Photography

ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES

It's beard-check time for professional Santas before their parade to the Great Wolf Lodge lobby at the conclusion of a workshop to prepare for the Christmas season.

There's so much more to being Santa than a full beard, a full body and some hearty ho-ho-hos.

For photos, it's hee-hee-hee to ensure a proper smile.

To prepare for the Thanksgiving-to-Christmas rush, more than two dozen professional Santas, a couple of Mrs. Clauses and one Grinch recently met at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Thurston County, to discuss etiquette and handling inevitable situations.

Almost all are seasoned pros with real beards and their own suits. Trever Waltos, the youngest Santa, needed additional padding he bought online.

From now until Christmas, no garlic, says Waltos, co-organizer of the workshop. "Santa needs to have fresh breath." Peppermint candy is the aroma of Christmas.

Santa is in charge of his chair and the elf training -- and properly trained elves are a must. They place the children on his lap, with infants the last to be loaded in group photos.

The elves adjust the dresses, never Santa. His white hands are always in sight on the shoulders of the youngsters seated upon his lap.

ALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Even though they're in their Santa casuals, a youngster knows who they are as they gathered for a group photo in the water park area of the Great Wolf Lodge.

When the business at hand turned from rules to relaxation, the dress code was Santa casual at the lodge's water-park area.

That meant red-and-white-striped outfits for a group photo.

All had heeded Waltos' advice: "No Speedos for Santa."

For more photos, visit the gallery.

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