Ralph Noon sat in a chair in the middle of a circle of a dozen Santas in a conference room at the Barbara C. Harris Camp and Conference Center in Greenfield.
Noon, a graduate of the International University of Santa Claus, was teaching a class titled “Who is Santa?” for beginning Santa Clauses – men, mostly over 60, looking to break into an industry that faces a lack of supply every November to December.
Noon, who is from Amesbury, Mass., and a member of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, shared tips on when to hand out the gifts to kids at a private party (at the end), why Santas should trim their nosehairs (kids look right up at them) and where to put your hands in photos with children (“Your hands need to be visible, on the shoulder or someplace appropriate”).