Jay Frankston

A Christmas Story Jay Frankston

When Jay Frankston was a child, Christmas felt like a big party he wasn't invited to. Jay is Jewish, and Christmas was everyone else's holiday, so when he grew up and had a family of his own, he wanted to give his children what he had longed for. He bought a Christmas tree, loaded it with lights, and topped it with a Star of David! He played Santa for his kids for three years, wearing a mask and a Santa suit his wife made for him, yet something was still missing. Then he was given access to some of the thousands of letters written to Santa Claus by kids, letters that languished in the post office each year.

Jay sent a telegram to nine kids: "Got your letter. Will be at your house Christmas Day. Santa." Then he went out and bought gifts. On Christmas he dressed in his Santa costume, and his wife drove him to each kid's home. Eventually, some toy manufacturers heard about what Jay was doing and gave him lots of goodies. Before long Jay was Santa Claus to 120 youngsters every Christmas.