Keeping Christmas Cool
Every Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Elf knows the truth: holiday costumes may look magical, but they feel like a furnace. Beneath the velvet, fur trim, and twinkling lights, temperatures can soar past 95°F inside your suit, draining your energy, melting your makeup, and cutting your performance power in half. But here’s the good news: with the right cooling strategy, you can stay jolly, comfortable, and picture-perfect all season long.
The Hidden Dangers of Heat for Christmas Performers
Heat is a silent but serious threat, especially for performers in full holiday costumes. It causes more deaths each year than hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods combined, yet it’s often overlooked.
Overheating can turn your joyful day into a sweaty struggle, whether you’re posing with kids at the mall, walking in a parade, or bringing a snowman or reindeer to life.
The key factor is the heat index, which blends air temperature with humidity. A “comfortable” 70°F (21°C) outside can feel much hotter once you’re wrapped in layers of fur, velvet, and padding. Inside your suit, the heat index can climb past 95°F (35°C), cutting your energy and performance capacity by up to 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
Our Cooling Plan helps you beat the heat and deliver the holiday magic without discomfort. It breaks down into three simple stages: Pre-Cooling, Event Cooling, and Post-Cooling. Follow these steps, and you’ll stay cool from your first “Ho, ho, ho” to your last photo. Download the free Christmas Performer Cooling Plan.
Pre-Cooling
Don’t wait until you’re in full Santa gear to cool down. Start regulating your body temperature in advance so your body handles heat more effectively once you suit up.
Adding a few cooling accessories like the CoolSleeves and Headband will help keep you chill while you get ready.
Pre-Cooling Tips:
- Wear your Cooling Vest and CoolSleeves while getting ready.
- Hydrate with small, steady sips of cold water.
- Swap to a fresh set of frozen cooling packs right before you layer up.
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
Once the event begins, the goal is to stay ahead of the heat.
Event Cooling Tips:
- Wear your Cooling Vest with fresh packs.
- Use a UV umbrella (bonus points if it matches your holiday look!) to bring the temp down by 10°F
- Swap cooling packs every three hours or as needed.
- Plan for worst-case scenarios: find air conditioning, a fan, or use extra cooling packs under your arms or thighs for fast relief.
Why Event Cooling is Important: Cooling vests act as a “heat sink,” absorbing and dispersing heat to keep your core temperature balanced — so you can stay focused, safe, and merry.
Post-Cooling
After the event, recovery is key!
Post-Cooling Tips:
- Switch to fresh packs and put on CoolSleeves and a Headband.
- Remove costume layers and sit with a fan for five minutes.
- Treat yourself to an Icee on the drive home.
- Rehydrate and take a cool shower to fully recover.
Why Post-Cooling is Important: Post-cooling lowers your heart rate faster, helping you rebuild energy and avoid next-day fatigue.
Assemble Your Christmas Cooling Toolkit
To be fully prepared, assemble your cooling kit with the following festive essentials:
- ThermApparel Cooling Vest and 2 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!
Choosing the Right Product
Why PCM Cooling Vests are Perfect for Santa and other Christmas
Not all cooling methods are created equal. Unlike ice packs that freeze too cold and cause condensation, PCM cooling packs maintain a steady 50–70°F, safe to wear against your skin without soaking your costume.
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UltraCool – Best for heavy, full-body costumes like Santa suits or snowmen.
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RallyWrap – Flexible cooling for arms, waist, or shoulders. Every makeup artist’s dream: it prevents overheating and makeup meltdowns without messing up costumes.
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UnderCool 3 – Low-profile vest for tighter costumes. Can be worn under or over a corset — even without straps if needed.
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CoolSleeve – Quick, targeted arm cooling.
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Headband – Relieves head heat under hats and wigs.
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Mini Cooling Packs – Portable 30-minute relief, great for emergencies.
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 they are 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.
S:5 E:28 of The Tuesday Night LIVE Show on Tuesday September 16, 2025. Tonight's Episode is all about precaution and prevention. Julia Kracke will be educating us on the hidden dangers of heat exhaustion. She will share ThermApparel's Christmas Performer Cooling Plan and much more. Julia will talk about the warning signs, root cause and most importantly how you can prevent it with the state-of-the-art ThermApparel Cooling Vest and all of their line of related products.