Santa Shannon Settles, Guest Instructor

Shannon Settles has been a Santa since 2007, when on a whim he sprayed his beard white and showed up to Christmas morning services to the delight of the children. It was a tiny church, so all the children knew it was Shannon playing Santa, but it was a magical time, nonetheless, and he was hooked!

Shannon is the type to overthink things and in the year gearing up to become a professional Santa he devoured the forums on ClausNet, learned to sew and made his own suit, and learned everything possible about bleaching beards. He has helped hundreds of dark-haired men not only transition to white but also to find a regimen that lets them keep their hair healthy. Other topics Shannon has instructed on include his method for avoiding conflicts in yearly repeating events, set photography operations, and off-season activities to make sure Santa is ready to roll come November.

Shannon has been married to his beloved, Mary, for 23 years. They enjoy touring in their motorhome with their two fur-babies (dachshunds) and visiting the grandkids. When not on the road their home is an 85-year-old rehab project. Shannon also enjoys woodworking and word games.