The Tale of Kris & Holly
Michael Sheinbaum had been a professional Santa for 10 years by 2018. That season, he lived in Bryson City, NC as the photo Santa for the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad’s Polar Express Event. Michael wanted to keep the magic going without waiting until the next December. He wanted to find a way to perform for children and families throughout the year.
Enter Snippy Doodles
He decided the best way to become a year-round entertainer was to talk with people who “walked the walk.” The first person he interviewed was Renate McIntosh, the legendary Snippy Doodles the Clown. Renate had been entertaining children throughout Delaware for thirty years. She was also a respected magician, a Mrs. Claus, and one of the best balloon twisters in the business. And on December 30, 2018, the two met at a diner and talked about everything that they did and felt passionate about. The meeting went very well, and they hoped to be able to work together some time in the future.
The January Santa Event
At the same time, a young woman was being placed in a medically-induced coma at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, DE. Her name was Sophia, and she absolutely adored Christmas. Each year, a legendary Santa, Jack W Baker, Sr. would visit Sophia and make her Christmases unforgettable. However, Sophia needed surgery that December to give her greater mobility, and it required her to be unconscious into January of the next year.
The surgery was successful. Soon after waking up, however, she realized she had missed Christmas. Jack was geographically unavailable at that time, and he asked for a volunteer. Michael was happy to oblige (it happened to be the first year he didn’t shave off his beard at the end of the season). He also remembered that Renate was a great Mrs. Claus and asked her to join him.
With teddy bear in hand, Renate and Michael met Sophia and gave her a January Christmas visit that delighted her and her family. It was then that the two realized that they had great chemistry and should do more together. In short order, Michael and Renate fell in love.
Becoming Kris & Holly
Throughout 2019, the two catalyzed each other’s growth. Going professionally as Kris & Holly Gander, they created characters which combined the elements of both the North Pole and Mother Goose. Michael became Renate’s roadie, learning all of the ins and outs of children’s entertainment. Projects began as the two experimented with video and live performances. By the end of the year, back in Bryson City where this story began, Michael proposed to Renate, and they were married in June of 2020.
Growth during the pandemic
In spite of COVID-19, Kris & Holly experienced a period of unprecedented growth. Renate produced an acclaimed new Mother Goose show and honed her skills. Michael, meanwhile, published his first book, an allegory for the pandemic called “The Elves Indoors.” As they focused on virtual visits during the holidays, Kris & Holly arranged for responses to children’s letters to Santa, delivered by the local police. That work with the Upper Merion, PA Police, Project Blue Letter, continues to this day.
It gets even better.
As live performances grew in demand by 2022, Michael had learned enough from Renate that the two could begin performing together on stage. Over the next two years, they would work with Ukrainian artist Elena Rogers to publish their second book, Tales from Kris & Holly, Vol. 1. Meanwhile, Michael was hired as a puppeteer for Netflix as demand for Renate’s magic increased. And together, they would be the Santa & Mrs. Claus for Cape May, NJ’s Breakfast with Santa at historic Congress Hall.
Kris & Holly Today
Kris & Holly®, now based in Dover, Delaware, offers top-quality family entertainment and unforgettable holiday memories. Whether your event needs amazing balloon sculptures, an educational program, or a little Christmas right this very minute, we are available to bring joy to all. And starting in 2025, Kris & Holly will offer STEM programs for schools throughout Delaware and Eastern Maryland. To find out more about what we can do for you, click here. We’d love to hear from you.
