Temple resident enjoys the annual gift of playing Santa
By TONYA WARREN | Photos courtesy of STEVE PETERS
Ho-Ho-Ho! Believe it or not, Christmas is just around the corner, and Temple resident Mike Boley, aka Santa Claus, is gearing up for another cheerful holiday season. He’s already making his list and checking it twice, wanting to know who’s been naughty or nice. Hmm, there’s still time for those of us needing to do some work to slide over to the nice side of Santa’s list.
What started out as a typical, low-key, family photo shoot in December 2019 has morphed into an annual seasonal gig for Boley, and his wife, Shelley, aka Mrs. Claus. Precious photos with their granddaughter garnered more than just thumbs up or heart emojis.
“Friends saw the pictures and the requests started coming in for Santa sightings,” Mike said.
Beautiful twinkling lights, yummy snowman-shaped warm cookies, singing favorite Christmas carols in church and other holiday memories are seared into our minds, especially as young children. Growing up in Fort Worth, Mike’s favorite childhood memory was enjoying all the beautiful lights that often sprang up before the calendar turned to that last month. From the most modest home to those of cattle barons, he loved family drives around Cowtown enjoying all the colorful displays.
As Mike dons his festive apparel of Santa’s working clothes, complete with the traditional red outfit trimmed with pure white faux fur, his jolly smile signals an all go. Santa is ready to spread smiles and joy to all he encounters. Word of caution: Don’t pull on Santa’s beard, as it is real, and there’s no sense in taking a chance of being put on the naughty list.
In the spirit of Christmas, one doesn’t outgrow the anticipation of sitting on Santa’s knee, discussing important matters such as that Christmas wish list and taking the required photo with Santa.
“Taking pictures with the sweet little babies is so much fun,” Mike said.
But when the jolly man is around, folks of any age just can’t seem to help themselves. Let’s face it, some teenagers just do something they’d rather not, just to appease the parental units, or so it seems. Shelley confessed some teens think they’re too old for pictures with Santa, but they do it because they are told to.
“One teenager was from our church, so we knew him and his parents,” Shelley said. “Santa was able to tell him things only Santa would know.” After pictures, she said his mom came back to tell them that her son couldn’t stop talking about Santa and that he knew things. “I believe he’s the REAL Santa!” the young man said.
Photo shoots offer much fun, and Mike and Shelley have had several opportunities to take pictures with people of all ages, including expectant moms. Mike said the best one was when a mom brought her baby back the following year for her daughter’s second Santa picture.
Shelley, decked out in a red festive dress, is always on hand to help calm anxious or crying children. A little treat from Mrs. Claus will sometimes work like magic to capture that memorable photo. Speaking of treats, Santa mentioned he likes tacos and bourbon left out for him on Christmas Eve, but he admitted that peanut butter cookies will work just as well.
Since starting the Santa gig, Mike said there’s one especially memorable event that stands out.
“It was a family block party, and when we arrived, the son and grandson asked if we wouldn’t mind going inside their home to take a picture with the 90-plus year-old mother/grandmother.”
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived inside the house to find the woman on the phone, and Mike said she told her friend that Santa was there to see her, and she had to go.
“After taking a couple of pictures, she told her grandson this was going to be her Christmas card that year,” Mike said warmly. “And it was!”
Shelley explained that was the woman’s last Christmas, so when Christmas came around the next year, the grandson gave Mike one of her silver Christmas bells she always put on her tree. “Now it’s on our tree,” Mike said.
Santa and Mrs. Claus do Christmas parties, home visits and businesses that have Christmas events for customers. People find out about them on social media, referrals or by attending an event. Mrs. Claus manages the schedule, and she said people book them at the end of their event for the next year. She said requests started this year in May, and Santa sightings are in the Temple, Belton and east Bell County area. Santa visits schools and SPJST halls, and this year, will be visiting the American Legion to distribute gifts to disabled young adults.
The Boleys recently donated a chance to receive a home visit from Santa to the Rogers Education Foundation Black and Gold Benefit. While Santa visits amaze children of all ages, Mike said people should never forget the reason for the season.
He said that while “spreading joy through Santa Claus and gifts is good, the true meaning of Christmas is Jesus Christ.”
