November 20, 2024

Keeping Christmas Cool

The holiday season is filled with festive cheer, and for Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, and other Christmas performers, this often means wearing intricate and sometimes heavy costumes to bring the magic of Christmas to life. However, as anyone who’s donned a full Santa suit, Mrs. Claus dress and cape, or Elf costume can attest, the holiday spirit can sometimes come at a high temperature! Staying cool in costume is a challenge many holiday performers face, whether you’re in a traditional red suit with fur, a multi-layered Mrs. Claus ensemble, a shiny green Elf outfit, or a full-body snowman or reindeer costume.

When you’re working the Christmas parade or taking photos with excited children, the last thing you want is to overheat and lose that festive glow. ThermApparel’s Christmas Performer Cooling Plan is here to help you stay cool and comfortable so you can keep spreading Christmas joy all day long.

➡️ Download your free Costume Cooling Plan!! ⬅️

The Hidden Dangers of Heat for Christmas Performers

Did you know heat can be a silent but serious threat, especially for performers in full holiday costumes? Heat causes more deaths each year than hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods combined. Yet, it’s not often recognized as the danger it is. Whether inside a busy shopping mall posing for photos with kids, walking around a winter wonderland at a Christmas festival, or performing at a Christmas event, overheating can quickly turn your jolly experience into a sweaty struggle.

The key factor here is the heat index, which blends air temperature with humidity to tell you how hot it really feels. That 70°F (21°C) on the thermometer can feel much hotter when wrapped in layers of warm fabric and fur. When the heat index climbs past 95°F (35°C) inside your outfit, your energy levels and ability to perform can drop by as much as 45%.

"Hey everybody, it's Santa Mel coming to you from the ThermApparel booth. ThermApparel has some amazing cooling vests, and cooling wraps. I've been a Santa for 30 years. These suits get hot and when you get too hot, you can't enjoy being with the children as much. I tried this product two years ago. I have two vests that I own right now. ThermApparel has actually saved my life and saved my season. Gone are the uncomfortable days of being too hot and not being able to enjoy the children and listen to their dreams. Their lightweight vests are low maintenance, just fantastically comfortable. They fit everybody, from the very little to people to my size and beyond. It's just an amazing product. So if you're looking to stay cool, you're looking for a cool product. See Julia and ThermApparel, wherever they may be, you will not go wrong. Not only are they really cool and keep you comfortable, but they keep your wallet comfortable too because it's a good investment."

Christmas Performer Cooling Plan

ThermApparel’s Christmas Performer Cooling Plan helps you beat the heat, so you can deliver the holiday magic without the discomfort. The plan breaks down into three key stages: Pre-Cooling, Event Cooling, and Post-Cooling. By following these simple steps, you’ll stay cool and energetic from the moment you put on your suit until the last Christmas cheer is shared.

Pre-Cooling

Don’t wait until you’re in full Santa gear to start cooling down! Pre-cooling the day before your event and a few hours before you get dressed helps regulate your body temperature, to help your body handle heat more effectively when you suit up in your festive attire. A few cooling accessories like the CoolSleeves and Headband will help keep you chill while you get ready.

Pre-Cooling Tips:

  • Keep a towel handy to wipe off your cooling packs after they’ve been in ice water.
  • If you only have one set of cooling packs, refreeze them 30-60 minutes before putting on the red suit or slipping into your costume.
  • Hydrate well by sipping cold water throughout the day, and practice switching out your cooling packs to become familiar with the process.

Why Pre-Cooling is Important:

Pre-cooling helps your body handle heat more effectively, keeping your energy levels high and reducing exhaustion. The right preparation means you’ll stay cool and comfortable while spreading holiday cheer!

Event Cooling

During the event, keep cool and hydrated. Before you zip up your suit, remove your CoolSleeves and Headband, then stash them in the freezer. Put on your Cooling Vest and switch out your cooling packs if you have an extra set—store the used packs in the freezer to keep them ready for the next round.

Event Cooling Tips:

  • For Christmas in July use a festive UV umbrella (maybe with reindeer antlers) for sun protection when waiting for photos or performances. It brings the ambient temperature down by 10 degrees it’s also practical and doubles as a fun prop!
  • Plan for the worst-case scenario: Find air-conditioned spaces, cold showers, or cold water immersion for your hands and feet. You can even tuck extra cooling packs under your arms or inner thighs for quick relief.
  • Swap out your cooling packs every three hours to stay cool.
  • Keep drinking water throughout the day to prevent dehydration.

Why Event Cooling is Important: It’s crucial to stay hydrated and cool during performances or events to prevent heat exhaustion. As temperatures rise, your body struggles to regulate heat, and your energy can drop dramatically. Cooling vests absorb heat and act as a heat sink, helping to keep your core temperature stable and your holiday spirit high!

Post-Cooling

After a long day of spreading Christmas joy, it’s time to cool down. Start by removing your red suit or costume, sit in a cool spot, and use a fan to cool your body for about five minutes. Then, grab your second set of frozen cooling packs, CoolSleeves, and Headband, and put them back on to help with recovery.

Post-Cooling Tips:

  • Stop by a local gas station and treat yourself to an Icee—cool off while getting into the Christmas spirit! Any drink with small pieces of ice that you can injest will help bring your core temperature down. 
  • At home, take a cool shower and rehydrate to aid recovery after the day’s activities.

Why Post-Cooling is Important: Cooling down after an event lowers your heart rate which causes your body to use less energy and reduces fatigue. All to prepare you for another round of merry-making the next day.

Assemble Your Christmas Cooling Toolkit

To be fully prepared, assemble your cooling kit with the following festive essentials:

  • ThermApparel Cooling Vest and two sets of Cooling Packs
  • Cooler or insulated lunch bag with ice and water (to refreeze your cooling packs)
  • Water bottles
  • Portable travel fan
  • UV Umbrella (optional but fun!)
  • Towel for wiping off cooling packs
  • Sweat-wicking T-shirt and leggings for added comfort
  • Extra set of ExtendedCool Cooling Packs
  • Holiday spirit and a smile!

Assemble Your Team

If possible, have a handler or fellow costumer assist with switching your cooling packs. The opening for the packs is conveniently located on the back of the cooling vest for easy access. If you’re on your own, wear the vest without the straps like a belt, rotate it to your front, and change the packs yourself. 

Practice Makes Perfect 

Familiarize yourself with putting on the cooling vest and costume well before the event to ensure a smooth process. By following this Cooling Plan, you can keep heat sensitivity under control and avoid overheating, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. 

➡️ Download your free Costume Cooling Plan!! ⬅️

Choosing the Right Product

Why PCM Cooling Vests are Perfect for Santa and other Christmas Performers

Cooling vests come in various styles, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. For Santa and other Christmas performers PCM cooling vests are the ideal solution to stay cool without compromising the look or feel of your suit or costume. 

Unlike traditional ice packs that can drop to freezing temperatures and cause discomfort, PCM packs melt and refreeze at a moderate 50-70°F (10-21°C), providing consistent cooling without becoming too cold. They are safe to wear directly against your skin, so there’s no need for any additional barriers or protective layers. And because the packs don’t produce condensation, you don’t have to worry about moisture or dampness affecting you or your suit or costume.

PCM packs work with your body’s natural cooling process, cooling your blood

as it flows over the packs, and circulating that cooling effect throughout your body. This keeps your core temperature balanced and helps you stay focused, comfortable, and dry throughout your performance. 

About ThermApparel PCM Cooling Vests

ThermApparel’s PCM cooling vests fit seamlessly under costumes without adding bulk, ensuring they are discreet, the children won't notice you are wearing it, and photo-friendly. The low-profile design allows you to move freely and maintain the aesthetic of your costume without the cooling vest being visible or causing discomfort. 

These cooling vests are lightweight and easy to recharge – taking just 30 minutes in ice water or 60 minutes in a freezer or refrigerator.

Another key benefit to ThermApparel Cooling Vests is they don’t require batteries, wires, or noisy fans, making them silent and unobtrusive.

UltraCool

For full-body costumes like Santa’s heavy-lined red suit or a jolly snowman, UltraCool is the go-to for maximum cooling. It’s designed for long periods of wear, providing superior heat management and keeping you comfortable even during those long holiday parades and meet-and-greet events.

RallyWrap

For a flexible, adaptable cooling solution, the RallyWrap is perfect for Santa’s helpers or anyone who needs cooling for their arms, waist, or shoulders. It’s easy to wear and adjusts to provide cooling exactly where you need it most.

UnderCool 3

UnderCool 3 is a slim, low-profile vest that’s perfect for tight-fitting costumes like Angels or Mrs. Claus. It works seamlessly with SlimCool or ExtendedCool Cooling Packs to keep you cool without disrupting your look.

CoolSleeve

Stay cool on the go with the CoolSleeve, designed for quick, targeted cooling on your arms. Ideal for quick touch-ups before or after your costume changes, this simple accessory cools you down fast and stays discreet.

Headband

The Headband offers post-cooling relief around your head, perfect for keeping your holiday cheerful and bright when you’re in a Santa or Elf hat for hours.

Grab-&-Go

These convenient Grab-&-Go packs offer 30 minutes of cooling relief and can be tucked anywhere in your costume or sports bra, so you’re never without that needed cool-down in the middle of the holiday hustle.