Not just anyone can wear the suit and call themselves Santa Claus says Michael Rielly of Bristol.
To Rielly, playing Santa is a real responsibility entrusted to only those who are up for the challenge. He has Santa Claus genes in his blood, he says. His grandfather James Rielly was one of the most famous Santa Claus’s of all time receiving acclamations from the president and the pope. Not to mention, a special place in the Santa Claus Hall of Fame in Santa Claus, Indiana.
Michael Rielly attended a lot of his grandfather’s gigs as a kid but he never realized it was his Papa playing St. Nick. In elementary school, Rielly was cast as Santa Claus in the school Christmas play and Rielly realized he had found his passion.
Rielly was 19-years-old when his grandfather died and he was ready to fill the Santa boots. “When he died I just took over as Santa Claus,” said Rielly.
Rielly has a full time job but says his true passion lies in his work as Santa Claus. He said he believes in the season and the true essence of St. Nick and as a result Rielly does not accept payments for his gigs. If he is offered money he donates it. “Any money I do get goes to Santa America and they donate the money to Wounded Warrior Foundation or St. Jude’s,” said Rielly.
Santa Clausing can be tough work and like any business there are tricks to the trade. After having portrayed Santa for over 15-years, Rielly’s wife sent him to the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland Michigan for a three-day class. “Up until that point I never met another Santa Claus before,” said Rielly.
The experience at the school changed Rielly’s outlook on Santa. He learned neat tricks like singing Christmas tunes and how to approach delicate situations with children but more importantly he learned about the secret brotherhood of Santas. “What really struck me about the school is this camaraderie,” said Rielly, “There is a very strong brotherhood.”
Rielly was encouraged by the school to create a place where Santa Clauses across the country could network and share ideas. “What I felt at the school is what inspired me to create clausnet.com” said Rielly. Today, Rielly’s site which is a networking site for Santas has 1266 members from all over the world including Canada, Australia, England, Japan, and the Caribbean.
Because of Clausnet.com, Rielly met up with Phillip Wenz whom Rielly calls a Santa Claus historian. Wenz, with Rielly’s help came up with theSanta Claus oath, a sacred vow to be taken by all those who choose to adorn the red suit. Rielly came up with the last line: I pledge myself to these principles as a descendant of St. Nicholas the gift giver of Myra.
“We expressed the principle that we as Santa Claus portrayers should try to live by,” said Rielly. Rielly sayshe really dedicates himself to the spirit of St. Nick and the spirit of pass Santa Claus’s like Jim Yellig, whom the oath is dedicated to. Yellig is known to be the “real” Santa Claus and in his time he was “face of Santa Claus.”
Rielly hopes to see his son grow up and follow in his footsteps as the Jolly Old Elf. Born right before Christmas, Rielly’s son was brought home from the hospital in a big red stocking. His son suffered from juvenile diabetes and for years, Rielly volunteered at the Diabetes foundation Christmas celebration as Santa. But says now that his son is old enough he has passed the torch. “A good Santa will never hold onto a gig forever,” said Rielly.
Rielly said it was a really special moment when he first saw his son play Santa for the Diabetes Association. “When he was the Santa at the diabetes association I almost started crying he was doing, everything right,” said Rielly.
Michael Rielly says his latest Santa adventure will bring him to Santa Claus, Indiana for a Santa Claus conference. Rielly is helping organize the conference . A documentary that Rielly is featured in called “They wore the Red Suit” will be screened at the conference and there will also be events and workshops for all the Santas that gather.
For some, Santa comes just once a year but for the Michael Rielly Santa is a 365 day affair.
