BIOGRAPHY OF DOUG PORTWOOD, "THE AUTHENTIC SANTA"
Known as "The Authentic Santa," Doug Portwood has been portraying the world's most recognizable icon since 2005. He is real, relaxed, experienced, and event-savvy, comfortable in a wide variety of venues, including large corporate parties, parades, fundraisers, Polar Express-styled trains, neighborhood holiday parties, single-family in-home Santa visits, and private parties of all sorts. He believes in a real traditional, gentle, and authentic Santa experience for children and adults alike.
"Santa Doug" has a deep sense of commitment to philanthropic events and charitable activities. He regularly visits nursing homes, assisted living centers, and Alzheimer's care units. He has communicated in large and small structured life and video forums with children in public school systems and visited private daycare and pre-schools as well. Santa Doug is the resident Santa at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas.
He has been featured on local television news broadcasts and during live local programming. He has played significant roles, including hosting and emceeing fundraisers, hospital activities, tree lightings, and large corporate gatherings. This Santa is a gifted, full-time traditional version with a naturally white, long soft beard that kids and seniors alike enjoy.
He is hospice-trained through Houston Hospice, Inc., Texas Children's Hospital volunteer training program (Patient Pal), Children's Health Medical Center, Dallas (Child Life volunteer), and has formal training from School for Santas, Claus Fest, Santa Claus Workshop, and the Santa Claus Oath. . In 2024, Doug was honored by the DFW Hospital Council Foundation as the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ in 2024. Santa Doug's very traditional portrayal of Santa has brought clients back to him year after year, several home visit clients have had this Santa back for as many as twelve years; he has a return rate of 100% for all appearances. This Santa is sought after by many hospital 'specialty clinics' for their annual Christmas Holiday events, where he and Mrs. Claus bring the joy of the Christmas season to patients and families, and especially to the staff and their families that work so hard at 'making life better'.
Santa Doug is keeping his eye on you, so be good for goodness sake!
Doug is a married father of two grown children and a retired successful retail executive. He is insured and has an annual background check performed that is available and on file.