The Mall Santa
Mike Graham
If you stop by Tysons Corner Center during the holiday season, you’ll likely see Mike Graham posing as Santa Claus. This will be his 37th year, and he’s watched kids grow up and eventually bring their own children (even grandkids) to whisper Christmas wishes. Here he reflects on being a career Kris Kringle.
Selling Santa Is More Than a Look
Let’s get one thing out of the way: Yes, the beard is real. But the illusion is about more than appearance. Graham will chat about the cookies kids left for him last year, reminding them to add a glass of milk so Santa has the strength to power through the night. “I’ll say, ‘When I’m at your house, you’re always sleeping. Why is that? I thought you were going to be up!’ You put it back on them.”
Sometimes the Ruse Is Up
When older kids start to catch on that Santa may not be real, Graham uses the opportunity to let them in on another holiday secret. “I say, ‘You remember when you enjoyed the presents over the past years? Once you lose that magic, then it’s time for you to start helping others. That’s when you get the real feel of what Christmas is all about.’ ” He often frames it as a new role, keeping the spirit alive for younger siblings or friends.
Waiting in Line Can Be Special (Really!)
Graham finds inspiration in what he witnesses leading up to the photo. It can be a two- or three-hour wait, and with a crowd of antsy kids, there’s always potential for a meltdown. But he sees people help each other, pushing strollers for busy parents and holding places in line for bathroom breaks, even covering the cost of photos if someone can’t afford them. “It’s just amazing that over the years, that portion of it never changes. That’s what humanity is all about.”
The Radio Host
Chilli Amar
For almost a decade, the team at 97.1 WASH-FM have put on ugly sweaters, onesies, and Santa suits and gathered to flip the switch each season on round-the-clock holiday music. Chilli Amar, cohost of Toby + Chilli Mornings, shares some of what she’s learned while playing constant Christmas tunes.
The Fandom Is Strong
Holiday music typically kicks off in mid-November, but callers start asking when it’ll begin around Halloween. One enthusiast even started the “97.1 WASH-FM Christmas Music Fans” group on Facebook, which now has more than 1,800 members. “They are the perfect representation of why we do this,” says Amar. “That’s really what this is all about, bringing people together.” Members post guesses about when the music will begin and share favorite tracks, memories, and holiday photos.
No, She’s Not Sick of Christmas Music
A daily stream of sleigh bells and pa rum pum pum pum over a month and a half could result in a dislike of, or even total disdain for, holiday music. Luckily, Amar still loves it. For one, she knows there’s a short window to appreciate these songs. There’s also a nostalgia factor: “I can’t get enough of hearing the classics mixed in with some of the current artists that are doing some of the older songs. You kind of reminisce about the good old days when you were a kid.” Amar’s personal favorites include the ’80s classic “Last Christmas” by Wham! and Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree,” from 2013.
The King and Queen of Christmas
The first song of the season is top-secret: The hosts don’t even know what they’ll be playing until it’s on the air. In the past, listeners voted for the inaugural track, and the first song pinged between Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams. Says Amar: “The messaging is perfect. It’s the most wonderful time of the year because we’re about to start playing Christmas music 24-7.”
The Decorator
Nadine Araji
Nadine Araji, the designer behind the Belle Noel, a holiday decor company, has been decking the halls of businesses and homes around Washington for 16 years. Here, she shares her tips and trends for the season.
Classic Decor Is In
Araji refers to the aesthetic as “Capitol Hill townhouse,” a shift away from busy designs and baubles, toward simple greenery with red bows. “You find that residences are going back to a traditional, Old World look.”
Subtle Can Still Stand Out
“If you just want to have one beautiful arrangement on your table, then make the colors and the detail the statement,” she says. Araji is reaching for ivory flowers dotted with pearls, stems with crystal butterflies, and pieces in shades of champagne and gold for an upscale feel.
When in Doubt, Get a Garland
Lush foliage on a door or mantle is an easy way to spruce up your home. Araji recommends faux greenery for easier maintenance, especially now that there are options that look and feel like the real thing. However, simplicity can be deceptive: Last year, Araji draped a McLean residence with a garland that cost $5,000.
This article appears in the December 2025 issue of Washingtonian.
Daniella Byck joined Washingtonian in 2022. She was previously with Outside Magazine and lives in Takoma.
