13/12/2011 – Phillip Holt's World

Not only this year was I Father Christmas at the Rotary Club’s Christmas Tree in Kingston upon Thames, but also for one night I was Santa on the sleigh driven through local neighbourhoods correcting donations door to door to go into funds to help local charities and people.

Phillip Holt as Santa on his Sleigh with the Rotary Club of Kingston upon Thames

The night started with the temperature a little cold and no wind, but as the night progressed, the wind started and got stronger, and the rain came down, but it did not dampen the spirits of the fellow Rotarians knocking on doors for the annual collection.

Young and old came to their doors, stood at their windows to wave at Santa.

Some children came to the sleigh to talk to Santa, to ask him to leave a special present for them on Christmas Day.

It was not until we finished the evening and we were packing up, that I noticed how cold it was and have heavy the rain was.

It is that time of the year again in many parts of the world where the festive season of Christmas is celebrated.

Last year I spent many weeks in the RIXOS Premium Hotel Belek in Antalya, Southern Turkey over the Christmas and New Year period, and on Xmas Day I was honoured to be Father Christmas, or Noel Baba, for the guests at a special festive meal.

Previous years I have been taking my share of being Father Christmas for the Rotary Club of Kingston upon Thames at the Christmas Tree outside Bentall’s Shopping Centre, and this year has been the same.

It is such a privilege to be the Father Christmas for the young children as they are taken shopping with their parents.

Phillip Holt as Santa with the Rotary Club of Kingston upon Thames

Phillip Holt as Father Christmas with the Rotary Club of Kingston upon Thames

The look in the children’s eyes as they see me, wonderment, they wave back as I wave at them, and when they come-up to Santa, and I engage them in a little conversation, memories food back to me of the time when I believed in Father Christmas.

I ask them what they want me to leave them on Christmas day, and it could be a scooter, a doll, a bicycle, and I wonder if their parents have brought their desires.

I always finish-off by asking them if they will leave me a minced pie and a carrot for Rudolph as we will be very hungry, and the children often add “and a glass of milk“. I always get a big “yes“.

We always offer the children a sweet from a little box in exchange for a donation that the children puts in our collecting bucket, the proceeds of which go to support local charities and services in the Royal Borough of Kingston.

The motto of the Rotary Club is Service above Self, and surely being Santa to the children is not a service but an honour.