Brobston helps Santa spread Christmas cheer
By William Smith
Adam Brobston isn’t a liar. Despite wearing a red suit and visiting with children young and old in Westland Mall, Brobston has never once claimed to be Santa Claus.
But he knows him.
It is how he got the gig at Westland Mall. He is not playing a role. He is there as an official representative of Mr. Claus.
“I work for Santa Claus. That’s how it works. Santa Claus can’t be everywhere,” he said.
Much like an elf — only bigger, jollier, and individually contracted — Brobston is happy to explain the hierarchy to anyone who asks.
Most of his inquisitors are old enough to express skepticism, and they want answers.
“Some of the kids will tell me they saw a Santa Claus somewhere else,” Brobston said.
Of course, they did, Brobston says without surprise. Like sleeper agents of Christmas cheer, those Santas are subcontracted by the big guy, often through local stores. They don’t necessarily know each other, but they know each other. An unspoken brotherhood of goodwill.
“Not everyone is cut out to be Santa. And that’s okay,” Brobston said.
Some, like Brobston, have real beards and hair. Some don’t. Santa would never discriminate against anyone who wants to represent the Christmas spirit. Some Santas weigh less than others. Their ages vary greatly.
Brobston fits the classic definition of the Christmas card Santa — in stature and facial hair. The long gray hair and belly-length beard are real.
“I haven’t seen my chin since 1992,” Brobston said.
Eleven months of the year, Brobston is not Santa. He is a former drummer and a registered nurse. He volunteers at Bark ‘N Play and hosts a true crime podcast. No matter what he is doing, Brobston loves talking to people. Children are the majority of his customers, but not all of them.
“No one is too old to talk to Santa,” he said.
By now, Brobston has heard thousands of wishes, all of which he relays to Santa. Those wishes are a tiny portion of the billions of wishes Santa receives each year, and Brobston never makes any promises. Santa has to cooperate with all governments.
“Some kids will ask for their brother or sister in the military to come home for the holidays,” he said.
Toy-wise, video games and action figures have replaced wooden toys, and the parent-repulsing slime popular in the 1980s is on the rise again. And there’s always something squishy kids want.
“Every kid wants Squishmallows now,” Brobston said.
Sometimes, the kids want someone to talk to. Or they don’t want to say anything at all.
“Some of the younger kids, you can tell they’ve been looking forward to meeting Santa, and they’re all excited. Then they get in front of you, and they see the boots and the suit and the beard, and they freeze up,” Brobston said.
At that point, getting the child to share their Christmas wishes becomes a delicate negotiation.
No matter how far away they stand, Brobston talks to them. If they draw closer, he invites them to sit next to him on the oversized bench. Or they can stand next to him.
Ultimately, Brobston wants to get them in range for a photograph. He can see the hope building in the parent’s eyes as they draw near. Westland Mall has maintained a mall Santa for decades, and taking photos with him is a family tradition for many.
“It’s kind of a living portrait. Everyone changes through the years, except Santa,” Brobston said.
The mall offers professional photographs, but families can take as many photos as they like. Santa would never deny a family taking their own photo — and neither would Brobston.
“A lot of people can’t afford it, and that’s okay,” he said.
Brobston wants to get the kid in the door. If he keeps talking, they might start talking. If they don’t know what they want, Brobston will help them.
“I say, ‘Well, what’s your favorite color?’” Brobston said.
After about five questions, he can usually help them narrow it down. It’s his job to keep up with the latest toys.
“I’ve had several kids ask for a telescope, which is kind of a new one. I thought that was kind of cool. Art supplies are a big one. I’ve had several kids ask for art supplies. It’s something I can talk to them about because I do art myself,” he said.
Santa Brobston has only one real wish — to hear the wishes of as many children as possible. Because every one goes straight north.
“As long as people have hope, I think Santa Claus will exist. Because that’s really what Santa Claus is about. We need hope,” he said.