Destinations

Father Christmas visits Weston

Posted at November 12, 2008 12:45

By Diana West

Dressed in a red velvet robe with rich dark mink down the front and cuffs, sleigh bells and braided cords on his pouch, and evergreen twigs on his beret and staff, Father Christmas can be seen strolling the downtown streets of Weston during the holiday season.  He greets young and old alike listening to their Christmas wishes and bringing magic to their lives.  “Christmas present, Christmas past, catch the glow, and make it last,” he says as he passes a crystal across a person’s palm.

As the fourteenth-century mythical character, Tom Hooper of Leavenworth, Kansas, has portrayed Father Christmas on weekends in Weston for the past twenty years during the yuletide season. The calm, mystical manner and twinkling eyes of this sixty-four-year-old draws people to take a closer look.  With a subtle smile and listening ear, he peers over his glasses to hear their wishes.

Tom, with eleven-inch white whiskers, is a natural for the part.  He says, though, he began portraying Father Christmas quite by accident.  “The robe was made with no one in mind to wear it,” he says.  He was asked to try it on and immediately felt the part.  Having participated in the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Tom was accustomed to acting a period role. His quiet presence and true-to-character costume complete the Father Christmas persona.

There is meaning in his apparel, which follows the Father Christmas legend.  The robe enables swift movement, the sleigh bells and braided cords stand for hope, and evergreen twigs on his beret and staff foretell the coming of spring.

Although the original Father Christmas carried a bundle of switches on his back and a bag of coal, which were for misbehaving children, this Father Christmas does not. “Children today don’t understand switches and coal is too messy,” he says.

Father Christmas will be on hand during the 27th Annual Candlelight Homes Tour at Weston spreading Christmas cheer while visiting with guests in the four, featured residences.  Tours are planned Friday, November 21, from 6 to 8 PM, and Saturday, November 22, from noon to 5 PM and 6 to 8:30 PM.  Tickets, ranging from $10 for the afternoon tour to $25 for the evening tour, are available through the Weston Chamber of Commerce.

In addition, this year Father Christmas will be auctioned off Friday and Saturday at 8:30 PM to appear at the winners’ Christmas event. Proceeds from the auction and homes tour benefit the all-volunteer Weston Chamber of Commerce.

Call 888-635-7457 or visit www.westonmo.com for more information.

 

December 2008

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