Stewart Scott gave insight into his career as a mall Santa, relating passages from his book, “Diary of a Mall Santa,” at the Homewood Public Library, Dec. 10.

Scott has been a professional mall Santa for four years. He worked between 2008 and 2011 at the Lincoln Mall in Matteson. 

Scott explained how he was inspired to be a mall Santa by a surprise visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus when his children were young. “This was on Christmas Eve and there was a knock at the door. I went to the door and opened it up and there was Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus standing on the porch, and they were so real. And ever since that time, I thought ‘that’s what I want to do.'”

Scott said he was told when he started the job that he was going to hear some funny stories and some sad stories. That moment was when he came up with the idea of writing a book about his experiences.

Some of the stories he had to tell were heartwarming, such as one where he ran into a couple of homeless ladies and had his picture taken under the christmas tree with them. Another heartwarming tale was of a young girl who asked for a house for her family and a job for her unemployed father. Other situations did not go so well, such as one where he decided to correct the grammar of a child who said “Grandma says we ain’t getting nothing for Christmas.” by saying “You are not getting anything for Christmas,” The child did not seem to appreciate the advice.

Being a mall Santa was not without its struggles. Getting fully dressed took up to 40 minutes, and the padding he was required to wear made the suit very hot. He had to drink lots of water to keep hydrated while working. Also, the occasional naughty child would pull at his beard.

Scott’s presentation was sponsored by the Homewood Historical Society. His book is available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.