Did you know that Santa is from the Woodlands? Yes, you heard me correctly, although Santa is believed to come from the North Pole, he actually resides within our own ninth-grade campus! Meet Carolyn Czubinski, ninth-grade campus registrar, and her husband Jerry Czubinski. Despite both working full-time jobs, the Czubinski’s play a very active role in the Houston area’s Santa community. In fact, this duo is so in demand that Santa is already booked for next year. 

 “I didn’t know it could be this big.” Carolyn, otherwise known as Mrs. Claus, admitted.

Who is Santa? The Blue Angel Behind the Beard

Before he was trading in his driver’s license for a reindeer harness, Jerry Czubinski served a heroic tour. He spent 25 years in the Navy and during that time, was also a mechanic for the world-famous Blue Angels- earning him the nicknames Sailor to Santa and the Blue Angel Santa.

The whole Santa gig started as a common tradition many men participate in: No Shave November. Due to the impressive length of the beard Jerry could grow, which he previously cut at the end of the month, his sisters and Carolyn began to joke about him dressing up as Santa. Mrs. Czubinski had long encouraged him to embrace the role, given his kind heart and ability to grow a natural white beard.

It wasn’t until 2020 that his new identity was truly created. That year, Jerry made a call to cheer up a niece who was having a hard time. He made the call dressed in a Santa suit bought from Macy’s and used a Santa bag gifted by his uncle. He offered her the perfect solution: a middle list.

“So you’re not quite on the nice list yet, but you’re also not on the you’re not naughty list. You’re in the middle. So you still have time to be on the nice list,” Carolyn explained.

As his fame grew, Mrs. Claus was drafted into service despite her initial hesitation.

“So now all of a sudden, it’s like, ‘well, since I’m Santa, you have to be Mrs. Claus. ‘Oh, no, I didn’t sign up for that,’ she said.

Mrs. Claus laughs, “I kind of created a monster.”

Now, he rarely attends events without her, and her event marketing background has been useful during photoshoots and other various activities.

Beyond the Suit: Santa’s Year-Round Dedication to Service

Being a professional Santa requires more than just a big belly and a warm laugh; it demands integrity and adherence to surprisingly modern safety protocols. Integrity is essential, forget chasing the bigger paycheck. This Santa’s ethics are ironclad, if he has a low-paying gig booked, he sticks with it.

“If he already has a gig, and a better one comes along, he won’t take it. Even if what he’s doing is not paid. It just shows his integrity,” Carolyn explains. 

Mrs. Claus said that he had turned down many high-profile opportunities because he had a previous commitment to another group. He has even declined an offer from the Texans. 

“My husband has a really good heart, much better than mine,” Mrs. Claus gushes.

With that spirit, the Czubinskis’ have fully committed to their new way of life. While most of us are breaking out the spooky décor in October, their house is in full holiday swing 365 days a year, complete with a whole room dedicated to Claus gear.

While they make appearances on magazine covers and at corporate events, their real passion is serving the community where traditional Santas can’t go.

Their absolute favorite thing is working with Moses Closet; a network of nonprofit groups that provides necessities to children and families in the foster care and adoption system. What they provide helps placement families have everything they need when children enter their home unexpectedly.  

“I love those kids, and we’ve seen a lot of them year after year,” Mrs. Claus said. 

Santa and Mrs. Claus also work the Super Feast in Houston, which feeds and gives gifts to up to 25,000 families. Recently, they worked the “drive-through” and experienced the joy of physically giving the gifts to children in need. 

She says, “I’m throwing the stuffed animals in the cars and chucking them in like a football.”

The 365-Day Spirit of Giving

On top of the 24/7, 365 days a year Santa business, Mr. Claus also works a full-time job as a director of operations. His wife explained the difficulty of fitting in all their jobs, social activities, and family time. This has especially proved hard with finding the time to see their adult children, who live out of state. 

“My son is not going to be coming this year because when he comes, we don’t get to see them. So they come for Christmas and we’re not there,” she said. 

The Woodlands’ own Santa and Mrs. Claus embody a true dedication to service, a trait Jerry carried from his 25 years as a Blue Angel mechanic right into his commitment as Santa. Though their passion for giving means sacrificing precious time with their own children, the Czubinski couple prove that the Christmas spirit isn’t a seasonal suit you put on; it’s a 365-day profession of the heart that blesses the community.

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