recently or someone is currently stationed overseas, it helps Santa to know to avoid touching on sensitive issues. And if you have someone missing from your event, Santa can help you record a special message for them.
Both forms can be completed, signed, and submitted online.
4. IS A RETAINER REQUIRED?
As available dates during the Christmas season are very limited, a non-refundable retainer of 50% of the total booking fee is required to secure the date.
5. HOW DO I PAY SANTA?
There are 2 options to pay for your visit with Santa.
Santa Paul uses the Square Payment Platform which allows you to pay for your Santa visit from the convenience of your computer, tablet, or phone. You can pay online using a debit or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover), Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Cash App Pay. One of the largest payment processors in the US, the Square Payment Platform uses end-to-end encryption to protect your data and payment information.
Option 1. Pay The Total Fee At Time Of Booking
You pay the total fee (retainer & balance) at time of booking using the Square Payment Link. Your event is all taken care of with no worries about additional payments.
Option 2. Pay The Retainer At Time Of Booking and Pay Balance Two Weeks Prior To The Date Of Your Event ** Option 2 is only available for bookings made prior to September 1 **
Installment 1: You pay the 50% retainer at time of booking using the Square Payment Link.
Installment 2: You pay the balance using the Square Payment Link two weeks prior to the date of your event. The Square Payment Platform will send payment reminders as your payment date approaches.
6. CAN I RESCHEDULE MY SANTA VISIT?
If you need to cancel and would like to reschedule the date, Santa Paul will work with you and try his best to accommodate you. However, please be aware that it can be difficult to make changes to a scheduled date during the Christmas season as Santa Paul’s available appointments become very limited.
7. CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS?
Santa Paul realizes that life brings about unforeseen circumstances or emergencies and schedules have to change. In the event you need to cancel, the retainer is non-refundable but any balance payment you have prepaid is refunded to you — no explanation necessary. The refund is issued to the credit card you used for payment.
This refund policy is outlined in your Santa Engagement Agreement.
8. WHAT HAPPENS IF SANTA PAUL IS UNABLE TO APPEAR?
An appearance may have to be cancelled due to reasons beyond Santa Paul’s control — illness, injury, severe weather, etc. Cancellation of the event by Santa Paul for any reason results in a full refund of your retainer and balance payment you have prepaid. The refund is issued to the credit card you used for payment.
This refund policy is outlined in your Santa Engagement Agreement.
9. WHEN WILL SANTA ARRIVE?
Santa will call about 5-10 minutes before his arrival so someone can meet him outside. You can then show Santa where you would like him to park, load any gifts into the toy bag, and go over any last minute details that Santa needs to know.
10. WHAT HAPPENS IF OUR VISIT GOES LONGER THAN SCHEDULED?
A few extra minutes over a scheduled visit is rarely a problem. However, remember that Santa has many families to visit and he doesn’t want to keep them waiting. You may need a longer visit with Santa if you have a larger family, multiple families are planning to attend, you are planning special activities with Santa, and so on. Santa Paul will work with you, in advance, to plan an appropriate time frame for your event.
11. DOES SANTA HAVE ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS?
One of the most important things for Santa is that his performance location be cool and comfortable. Santa Paul’s suit is heavy and warm. Santa should not be seated near a lit fireplace, heating vent, or other especially warm area. A room temperature set to no more than 68 degrees works well.
An appropriate chair for Santa is one that is sturdy and stable. A good, sturdy straight-back dining chair with no arms works well. Low chairs that you sink into, folding chairs, rolling chairs, or plastic chairs do not work well.
12. WHAT KIND OF INSURANCE DOES SANTA HAVE?
Santa Paul carries an Entertainer’s Commercial Liability Policy through HDI Specialty SE and Lloyd’s Underwriters. A Certificate of Insurance will be provided by the insurance carrier on request.
13. WHAT KIND OF BACKGROUND SCREENING DOES SANTA HAVE?
Santa Paul maintains a current nationwide criminal background screening through IntelliCorp. A Background Report will be provided on request.
14. WHAT ABOUT PHOTOS?
Any and all photos taken of Santa Paul, whether by individuals or professional photographers, are assumed to be for the private and personal use of the client. Photos may not be used for commercial or promotional use without written permission of Santa Paul.
“Christmas is the season of kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.”
Washington Irving
For more information about Santa Paul’s availability call or text
828-674-6125
or click here to fill in the form on the Contact Page
Please contact us for a personalized quote for your event.