Santa's Workshop Brings Old-Fashioned Holiday Cheer

With a line of patrons halfway around its log-cabin facade, and nary a frustrated face in sight, it's clear that Santa's Workshop at Wickham Park is doing the trick this holiday season. 

The frills of common-place, come-sit-on-Santa's-lap affairs at shopping malls and the like are nowhere to be found. In their place, Mrs. Claus greets children with free cups of hot cocoa and cookies; Santa's helpers are seated, painting some of the many toys to be delivered two weeks from now; and St. Nick himself puts on the charm for an anxious youngster.

It's a world away from rushed lines and limitations on photographing your own children — just as Santa's Workshop creator and Wickham Park Director Jeff Maron intended.

30 years ago, Maron, inspired by the popular Norelco commercial featuring Santa riding an electric razor, was resolved to provide a Christmas experience to the public void of commercialism.

It's the essence of Christmas — the family-friendly atmosphere, abundant holiday cheer and no admission fee - that keeps families standing in near-freezing weather and returning to Santa's Workshop year after year.

It's also the fact that Santa' Workshop doesn't hire a professional photographer to take and sell photos. Instead, they encourage parents to bring their own cameras and take as many photos as they'd like.

Sunday was the third consecutive year Mike Mason and his family visited Wickham's Santa.

"It's rare," said Mason of the Workshop's charm, noting his son's enthusiasm for Santa and the work his helpers do in front of patrons.

East Hartford resident Jayme Brown visited the Workshop for the first time on Sunday with her daughter.

"I actually haven't gone to the mall because it's so crowded and it costs $15," she said.

"This one [Santa's Workshop] is nice. You walk in and it's cozy and warm. It's just an old-fashioned Christmas," she added.

It's also a joy for the workers. 

"This place really is magical," said Caitlin Dillon, who has worked at the Workshop for six years.

"It doesn't matter that it's the same hting every year. We have the best Santa. He's so patient with all of the kids," said Dillon.

While Santa may have to put a twinkle in his eye in order to coax the most reluctant of children to reveal what they'd like to receive for Christmas, Mrs. Claus, played by Geraldine Cyr, is always a hit, as she hands out free hot chocolate and cookies to everyone who passes through.

"It's good to see all of their faces, especially the little ones. They all really enjoy it," said Cyr, who has been Mrs. Claus for three years.

Even by the end of the day, Santa and his helpers' smiles are as fresh as each new face that passes through the cabin.

Santa's Workshop is open December 15-23 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. on weekdays and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. on weekends at Wickham Park in Manchester.

There is no admission fee.

The park does accept non-perishable food donations.