Quote Originally Posted by torontokids View Post
Do you guys rent a Santa? Or use someone you know? Sounds like a big expense at a time when money is the tightest, heh heh. Last year one of the daycare dads did it for me.
I rent the early years centre, the whole place, for $80 for 3 hours. It includes a full kitchen so while I cook and prep most things ahead of time for the buffet, it's great to have that facility. I hire a Santa who just raised his rates this year to $80 for 30 minutes. I used to pay someone $50 but thy stood me up two years ago, so now I don't focus so much on cost, but reputation and reliability. I buy a multi pack of books from scholastic book order and they get wrapped as Santa gifts that he gives out. I invite all adult family members as it's a great and rare opportunity for grandparents, aunts and uncles to see the kids in this kind of environment and as it's a large place it's a perfect opportunity. I love doing it and find it an expense worth having