Sal Lizard

Sal Lizard shares his experiences of portraying Santa Claus in this memoir. No, that’s not quite right. He really has become the spirit of Santa Claus, even when he is not in his traditional red suit. Not all the memories are good or happy ones, but most are. He has been Santa for decades, in a variety of ways. He has interacted with small kids and with big kids; with healthy kids and with sick and dying ones; with kids who believed in Santa and with those who had mostly lost the magic of believing. Through it all, Sal has done his best to live up to the high standards he has set for himself. This memoir, written with the help of writer Jonathon Lane, is an astonishing collection of Sal’s experiences through the years. From the tiniest toddler to the 80 year old grandma who gets her picture taken with Santa every year of her life, Sal is Santa Claus, and has done his best to spread joy and encouragement to others. This memoir will perhaps inspire others to follow his example. You don’t have to wear a red suit to share the joy of Christmas with those you meet.… (more)

From an early age (his 20s) Sal Lizard started to resemble one of the most beloved figures in history. He had the white hair and beard and decided to add the red suit, when asked by a friend for a favor. He went on for years playing a most admirable and recognizable Santa Claus - even in Bermuda shorts and sandals.

He slowly discovered the true meaning of Christmas throughout his many years as Santa, even when he himself was beginning to doubt. He found that is is the spirit of the people, the love that that bring to each other - that he could bring to them.

He played the ubiquitous mall Santa, he went into people's homes, he did parties and pajama visits. His hardest was going into hospitals - but he did and came away different.

He loved what he did and it showed. He would get down on the floor and play with an upset child. He always has a candy cane to give out - even in July.

I was offered this book as an Early Reviewer in 2012 and I "won" a copy but it got lost in the mail and never arrived. I bought it this year and it was well worth the wait. It is a thoughtful and wonderful read and made me think again what Christmas really means - not just what is seen by all, but what is unseen unless we bring it out for all to enjoy.… (more)