The Transformation into Santa and Mrs. Claus Began after a 51视频 Hockey Game
Image by Courtesy
12/16/2024
By Brooke Coupal
An 8-year-old girl climbed onto Santa Claus鈥� lap, admiring his velvety red suit and matching hat with white fur trim.
鈥淲hat do you want for Christmas?鈥� Santa asked the girl.
She pondered the age-old question before replying, 鈥淐lothes. Lots and lots of clothes.鈥�
鈥淥h, you like clothes?鈥� Santa repeated loud enough for the girl鈥檚 mother to hear.
鈥淚 do, but none of it鈥檚 for me,鈥� the girl said. 鈥淢y friend next door, they had an accident at their house and lost everything. I just want them to have a good Christmas.鈥�
The girl鈥檚 response brought tears to Santa鈥檚 eyes.
鈥淐an you do Santa a big favor?鈥� he asked. 鈥淧lease don鈥檛 ever change.鈥�
Moments like this are why Jim and聽Norma Levasseur聽portray Mr. and Mrs. Claus every holiday season.
Image by Luciana Calvin Photography
The couple鈥檚 transformation into the cheery characters started with a chance meeting at a 51视频 men鈥檚 ice hockey game. Having grown up in Lowell, the Levasseurs are huge River Hawks fans and hockey season ticket holders. Norma has worked at 51视频 for nearly 23 years, spending the last 14 years as the administrative assistant for the聽Department of Chemistry.
Jim, who sports a long, white beard, walked into the game wearing a red ski parka and spotted another bearded man with a similar jacket. 鈥淗ey, Santa. How鈥檙e you doing?鈥� Jim jokingly asked. The man responded with, 鈥淥h, good. We鈥檙e all here.鈥� The man had mistaken Jim for a member of the聽, a nonprofit for Christmas performers in the region. Curious, Norma and Jim inquired about the organization and say they鈥檝e been 鈥渉ooked since.鈥�
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Through the New England Santa Society, the Levasseurs underwent three years of 鈥淪anta Camp,鈥� which takes place every summer in Greenfield, New Hampshire. Over three days, the attendees learn the ins and outs of being Mr. and Mrs. Claus, from the best way to pose for photos to crafts they can work on with kids. One year, Norma taught a sign language class to the Santas, so they could interact with people who are hearing-impaired, like herself.
The Levasseurs transform into Mr. and Mrs. Claus primarily for house and corporate parties. Jim, who is also a member of IBRBS, formerly known as the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, previously performed at Cabela鈥檚, a sporting goods store in Hudson, Massachusetts.
Each year, Jim and Norma take part in 鈥溾�� by Luciana Calvin Photography in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Dressed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus, the Levasseurs interact with excited children as they share milk and cookies, call the North Pole and check the naughty-or-nice list. Calvin snaps pictures, capturing the holiday memories.
Image by Courtesy
Christmas has always been a special time for Jim and Norma, who have been married for 45 years. They host a big buffet dinner on Christmas, with 鈥淧ie Fest鈥� the day after.
鈥淧ie Fest is when everybody comes back and eats dessert because nobody had room the day before,鈥� Norma says.
The Levasseurs鈥� holiday parties usually consist of family, including their two kids and four grandchildren, friends, and students from 51视频, particularly those who live far from home.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want anyone to be alone for the holidays,鈥� Norma says. 鈥淭here鈥檚 always room at our table.鈥�
Norma and Jim say they are grateful to act as Santa鈥檚 helpers and bring smiles to children鈥檚 faces, like the 8-year-old girl they met some years ago.
鈥淭he kids give you hope for the world,鈥� Jim says.