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A Globe Santa sighting in Boston
On Sunday morning, Globe Santa had arrived at Boston Public Market.
The black leather boots clacked against the smooth concrete floor. There was a flash of red velvet and white fur. Then, a wink from a crinkled, twinkling eye. On Sunday morning as families flooded into the Boston Public Market for shopping and music, they were greeted by the undeniable glow of holiday magic: Globe Santa had arrived.
He set up shop in front of a wooden sleigh filled to the brim with wrapped presents and blow-up ornaments, welcoming children, and some dogs, for pictures and the opportunity to share their holiday wishes.
Globe Santa’s job is a big one, so he came with an entourage: helpers spreading the word about his mission to deliver holiday gifts to families in need across the Boston area.
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It’s not often that Globe Santa takes a break from his workshop, but when he does, it’s a jolly affair. He saw face-spanning grins and only a few tears (it’s hard not to be overcome by the Globe Santa spirit). Some visitors admired from far, while others ran right up to sit on his knee.
Amaya Tsorbias-Santiago, 6, and August Tsorbias-Santiago, 5 , made sure to visit Globe Santa while at the Boston Public Market’s Family Holiday Party.
“We said ‘Merry Christmas.’ We like to talk to him a lot and we like to take pictures with him,” said Amaya, who was visiting with her family from Manchester, NH.
For some parents, Sunday marked their kids’ first time seeing Santa in person. Natalie Nuñez and Miguel Sanchez of Dorchester watched with delight as their 1-year-old daughter Nylabecame fascinated by Globe Santa’s long, white beard.
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“She looked amazed and surprised,” Nuñez said. “It’s actually exciting to see her reaction to it.”
In the last few years, the Boston Public Market has witnessed similar moments of wonder while hosting Globe Santa. Sunday’s Family Holiday Party featured cookie decorating, ornament and dreidel crafts and a donut-on-a-string eating competition, but the day centered around Globe Santa’s presence.
“What is the most revered philanthropic endeavor in the holiday season in the Boston Area? It’s certainly Globe Santa,” said Boston Public Market CEO Cheryl Cronin
They throw the party with Globe Santa to give parents a chance to take their kids on an adventure without worrying about the cold. They also use it as an opportunity to give to the Globe Santa cause. Boston Public Market will donate 25 cents for every person who entered the marketplace on Sunday or $1,200, whichever is larger.
“Globe Santa is iconic. So, frankly, for the Boston Public Market to be partnering with something like Globe Santa, it’s actually wonderful,” Cronin said.
For Globe Santa himself, the day spent with his community is about one thing: hope.
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“There’s so many kids out there, so many families that might not have the means to provide the Christmas for their kids that they would like to, and here are the kids hoping for something,” Globe Santa said. “And here are the parents hoping for something to help them get what the kids are hoping for.”
Even though he’s been delivering gifts to children in need for 69 years, Globe Santa still needs your help keeping that hope alive and sparkling. If you are able, please consider giving by phone, mail or online at globesanta.org.
Marin Wolf is a freelance writer. She can be reached at [email protected].
For 69 years Globe Santa, a program of the Boston Globe Foundation, has provided gifts to children in need at holiday time. Please consider giving by phone, mail, or online at globesanta.org.
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