Diverse depictions of Santa and his helpers have become more accessible to families in recent years. This growing trend reflects a broader push for diversity and representation in holiday traditions.
At the West Dallas Christmas Block Party, volunteers in elf hats were manning stations for children. They were giving out colorful Christmas stockings, painting faces, and making balloon animals. Families who came to the Christmas party received a meal, and got a box full of food to take home with them, and for the kids, all sorts of fun holiday activities.
The Importance of Representation
James Armstrong, the president of Builders of Hope, an organization that builds affordable housing in Dallas, says for the first time this year, that includes a Black Santa Claus. Armstrong explained the importance of this decision: "To be honest with you, you know, the kids here can't relate to a white Santa because they see in their community Black and brown people," he said. "And so it was very important for cultural representation, that kids see that someone as magical and amazing as Santa can be Black like them."
Nastashia Stokes of DFW Black Santa highlights the increasing availability of diverse Santas: "You can find Black Santa at Hobby Lobby, T.J. Maxx, Burlington, Ross, Walmart, Target, like all those stores," says Nastashia Stokes of DFW Black Santa. "Old Navy even has Black Santa Claus pajamas."
She says slowly, times are changing. But it wasn't always like this. "When I was younger, that wasn't a thing. It was white Santa Claus, and you had to paint him Black," Stokes said.
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DFW Black Santa: Meeting the Demand
When Nastashia Stokes moved to Texas from New Orleans, it was hard to find Black Santa for her kids. So, she and her partner, Justin Peach, started DFW Black Santa last year. Peach has the red suit on today to give local kids the chance to see a more familiar Santa. "It's highly wanted, highly needed. Yeah, it's a big demand," he says.
The pair say the demand from the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone is more than they can handle. Since they started last year, they have added another Santa to the team. Still, they say it's hard to keep up with all the requests they get on social media. Today, they've already done four events.
Peach says he doesn't do this work for the money. For him, it's about giving back to the community he grew up in. Earlier today, when a little girl sat down to take her picture next to him, he was reminded of why he loves what he does so much. "When we were done with our pictures, she was like, 'I'm so happy to see a Santa that looks like me.' And that just kinda touched me and really made me feel good about what I'm doing," he said.
Stokes says that kind of reaction from families isn't rare. She hears a lot of stories from parents desperate to give their children a more meaningful Christmas experience.
The Magic of Inclusion
Santa and the importance of representation
Stokes says at the end of the day, feeling included is part of the magic of Christmas. "I just think that it is important that they see someone who looks like them, if they're going to see a big man giving presents, it might as well look like daddy or uncle or grandpa, you know?" she said.
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And Santa Claus can be whatever you imagine him to be. Stokes says that it is magic.
Celebrating Diversity with Ornaments
These African American Elves Ornaments from Kurt Adler are a charming and diverse addition to your holiday decor that celebrates the spirit of Christmas with a touch of inclusivity. Included in this assortment are three ornaments, each featuring African American elves dressed in festive attire, ready to bring holiday cheer to your Christmas tree. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, these ornaments capture the essence of the holiday season and the joy of gift-giving.
The diversity in these ornaments reflects the richness of our world and adds a touch of inclusivity and representation to your holiday decorations, making them a cherished part of your festive traditions and a source of holiday spirit for family and friends. They bring a sense of inclusivity and festive spirit to your decor, making them a captivating addition to your holiday celebrations.
Enhance your holiday decor with the diverse and inclusive appeal of the African American Elves Ornaments.
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