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Business & Tech

Economy Up, According to Santa

Child entertainer of nearly 25 years dishes on his holiday season as Santa.

Donning the Santa suit at the Hyatt Embarcadero in San Francisco, at various Bay Area corporate holiday parties, and at private Christmas Eve house visits, child entertainer David Magidson enjoys bringing happiness to people through the magical North Pole character. 

"Children are just enthralled with the magic, but the adults, especially the older folks, have a wonderful glint in their eyes as I approach them," said Magidson. "There is a smile in their eyes and I can see the child in there."   

Doing most of his work in the public, Magidson interacts with a whole spectrum of people.  

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"I see a cross section. The serious business men rushing to a meeting, the 80 year old married folks walking slowly across the lobby, the men with tattoo sleeves cutting through," he said. "I get a glint of happiness from every one of them." 

This year, some of the most popular gift requests have been Legos for boys and dolls for girls. 

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"Despite what all the old codgers think, kids are the same as they were 50 years ago. Little girls like dolls, little boys like to build things," said Magidson. 

In addition to these classic items, some children are asking for more extravagant gifts, like Ipods, Wii systems and cell phones. Magidson tries to steer kids away from these, as well as the common request for kittens and puppies. 

"I can't promise a live animal unless the parents were planning on that. I just tell kids that my elves can't make living things, only toys. 'Can you imagine my elves making puppies with a hammer and screwdriver?' They giggle at this. I offer them a nice stuffed kitten," he said. 

Magidson gets other sweet but difficult to promise requests. 

"I will get the kids asking for their dads to come home. For people who are sick to get better. I've had a little girl wanting her dad home from prison," said Magidson. "I tell the kids that person now has a special gift knowing you love them so much." 

In addition to asking for a Christmas present, most children will answer a few questions from Santa, typically about school and friends. 

"Every 50th child will talk and talk and talk. They'll ask about elves and reindeer and how I know what they want and where is Rudolph," said Magidson. "Sometimes they'll ask what kind of cookie I like. Oatmeal Cookies of course."   

Despite a slow few years, there has been a lot of work for Santa this season. 

"I was on the front lines of the cuts two and three years ago. Children's entertainment, including Santa, tends to be the first thing cut," said Magidson. "For me, the economy has really picked up. This has been my best December in about ten years."  

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