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“You don’t get second takes, Payne. Hawk could’ve caught on, used his gun, taken a shot,” Nathan says as I turn toward the lobby. I’m too cold and too tired for a lecture, and I don’t know what to do with this version of Nathan who cares about my safety and well-being. “You make one mistake, you die. This is it.”

“You think I don’t know that?” I ask over my shoulder. My heart pinches at his desperate tone, at the way I really do know that there are no second chances when it comes to life and death. “I know it better than anyone.”

They’re the last words we say to each other for another year before we fly back to our respective corners of the country.

Santa (of the Year) Is Coming to Town Get ready to welcome the most wonderful holiday event of the year

By Roxanne Nolan, staff writer, The City Daily December 20

New York, NY. The beloved Christmas tradition of the year is coming back to town! On the midnight before Christmas Eve, a Santa of the Year will be crowned at the 50th anniversary of the Santa Claus Con.

But first, 50 people from around the world will compete for the Santa hat and top title in front of a live audience. Tickets for the competitions sold out in 25 minutes, but not to worry—if you weren’t lucky enough to snag one, every game will be livestreamed.

Santa of the Year is no ordinary crowning achievement as the winner plays an important role in the community. As always, the previous Santa of the Year is automatically invited back and given one of the coveted 50 spots. Cameron Pearson, 33, has accepted the challenge and will be back competing to retain her title. With multiple brand endorsements and deals under her belt this past year, it makes sense Pearson would try her hand at being Santa for a second year in a row. By doing so, she’ll cement herself in Santa Claus Con history and retain current sponsorships. Turns out, being Santa can mean big money.

Not only that, hosting the Santa Claus Con can also mean big money. Most of the festivities will take place at the Plaza Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, just on the edge of Central Park, thanks to their slew of sponsors. The Plaza got involved when the Con gained streamer involvement—and who can blame them? That publicity is too good to pass up.

This year, the games are getting a refresh, as are the rules. If you followed along last year, you’ll know the competition got a bit intense when law enforcement threatened to revoke Pearson’s title due to her speeding in the sleigh race. The toy-delivery portion of the games has been updated for competitors to use cars instead of wheeled sleighs to ensure that everyone can more easily follow New York’s traffic rules and regulations.

Security is also being ramped up this year as live audience numbers are expected to triple. Only bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC will be allowed in. Check the Santa Claus Con’s website for a full list of what you can and cannot take into the games.

The games kick off on December 23 at 9:00 a.m. at Wollman Rink. During breaks, ticket holders can enjoy activities and performances by special artists. Find the schedule of performances online.

Follow along on social media where I’ll be posting live. Let the merry games begin!

328 comments

@SantaBaby77: This is my favorite event of the year! Soooo happy they’re livestreaming it this time. Wish more events would follow their lead and do this.

@TeamSantaCameron: #TeamCameron!! I’ll be cheering her on to take the SOTY title for a second year in a row.

@CoffeeAndCruellers5938: The Plaza?? Those sponsors are no joke. Apparently they’re gonna have like, convertibles for each contestant during the toy delivery. Sounds cute, but also cold.

@YoureAMeanOneMissesFinch: Srsly? They’re really going all out this year. What’s with the tightened security tho?

@TeamSantaCameron: You saw what happened last year when Cameron won… people booing and throwing their candy cane foam batons. Wild stuff. TBH, fans felt a little tooooo confident expressing their opinions on SOTY being a woman. TG they’re doing more this year.

@YoureAMeanOneMissesFinch: Just seems a little suspicious is all…

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Chapter 7

SCARLETT

Not once did I spend a second of brain energy thinking about what the Santa Claus Con headquarters would look like, but if I had, I’d have imagined a Santa’s workshop-like environment filled with Christmas trees, stockings hung by a virtual fireplace playing on a monitor, and wrapped toys scattered throughout.

And I’d have been wrong.

I thought at the minimum we’d have been offered milk and cookies. Instead, I sip from a warm mini water bottle some executive assistant probably had delivered from Costco.

Maybe it’s because we’re having a last-minute meeting on a Sunday and the festivities pick up again on Monday, but I’m disappointed to learn that their HQ looks just like any other office with cubicles and unflattering lighting and slow elevators. The only part of the space that tips me off that these people do anything at all Santa related are the autographed photos of past winners lining the walls. Where’s all the Christmas magic? I make a mental note to look into the Con for money laundering.

“Miss Payne, do you know how many applications we received for this year’s Con?” Nelly Summers, one of the Con’s executive directors and show hosts, asks me. She sits directly across from us at a long table in a white-walled conference room called Blitzen. At least there’s that.

“Let me guess,” I say, tapping my fingers against my cheek. I know last year’s was just over fourteen thousand, but this year’s prize is bigger so there was no doubt more. “Twenty-five thousand?”

Nelly smiles. “No—”