For over 25 years, Jim McGinniss has been portraying Santa Claus. He is known to be a gentle and caring Santa who is especially respected by children. “The children love him because of his gentility and his all-natural Santa look,” said Mitchell. “The parents like him because of his irrepressible knack of cracking humorous one liners during their visits with him.”
A former St. Francis University professor, McGinniss is also a retail store consultant, a newspaper writer and marketing consultant who also dabbles in politics. He truly enjoys his holiday role as Santa, especially when he is at White Marlin Mall. “It’s great being back as the Strolling Santa at White Marlin Mall,”said McGinniss. “The White Marlin Mall’s holiday atmosphere makes you want to celebrate a wonderful holiday like Christmas. It just feels so good walking around in a festive atmosphere during a joyous holiday season.”
Strolling Santa McGinniss has lots of experience playing the white-haired saint. He was frequently cast as Santa Claus in Baltimore and was featured as Santa in an article that was published in Baltimore Magazine. He has also appeared in Ocean City and Berlin on numerous occasions.
Jim “Santa Claus” McGinniss makes 30 to 40 appearances each Christmas holiday season. During those appearances the most requested gifts for children are guns and sporting equipment for boys and dolls for girls. Santa McGinniss said the most touching gift request he ever heard was that of a girl who wanted to find a husband for her mother.