Sunset Mall's Santa Gene Does it all for a Smile, and that for 19 Years

The legend of Saint Nicholas has been around for a very long time, however, shopping malls have a somewhat shorter story.

The combination of the two seemed meant to be together once Santa became a Christmas staple.

According to history.com, “In 1841, thousands of children visited a Philadelphia shop to see a life-size Santa Claus model. It was only a matter of time before stores began to attract children, and their parents, with the lure of a peek at a 'live' Santa Claus.”

Ever since, Santa has been in the mall at Christmas, perfectly in place for parents to buy the toys they want at a toy store in the same building.

This is true even in San Angelo. Here, Santa Gene is a staple at the Sunset Mall come Christmastime.

“I’ve been here for 19 years,” San Angelo's Santa said. “I’ve seen a lot of children.”

Having been Santa at the Sunset Mall for so long, Santa Gene has seen many families grow up: some who saw him as children now bring their own children to see him.

“I had a family give me a family picture in '05 and they were here this year to take and give me another one,” Santa Gene explained. “[The] family's here every year to see Santa.”

Of course time marches on and things change, “now 3-year-olds are asking for iPhones,” he chuckled.

However, some things, like ponies, never change. “Lots of little girls ask for ponies or horses,” said Santa Gene.

He also mentioned that such a rodeo-influenced town has a lot to do with what the children ask for.

“A lot of kids ask for a saddle, or tack for their horse,” he explained.

Another thing that never changes are the curious questions that small children want to know about Santa.

“A popular one is ‘which is your favorite [reindeer]?’” Santa Gene said. “Or ‘how did you get here today?’ and I’ll usually say that Rudolph brought me.”

A big part of what entails being Santa is not to make promises.

“Even if I see mom shaking her head yes, I still only say ‘I’ll see what the elves can do about it,’” Santa Gene said.

But playing the part of Santa also comes with a certain appearance and demeanor, such as the fabled white beard and jolly disposition. 

“I haven’t shaved this [beard] in 19 years,” he laughed.

Santa Gene says the best part of being Santa is seeing the eyes of a child light up when they see him.

“I just love doing it,” he smiled. “Its just fun, lots of fun,” he says.