KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — 'Tis the season when jolly old St. Nick travels down the chimneys to visit families and leave gifts for children across the world. And around this time every year, a variety of Santas are connecting with families to make sure they feel comfortable and confident over the holidays.
For example, a sensory-sensitive Santa Claus stopped by Pigeon Forge in early December to pay a visit to families of children with sensory processing disorders. These children may not be able to handle the usual loud cheer from St. Nick.
"Portraying Santa is a wonderful thing," said sensory-sensitive Santa. "You have to adapt you and your portrayal of Santa Claus to what they can stand."
Kids with other disabilities, like autism, may not be able to wait in a long line waiting for a chance to speak with him. Instead, they had a chance to play on some equipment before they were called to speak with him one-on-one.
"I try to be a little more sensitive to those kids on the spectrum," he said. "Santa Claus has always been special."
Santa is also bringing some diversity to Christmas, making sure Black families had a chance to take photos with a Santa that reflected them. He said more people are interested in taking photos with him, so they have Christmas photos that reflect the household.
"The number of adults that come out and want to take pictures with me, it's amazing," said Black Santa. "(They say,) 'Santa, when are where are you going to be, so that I can bring my child to take pictures with you?'"
According to the Pew Research Center, around 47.2 million people self-identified as Black in the U.S. in 2021, a 30% increase since 2000. That includes people who said they were Black in combination with other racial backgrounds.
"Mixed-race kids wanted me to be Black because I looked like their father," said Black Santa. "A lot of the kids wanted someone who looked like them to be their Santa."
Regardless of how Santa acts or what Santa looks like, he always works to bring cheer during the holiday season.