Anyone can don the iconic red and white costume and dress up like Santa Claus but the real magic happens when that person’s life, without the Santa suit, mirrors St. Nicholas’ mission to have compassion on the hurting and care for children.
Meet Plant City residents Gary and Gina Blake, who have been bringing joy to children and adults alike for more than 30 years. What began as a simple desire to ease the burden of a family member turned into a beloved tradition of becoming the go-to Mr. And Mrs Claus, who spend the holiday season bringing the spirit of Christmas to others.
Gary Blake first took on the role of Mr. Claus in 1987 when his former mother-in-law explained to him how it would be impossible to herd all of the children she cared for to see Santa.
He thought he could fix that. “I bought a cheapo Santa suit from Zayre’s or K-mart and went to her house and played Santa,” he said. “At first the kids screamed and were afraid but when I called them by name they slowly calmed down.”
The act of service warmed his heart, knowing he was spreading Christmas cheer. “It made me feel so good inside, seeing the sparkle in the children’s eyes,” he said. “There so much bad stuff that goes on for children, this was something positive.”
A Santa Claus was born, but when he saw the first photos of himself with the children, he quickly realized his Santa needed a makeover. Eventually he traded in the inexpensive Santa costume for a custom one. He now owns several, including a high-quality beard. He also improved his makeup. “I knew I had to do something makeup wise so I experimented,” he said. “I took lipstick and smeared it on my cheeks and realized it helped the look and cut down on the glare of the flash.”
As news that he was Santa spread, he put the costume on for friends, neighbors and charity events.
Then he met Gina, who would one day become his Mrs. Claus. “When we meet I told her I’m Santa, that I like doing Santa and asked her if she was okay with that,” he said.
She was.
The couple married in 1990. Gina, who works at South Florida Baptist Hospital, had two children from a previous marriage (Kyle, 2, and Krysteena, 4), said that being married to Santa while her children were young was a trying time.
“The hospital had a Christmas party every year for the employee’s children and Gary was Santa,” she said.
She didn’t wan’t to spoil the magic of Christmas for her children. “The kids didn’t know we were Santa and Mrs. Claus, it was a complete secret and we didn’t want to spoil that for them,” she said.
The couple lived within walking distance to the hospital. “I’d drop them off at the party with someone I trusted, go back home and get dressed, show up as Santa and Mrs. Claus, go back home and change and then go pick them up,” she said. “We did that for years.”
When the couple tired of the physically exhausting ruse, they concocted an elaborate scheme to continue the tradition without ruining Christmas for the kids. “I boxed up the Santa suit and mailed it to us from the North Pole,” recalled Gina. Included in the box was a letter that said their dad had been selected to help Santa. “They were so excited, the box also included a contract that they needed to sign saying they wouldn’t tell anyone the secret,” said Gina. “It worked.”
Even though their children are now grown and have kids of their own, the Blakes continue to be Santa and Mrs. Claus for the hospital’s annual holiday party. They are also fixtures at Lights of Love, Christmas Lane and several strawberry growers’ Christmas parties. They even make random appearances at local businesses, like Applebee’s where the couple has date night every Monday evening.
After more than three decades as Santa, Gary’s biggest dream came true when, several years ago, he was asked to be Santa in the city’s Christmas parade. “I had begged and begged, calling city officials for years because it was my ultimate dream to be in our hometown Christmas parade,” he said.
The couple is on the schedule to be in the parade every other year. This is their year, when they’ll ride atop the parade’s final float, smiling and waving to boys and girls.
While interviewing the couple in preparation for writing this story, it was apparent how much Mrs. Claus loves her Santa. “I’m going to tell you something about this man, he is the most genuine, loving person who loves every single person that walks on this earth,” she beamed. “He will meet you one time and call you his friend, he has such a passion for people and can’t stand to see people sad or hurt.”
As the couple gears up for another busy year as the beloved holiday couple, they reflect on the joy they’ve brought to countless families and express gratitude for not only the memories they’ve created but the impact it’s had on their souls. “Anyone can BE Santa but we LIVE Santa, we become Santa,” said Gina. “You walk away from every event feeling grateful for everything, we’ve learned more lessons than I can even tell you.”
One of those lessons is some children living in impoverished circumstances don’t ask for expensive cell phones or toys. They tell Santa they wish for warm clothes to work in or things their family needs. “You’d expect those kids to have a long wish list but they ask for something for family members,” said Gina. “It’s really touching.”
Children are often very candid when they sit on Santa’s lap and what they ask Santa for might be surprising. “We’ve heard some very hard things over the years, like a child who want mom and dad to stop fighting, or who wants their siblings to not be sick anymore or one who wants a military parent to come home from an overseas deployment,” said Gina. “In those moments, Santa and Mrs. Claus will have tears in their eyes but we have to pull ourselves together.”
The magic of becoming Santa and Mrs. Claus is as much about what is received as what is given.
“Llike the Grinch my heart gets bigger every time I put on the suit,” said Gary. “It’s overwhelming in such a good way, it’s a blessing.”