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November 29, 2005
Adventures in Santaland
By Kat Caverly
It was 1988. I was the last photo elf hired by Macy's Santaland. When I was asked
"Why do you want to be an elf?" I answered, "Are you kidding? Miracle on 34th Street!".
This holiday gig turned into a yearly pilgrimage, that lasted until 2003 and I have the
pictures with Santa to prove it!
Every year I would go on the Monday after Thanksgiving, after 6pm. This is the BEST
time to go; the elves and Santa are not yet tired and everyone in Santaland is still
filled with the spirit that only a week of Santaland training can generate. Needless to
say I was one of your more enthusiastic elves.
This year I just don't know WHO to ask; I never go alone. I got Tom to go two years.
The first year, when I was actually working at Santaland I even got Tom to sit on
Santa's knee. That photo is priceless.
This year we produced Santaland a whimsical close-up of department store Santa's
work-a-day life.
After 16 years of dealing with Santa in the big city I just had to blow off a little steam. But
I do admit a trip to Macy's Santaland here in Manhattan can be quite magical. Your friends
won't get over it when they get the picture!
Posted by photocartoonist at November 29, 2005 12:56 AM