Signing Santa Can Convey Christmas Magic in ASL

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For the past 19 years, ever since the Cherry Creek Shopping Center opened in Denver, CO, children have had an opportunity each holiday season to visit with a Santa who can “Ho-Ho-Ho!” in sign language.

“Everyone should be able to tell Santa what they want,” said Angela Baier, the shopping center’s marketing and sponsorship director.  “People are genuinely touched by seeing the children speaking to Santa in their own language.”

During December, the mall provides transportation on appointed days for hundreds of kids who are deaf or have hearing loss can convey their wishes to good ol’ St. Nick.  One of the mall’s regular Santas knows sign language and is capable of conversing about requests.

“Last year a little boy asked Santa for a red Ferrari,” said Baier.  “The media was here and he was on the evening news.   Our local Ferrari dealer saw the story, contacted us to find the boy and delivered an authentic red Ferrari miniature car to the boy’s home.”

Thomas Shaffer, a program manager for the Northeast PA Center for Independent Living in Scranton, PA, is someone who strives to keep Christmas magic alive by putting on a Santa suit.

Local children who are deaf or have hearing loss are able to connect with Santa through a videophone, an Internet-based system with video that allows parties to see each other on screen. 

When describing last year’s successful interactions, Shaffer said, “The face expressions of the deaf children seeing Santa Claus signing in American Sign Language were the most memorable reactions.” According to him, children opened their eyes wide and their jaws dropped because of the excitement that Santa Claus could communicate in ASL.

As someone with profound hearing loss, Shaffer said he remembers what it was like trying to visit with Santa as a child.  “It was pretty difficult to see with all of the white moustache and beard all over, but I did see his eyes and cheeks that gave indication of a happy face.  He picked up a present and handed it over to me.”

It was basically a wordless visit, but seeing Santa’s kindness and loving gestures impressed Shaffer.  He said he would have been really amazed if Santa had been able to sign.

Across the country, various organizations and clubs exist to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing, Shaffer reminded.  He recommended contacting the state Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing to find out details about signing Santa events in a particular area.