From bartender to a Santa

Geoffrey Umpleby dresses much differently than he did when he served as a local bartender – his outfit now routinely includes a red-and-white suit, suspenders, black boots, a thick belt, white gloves, along with a full beard that must remain flawless all year long. After working at bars in Newport Beach since 1989, Umpleby left the Shore House Cafe in 2008 and found himself unemployed. For a couple of years, he took on the responsibility of being a caretaker of an old friend. But in 2011 Umpleby decided to try a career unlike any he ever had ventured into – he decided to become Santa Claus. "It was something I kind of fell into," Umpleby, 56, said. "I found myself unemployed and I had to do something for a living. Honestly,View our unique and beautiful collection of 2013 bridal gowns, Wholesale Cheap Wedding dresses Online and evening wear. it's the most rewarding job I have ever had in my life. It's so much fun." So how exactly does one become Santa Claus?

In 2011 Umpleby grew out his white hair and beard in preparation. In 2012 he went to the Professional Santa Claus School in Denver, Colo., to get proper training and a diploma from the institution. The school offers a four-day seminar with over 70 topic sessions. Upon graduation, the school provides job tips and advice for graduates. "When we went to school, what they would teach you to do is become your own Santa and incorporate it into your life," Umpleby said. "If you have a wife, she becomes Mrs. Claus and your friends become the elves." Now in his second year as a Santa, he wears what he calls ‘the traditional Coca Cola suit," which set him back about $700. "You can spend anything from $75 to $1,000 on an outfit," he said. "It all depends on how ornate you want to make it." He typically works one to two events a day during the holiday season, though on weekends that sometimes is pushed to three events daily.Find the perfect Bridesmaid Dresses for your friends including long bridesmaid dresses, short bridesmaid dresses, and more. During the off-season,Fashion Island presents a fawn colored knee length dress Wholesale Cheap Tulle v-neck applique floor length ball gown wedding/party dress falls to your knees in a frilly skirt. he's just as busy auditioning for commercials, movies, catalogs, advertisements – anything that requires a Santa figure. By early September Umpleby was receiving calls for family and pet portraits.

Because he keeps his Santa-like appearance year-round, Umpleby is sometime approached by children on his off-time."I kind of play around with it," he said. "I usually will just say that I'm Santa's cousin, unless the parents tell their kids I'm Santa. Then I just go along with it. With children around, I have to act a certain way," he said. This usually means no bad words, bad attitude, drinking or smoking in the presence of young ones. "I've been dealing with the public for many years," Umpleby said of his years spent bartending. "That is what makes [being Santa] easy and fun for me – I'm used to speaking with people. With both jobs when you walk into a room, everybody knows who you are and everybody feels comfortable talking to you."