After long day, Santa goes to Denny’s before heading to North Pole

LAYTON — Time at work always seems to move faster when things are busy.

Monday night, workers at the Layton Denny’s were slammed.

Of course, when you’re one of the few restaurants open on Christmas Eve, you’re going to get a few extra people — especially those who were just looking for dinner after a long day of working.

Not one or two. Not even three. Close to 20 of the jolly big guys in red showed up looking for something to eat.

“I’m Santa Claus!” said one of them with a deep voice loud enough for elves everywhere to look up.

It turns out, before going home to the North Pole, Santa(s) decided they should stop at the Denny’s just off Hill Field Road.

“They all look alike,” said one of the customers while watching Santa after Santa walk in the front doors.

It’s easy to understand why kids eating mini grand slams were truly scrambled.

“Say 'Merry Christmas!'” said one Santa to a wide-eyed, 4-year old girl, who wasn’t quite sure what was going on.

This wasn’t just a break for Santa, though. They were here for important Christmas business — like testing new Santa gloves.

“Try picking up your glass with this glove,” said one Santa to another. “Now go pick it up with your gloves and it’s like 'voom, voom,'” he said while describing a glass slipping through his hands.

“I like these gloves,” said the Santa.

This was the annual Christmas Eve meeting of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas in Utah.

Yes, like Santa, it exists.

“Our goal at the end of the year like this is to unite and tell stories of what we’ve had,” said Santa Dennis, who is one of the organizers of the group.

Of course, in order to be in this group, you have to have a real beard.

“One guy invited a kid last year with a fake beard,” said one of the Santa’s with a laugh.

Denny’s in Layton has become a tradition “because it’s the only place open,” said Santa Mack with a loud chuckle.

“We just figured this would be the most central location,” said Santa Dennis. “We have Santas in Logan all the way down to Utah County who come here.”

Even a Mrs. Claus — or two or three — came along to share tips and tricks.

“Some of the scared kids, they’re almost on that knee, and then I’ll say, ‘You know what, why don’t you tell Santa what you want?’ And they turn around like 'oh,' and then they’ll be OK with Santa,” said a Mrs. Claus.

Not only is this meeting a time to have some fun and get together, but it’s also a time to remember the other Santas who have moved on to the "Big North Pole."

So, when Nick Wiggill walked in, everyone started cheering.

“Look at the beard,” joked one of the Santa, while looking at the short stubble Nick was growing.

Yes, his name is Nick. For real.

“Yup. Exactly. After Santa Claus. That was him, so that’s what I was named,” said Nick Wiggill with a laugh.

He’s talking about his father, Mike Wiggill, who died two years ago and started this group back when there really was a lot more snow.

“From what the group was until now, he’d be ecstatic,” said Nick Wiggill. “He loved Christmas. He was Santa all year long and he showed it.”

The most important part of being Santa, of course, is children. Anytime one came in, the Santa’s stopped to meet the child and to let the magic happen.

“Well, you know Santa has got your list and he’ll see what he can do for you, OK?” said one of the Santas to a young girl who asked for a pony.

“Yeah,” said the girl.

There’s always time for kids, however, there seems to never be enough time to talk about Christmas. Their two-hour meeting seemed to be over before it even started.

Even while taking a break, Santa is always busy and the time went fast.

At about 12:30 Christmas morning, the Santas decided to call it a night and went outside to their reindeer (cars).

“Fun times,” said Santa Dennis. “We just enjoy one another’s camaraderie.”

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