Kris Kringles crimped

Not-so-jolly economy has folks who don red suits fearing red ink this year

(John Bohn / Globe Staff Photo) It's getting more expensive to play Santa. Walter Finch says his dry-cleaning fees have nearly doubled this year.

Turns out, even St. Nick isn't immune to these bah humbug economic times.

As companies cut holiday office parties, those who get paid to wear Santa suits are being squeezed by the downturn: Some are getting fewer gigs, others have to work more for less money, and some Clauses are battling rising expenses. Adding to that, more Santas are flooding the market as people try to pick up part-time work to make up for stock and job losses.

Business has been especially bad for Donald Wetherby, 57, a Montgomery, Vt., truck driver who makes about $400 each holiday season playing the big guy from the North Pole for weekend parties. So far, he only has two bookings this year, compared with eight this time last year.

"Even if it is Christmas," Wetherby said, "Times are hard anyway, so people don't got a lot of money."

Jim Manning has gotten more Santa gigs than last year, but he won't be making as much money. Playing Kris Kringle the last few weeks of the year accounts for 25 percent of Manning's business, Jungle Jim's Interactive Children's Parties of Boston.

Manning, who charges $250 to $400 an hour for storytelling, wish lists, and caroling, said his profitable corporate business is suffering: He booked nine corporate events as Santa this year, compared with 20 in 2007.

To try to make up for the decline, Manning is working more, but less-lucrative, private functions. He said bookings for those events are up more than fourfold to 36 this year. Often, clients are splitting his appearance fees with other families and friends, hoping a live Santa will make up for fewer gifts.

"Everybody's got to tighten their belts," Manning, 32, said.

For some Santas this year, the expense sheet is the only list that gets checked twice.

Walter Finch, a Santa in East Bridgewater, said his dry-cleaning fees have nearly doubled this year, so now it costs him $80 a month to clean his Santa suit.

"Everything's gone up, even the products I buy," said Finch, 51. "We hand out candy canes and bookmarkers and little toy tops - and they've gone up, too."

And even jolly old St. Nicholas feels the pain of rising mortgage rates: This year Finch's monthly payment shot up by $200.

All of that has forced Finch, who has moonlighted as Santa for 30 years, to dramatically increase his appearance fee. He now charges $250 for a corporate event, nearly $100 more than last year, and $100 for a home party, up from $85.

But he still thinks he offers a pretty good deal. His fee includes Mrs. Claus. "We're two for the price of one," said Finch.

Demand for Santas at Danvers party planning company Total Entertainment has stagnated for the first time, forcing it to hold back on hiring. This year, the firm will have only four St. Nicks on hand when it normally would be adding one more. The company is also holding the line on prices - keeping the fee at $250.

"Usually every year we can charge a little more because demand is higher, but this year we'll use last year's prices," said Vernon West, the company's audio and visual director. "I do notice there's an emphasis on how much people can save."

It's never been easy being Santa. He often has to cram weekend engagements back-to-back, sometimes working 16-hour days in a bulky fat suit and itchy synthetic beard. He sacrifices holidays with his own family for around-the-clock time with strangers. Then there are the wailing toddlers who aren't quite potty trained.

Despite the downturn's toll on Santa Inc., plenty still want to don the big red suit.

Enrollment is up to 125 from 70 at the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland, Mich., where students pay $380 for three-day workshop with courses that focus on such subjects as the history of St. Nick, television interview training 101, Santa sign language, and working with "live reindeer habits."

Holly Valent, assistant to the dean, said there is particular interest among applicants age 55-63 - a group who are usually planning for retirement but have watched their 401(k) portfolios plummet and may need to continue working.

"We turn away probably 50 percent of people who try to get in," said Valent.

Valent worries that some of the new recruits are focusing too much on dollar signs and not enough on the meaning of Christmas.

"I don't know what's really in their heart, but it seems like they're trying to capitalize on something really good," Valent said. "I want to say to them, 'Be a Christmas joy, a Christmas message, an elf - something! But not Santa.' "

For years, Sean Marcella, 41, of Scituate, has played Santa to entertain his nieces and nephews, but this Christmas he decided to try and make a few extra bucks. "I'm just looking to help with everyday expenses here," said Marcella.

Three weeks ago, he put an ad on Craigslist as a hired Santa for $30 a visit.

So far, no one has made an offer.