Ho-ho-no! Mall Santa’s holiday ends after slip and contract dispute

For two decades, Don Gibble has donned the red suit and white beard, bringing the spirit of Santa Claus to children and families.

But this holiday season, his first stint as a mall Santa at Eden Prairie Center ended abruptly, leaving him out of a job and questioning what went wrong – a “bah humbug” twist to what should have been a season of joy.

Gibble, 55, traveled from Santa Rosa, California, to take the seasonal role on Nov. 11. He was hired through VIP Holiday Photos, a Houston-based company that runs Santa and Easter Bunny photo experiences at over 125 locations, mainly in malls across 35 states. His contract required him to work as Santa at the mall through Dec. 24.

According to its website, the company provides “unique Santa sets,” “real-bearded Santas,” and a staff “committed to making people smile.” Gibble said he committed to six weeks of work for $17,000, covering his own travel and lodging expenses.

“I canceled a lot of other gigs to take this job because it was a full six weeks,” said Gibble, who works as a talent manager for actors. “A country club here or there is just one day of the season, but this seemed like a better opportunity.”

A challenging season

Gibble’s time at Eden Prairie Center included two falls — one in November and another in December. He continued working after the first incident but sought urgent care following the second, on Dec. 5. Later that evening, Gibble said he was dismissed.

Jake Hardin, business development manager for VIP Holiday Photos, stated in an email that Gibble’s removal was due to “breach of contract and violating company policies,” adding that the decision was “unrelated to any other incidents, including falls.” Follow-up questions seeking details about the alleged contract violations went unanswered.

For Gibble, the explanation left more questions than answers. He believes the two falls he experienced during his time at Eden Prairie Center may have contributed to his dismissal, even though VIP Holiday Photos denied any connection. He said VIP has not returned his calls for clarification and has not provided specifics about the alleged violations.

On Nov. 16, Gibble said he tripped over a plugged-in electrical cord during a performance in the mall’s center court, where he and another performer dressed as Mrs. Claus were welcoming the holiday season for children and their families.

“I was supposed to be the big surprise at the end of a song, but I fell on my way in,” Gibble said. “Someone had to help me up, and I finished the song with Mrs. Claus because I didn’t want to upset the kids.”

Afterward, he said his leg, knee, and foot were throbbing. He reported the injury to VIP Holiday Photos but decided not to seek medical attention and continued working every scheduled day, except Thanksgiving, when the mall was closed.

Gibble said he fell again on Dec. 5, this time in the break room.

“I slipped on water, and it was really bad,” he said. “My whole body hit the ground, and nobody was around to help me up.”

After finishing his shift, Gibble went to urgent care, where he said he was diagnosed with a sprained knee and an issue with his left foot.

That evening, he said VIP Holiday Photos told him not to return.

“They said they had already replaced me,” Gibble recalled. “They didn’t even ask how I was feeling.”

Gibble said he believes he did nothing wrong. “I do think my falls raised concerns,” he said. “They never expressed any worries about my health or performance.”

Legal advice and unpaid wages

Before returning to Santa Rosa on Dec. 16, Gibble sought legal advice to collect the approximately $10,000 he believes he is still owed under his contract. “I’m talking to two attorneys, but I haven’t hired one yet,” he said. Signed in October, his contract outlined a backloaded payment structure, with higher payouts closer to Christmas to account for the busier holiday weeks.

According to the contract, his compensation for the first two weeks was $3,100, followed by $3,600 for the next two, and $4,400 leading into the week before Christmas. He was also set to receive $5,400 for the final weeks covering Dec. 22 through Jan. 4.

Gibble said he obtained video footage from the first fall, which he believes shows him tripping over the electrical cord.

“A parent who was there filmed it,” he said. “She said she originally took the video for fun, but when I asked if she had a photo, she shared the whole thing with me.”

Gibble said he has not yet received a bill for his Dec. 5 urgent care visit after the fall. Last week, he saw his doctor, who ordered an MRI on his left foot, which he said is still bothering him.

For Gibble, playing Santa Claus is more than a job – it’s a calling. Despite his challenges this holiday season, he remains determined to continue playing Santa.

Before returning to California, Gibble booked a few local Santa appearances in Minnesota. He had not scheduled any work back in Santa Rosa, anticipating he would remain at Eden Prairie Center through Christmas Eve.

“The kids make it worthwhile, especially kids with Down syndrome,” he said. “I will definitely continue playing Santa. I’m only 55 years old, so I have at least 30 years more!”

A mall representative stated that the center is committed to providing a positive experience for both visitors and staff during the holiday season, adding that VIP Holiday Photos oversees its Santa program.