Patrick Brown of Kaimuki has been Santa’s helper for more than 30 years.

Brown, 59, is a former chef who found his calling as Santa Claus. He has a real beard that he wears year-round, and sports a jolly costume adorned with bells on his boots, belt and wrists.

(Spoiler alert: He also stood in for Santa at our request to answer letters from Liholiho Elementary School kindergartners.)

Brown attended a Santa Claus school on the mainland, where he learned the finer points of "Ho, ho, ho" and certain rules of thumb, like never promising a gift, but got most of his experience being Santa’s helper at various malls over the years.

During the holiday season, babies, kids and sometimes even adults sit on his lap while he cocks his ear to listen to what they want for Christmas. He’s seen a number of babies who sat on his lap grow into adults who then bring their own kids to see him year after year.

"It’s a nice feeling seeing them grow up over the years," he said. "It’s a season that should be joyful for the kids. It’s my happiest time of the year."

Over the years, the veteran Santa, who got his first stint in 1979 at Pearlridge Center’s Sears, has become adept at jiggling babies on his knees to make them feel more comfortable.

Some babies will cry, nevertheless, while others will sit contentedly. It’s all part of the fun of being Santa’s helper, says Brown.

The most unusual request he ever got was from a little girl who said she wanted another mommy — not because she didn’t have a mommy, but because she thought hers was so great she wanted another one.

His response was: "I’ll see what I can do."

Every year, Brown chooses a family and gives them a gift — a Santa doll — on Christmas Eve. He selects the family at random, he said, in the spirit of the holidays.