RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — One familiar face at Stony Point Fashion Center is spreading extra cheer this holiday season.
David Craig, a visual sales manager at Dillard’s, spends his days greeting customers and keeping the store in order. But after hours, he trades his name tag for a red suit and becomes Santa Claus.
"When Covid hit, I had some friends ask me, 'Would I be Santa for a party?'" Craig said. "The beard started growing, and my barber couldn't see me. So the beard got long enough. And so, we decided that that's when Santa was going to make its appearance."
Five years later, Craig said becoming Santa has been one of the most meaningful experiences of his life.
"It's just one of the most rewarding things I've ever done," he said. "We don't know what anybody is struggling with at that moment."
Craig suits up for private events, retirement centers, schools, family homes, and more - but his favorite place to spread holiday joy is right where he works: Dillard’s.
"My favorite part is seeing that no matter what the age is, whether it's an infant all the way up to someone that's over 100 years old, that you can bring a smile to their face for a moment and lots of joy," he said.
Over the years, Craig said he has built lasting relationships with families. He said he has even been there during their hardest moments.
"I spoke to the grandchildren and the family and friends about, you know, what was happening," he said. "And then I actually was honored to speak at his funeral as Santa."
Craig said he plans to continue spreading joy across Central Virginia for as long as he can -- one ho ho ho at a time.
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