It's Santa, kids

For the first time since 2003, one of Oceanside’s real bearded Santas, James Wornia, will not be working this Christmas season. Due to health reasons he’s had to cut back.

But if the real Santa held auditions for a replacement, Wornia would fit right in by birthright: he was born 25 miles from Santa Claus, Indiana, on Halloween (All Saints Eve — to include Saint Nicholas, of course). In the Navy he spent time working on San Nicolas Island, off the SoCal coast.

Wornia is a member of the national organization FORBS — the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas. The San Diego chapter of 40 real bearded Santas meets once a month, “Except in December," says Wornia. "There’s something going on that month that keeps us kind of busy," he chuckled.

The San Diego chapter raises funds throughout the year to sponsor four to eight families at Christmastime. “We’ll tell the parents that Santa wants to take them out to lunch. While the family is at lunch, other Santas will set up a tree, decorate, and put presents out.”

For Santa James, it all started on May 1, 1991, the day after he retired from the Navy. That’s when he decided to start growing his previously restricted facial hair. He never thought about playing the jolly old fat man until he met a lady while walking into the Costco in Vista. She organized birthday parties for kids and asked if Wornia would consider coming to work for her. “She said they get short of Santas around Christmastime,” he says.

“My wife was returning from a trip on Christmas Day, and just for fun, I met her at the airport dressed as Santa. While waiting in baggage claim, I had about 100 kids and young ladies come up to me,” says Wornia.

He was hooked — especially after a Down syndrome girl asked him if he had left her presents at her house; she had just flown in from a visit with her grandmother. “When I told her yes, she started crying and just had the biggest smile.”

So, what makes a good Santa? “Never make promises,” he says. “Say something like, ‘I might have a few of those left but I’m sure you’ll really love what I leave.'”

He also says good Santas never ask what a child wants up front. “Kids are so excited to see you, they get a little tongue-tied,” says Wornia. “You start off guessing how old they are, favorite subjects in school, take the family photo, and then ask.”

Wornia, like most professional Santas, took a two-day course. “The first day they talk about what to say, what to not say. The second day they teach the business of Santa — finding work, insurance, and choosing a Santa career as a mall-photo Santa, business-and-organization Santa, or residential party Santa." Santas generally receive $100 to $125 an hour.

How often does he wear a bright red shirt? “Every day."

(corrected 12/17, 10:30 a.m)