Though most families are focused on Thanksgiving this week, Lou Pugliese already has his eye on Christmas.

At first glance, things in his office look pretty run of the mill. His desk is scattered with manila folders, his wall adorned with professional awards and photos of his grandson Jack, and the lanyard around his neck identifies him as the performance improvement director at Eleanor Slater Hospital.

But then something stands out; a metal rectangle that reads, “Santa Parking Only.”

For the past 14 years, Lou Pugliese has led a double life – health care professional by day, Santa by December.

The path that led the 62-year-old Warwick resident to put on his red suit is surprisingly ordinary. Sitting by the pool one summer, the thought crossed his mind and never quite left. By the time the leaves started to change, Pugliese was scanning the classified ads to find a gig as St. Nick.

“When I look at my career, any time there’s an opportunity that comes my way and I haven’t done it before, if it’s interesting enough I say ‘I think I’ll try it,’” he said.

Although dying his beard took three attempts, Pugliese was ready to dive right in. A former elementary school teacher with four children of his own, the Providence native is a natural with children and his love for the holiday dates back to his own elementary days at St. Matthew School.

“They did Christmas big so Christmas has always been a big thing for me, all my life,” he said, recalling the annual holiday skit on the day before winter break. “That energy was in the air all the time.”

The same holds true today. The Christmas décor in Pugliese’s office is up all year long, he dons red at least twice a week and his season starts long before most people have started their shopping.

“I start playing Christmas music around the beginning of October,” he added.

After a little digging, Pugliese found a Santa opening at Emerald Square Mall, where he spent four years greeting children and listening to their secret wishes. From there, he moved to Providence Place Mall for another three.

During his first year in Providence, however, he saw a familiar face. It was a little girl named Charlie who had been a regular at Emerald Square. When her parents found out Pugliese had moved, they decided to follow because they wanted the same Santa in all of her photos. A couple years later, they asked their favorite Santa if he would consider visiting them at their home.

That, Pugliese thought, was a great idea.

“The closer to Christmas the longer the lines get, and the less time I got to spend with the kids,” he said.

So five years ago, Lou Pugliese left the mall and ventured into his own Santa for hire business.

“They’re opening their door to me and now I’m part of their Christmas tradition. I want to make it as authentic as I can,” he says.

To achieve that end, Pugliese has a formula for a successful Santa stop. With visits lasting at least an hour, he reads a Christmas story to the group assembled, takes pictures with the kids and shares “artifacts” from the North Pole. Pulling the items out of Santa’s sack one by one, he shows off Mrs. Claus’ glasses, Rudolph’s bells and a teacup sized for the elves. Many of the pieces in his collection come with a lesson as well, from finishing medicine to putting toys away.

Prior to knocking on the door – more practical than coming down the chimney – Pugliese makes sure he has a list with the names and ages of all the children there, to add a personal touch to the visit.

“I involve the kids in this process any way I can. They’re kind of mesmerized by it,” he said.

Pugliese visits more than 30 families each year, and the calendar on his wall is already crammed with visits and events where Lou takes a backseat to Nick. Between working at the hospital, teaching at Providence College, Salve Regina and the Brown University Medical School, and playing Santa, Pugliese is a busy man. On one Thursday in late November, he walked into his PC classroom in full gear.

“I do hope that in some small way, it brings Christmas a little closer to them,” he said.

Rather than take a big summer vacation, Pugliese looks forward to his winter break. Once Christmas has come and gone, he takes two weeks to recover before he’s back to work and back to thinking about the holiday season ahead.

“I’ve got a lot of things going on and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he said. “I’m just going to keep going until I can’t anymore.”

Sitting behind his desk, eyes sparkling over his authentic beard, Pugliese does look the part. His passion for what he does is tangible, and hearing a grown man gush over Christmas with child-like enthusiasm, it’s hard not to get caught up.

“I think it’s about a time of year when everyone is just focused on being together,” he said. “I like to keep that with me all year.”

For more information about Lou Pugliese, visit www.avisitfromsanta.com, e-mail info@avisitfromsanta.com or call 461-3403.



SANTA Q&A

What’s your favorite holiday tradition?

I would say being together with my family

Favorite Christmas food?

Turkey

Favorite Christmas music?

Coda from the Nutcracker Ballet

Favorite Christmas movies?

The Polar Express, The Family Stone and The Christmas Shoes