Reimagining Santa — It’s Time
He is beloved by children around the world — Santa Claus. Children eagerly wait in line to tell him what they want for Christmas. He is the most special guest at the Macy’s Parade each Thanksgiving. He has appeared in more movies (live action and animated) than one can count; and, he has captured the attention of scholarly author, Yvonne Vissing in a big way. Vissing has not written one, but five books about Santa Claus this year in The Santa Series. Vissing invites readers to reimagine the jolly old soul in a way that is inclusive, diverse, and relevant in our multicultural world.
2020 has not been kind to people physically, emotionally or financially in many cases. The series addresses that by providing a source for the kind of optimism and giving that the spirit of Santa can bring. “People deserve a break from the stressors and problems that confront them daily, from being sick with Covid, to being evicted, racial tensions, job loss, virtual learning, loss of human contact,” said Vissing. “Re-imagining Santa to be a spirit of loving-kindness that anyone, and everyone, can deliver to each other takes away pressures of spending money and refocuses our attention on what matters most – having positive relationships with others and feeling we matter.”
Vissing’s inspiration for the series came from one of her father’s American Legion buddies, Jim Yellig. Yellig was the founder of Santa Claus Land, a theme park which pre-dated Disneyland. “Since Jim was from Santa Claus, Indiana, during WWII he became a Santa Claus for children,” said Vissing. Later he played Santa at the theme park. “It was mind-boggling as a child going to the Santa Claus Land theme park and seeing Santa in a red suit being so happy to see my dad that he threw his arms around him. One summer Santa Jim came to our house and brought my brother and me 100 pine seedlings to plant in our yard so the Santa Spirit could grow in my heart. And it did! So, I grew up seeing that a Santa could be a magical guy who was also a real human being,” she said.
“During the spring lock-down, I wondered what I could do to help increase joy and altruism for this holiday season,” said Vissing. “Going back to the history and fundamentals of Santa Claus, the constant theme for him has to been spread the spirit of loving-kindness to everyone. You don’t have to spend money to do that.” The Series was born.
“I hope readers will take away the thought that Santa has always been a product of social construction. In order for him to be of benefit to the lives of all children, it’s time for him to be Re-Imagined,” said Vissing. “In one way, he was never a real person. In another way, the spirit of loving-kindness has always existed and delivered through the annual arrival of Santa Claus. If love is real, Santa can be real, if we focus on what he delivers as joy and altruism instead of the bringer of more and more expensive items.”
The series includes:
The Santa Spirit – Children’s Picture Book
This beautifully illustrated picture book is for children of all ages. It explains what the Santa Spirit is and how it can be shared by anyone and everyone. Embracing diversity and inclusion, it provides a history of how Santa Claus came to be, how he has transformed over time, and why he continues to be the spirit of happiness and generosity.
Reimagine Santa: The social construction and transformation of Santa Claus yesterday, today and tomorrow
Santa isn’t just a children’s issue! This is a comprehensive, provocative, well-researched social, psychological, political book about Santa for thoughtful adults wanting to know how Santa became pervasive, how to handle him, and best ways to transform him in an inclusive, diverse, multicultural world.
The ABCs of the Santa Spirit for Adult
We all need to be reminded of our ABCs. This A to Z book helps adults to rediscover joy and loving-kindness in their own lives. Adults role-model behaviors and attitudes that children learn and copy. This book gives hundreds of ways for everyone to find the Santa Spirit and share it.
The Legend of the Santa Stocking – Fiction
This family-focused book tells the story of a financially-struggling family that replaces major gift-giving with the creation of stockings in which family members put reminders of why each other are special into their stockings instead of store-bought presents. The result was “the best Christmas ever.” The result is a feel-good story that provides a framework that every family can use to find joy through appreciating one another.
A Santa Spirit Advent Calendar Book: COVID Edition
COVID doesn’t have to spoil Christmas! Here are 24 days of fun family-friendly activities and readings to do each day, like opening an Advent calendar, as we await the arrival of Santa. These joyful, no or low-cost activities can bond families together without ever leaving home.
Books in The Santa Series are available at independent book stores including Gibson’s Books and the Toadstool Bookshops; as well as at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Walmart and other retail stores.
