Anyone who doesn’t believe in the magic of Christmas, might want to spend time with Terry and Ray Lafleur as they portray Santa and Mrs. Claus.

For the past two years, the Lafleurs don their bright red suits and play out their roles as Santa and Mrs. Claus in a way that’s hard to believe they are only in character, and not real.

The couple have enjoyed dressing up as Santa and Mrs. Claus to spread Christmas cheer riding in local parades, visiting nursing homes and greeting children from the front porch of their home in Jennings.

They spend three nights a week sitting in rocking chairs on the front porch of their gingerbread-like home at 431 E. Academy Street where they pass out candy canes and take pictures with children. Children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family members often join in the fun playing elves and greeting visitors.

“I really get a great joy out of it,” said Ray, a 68-year-old former Marine. “I had done Santa Claus a few times at different places because someone asked me to dress up for them, but that was hit or miss, once a year.”

Children and occasionally adults sit in Ray’s lap and tell the jolly ole man in the white beard and red suit what they want for Christmas. To stay in character, Ray lets his white beard grow year-round.

“I love that I have Mrs. Claus with me instead of just a Santa sitting there,” Ray said. “The kids love that Mrs. Claus is sitting there. They actually feel more protected when she’s there. She makes me shine.”

The couple were encouraged to become Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus by Terry’s cousin, Doug, who is a certified Santa in Oklahoma.

“He mentioned to Ray about getting involved and how much fun it was with the kids,” 64-year-old Terry said. “That’s how two years ago we really got started.”

For the couple, it is more than just putting on their North Pole finery and playing a role. It is about spreading joy at Christmas.

“Just seeing the kids enjoying themselves and running around the yard is worth it,” Terry said.

For Ray his favorite part of playing Santa is seeing the expressions on everyone’s faces and seeing the parents watching the kids.

“My heart is so open to children, “ he said. “I want them to have that opportunity – rich, poor or otherwise… I want them to feel that love out there. The excitement, love and joy, it all comes together.”

Some children are still skeptical of Santa at first, but many end up on his lap or giving him a big hug before they leave.

“I’ve seen kids at the parade who see Santa Claus from the other side of the street and run to him,” said senior elf Vicki Fontenot. “And there are some that cry. But overall the kids are real sweet and so excited, especially if you can get the kid’s name before they go to Santa and Santa says their name they go, ‘How did you know my name?”

The couple have been decorating their house and yard with thousands of lights, wooden cutouts and blown up characters for Halloween and Christmas for years, Terry said.

“We go a little crazy for Halloween, but Christmas is our big thing,” she said, noting that the decorations are usually in place after Thanksgiving.

The couple change up and add to the display each year. This year, they added six new wooden cutouts including a giant sleigh and a new Santa and Mrs. Claus cutout. Plans are already being made to add alligators to pull Santa’s sleigh next year, Ray said.

Ray is able to channel his inner elf and build most of the Christmas decorations for his yard. Other family members help with the painting, decorating and dressing as elves.

A community tree was added last year to allow children and local residents to bring or make ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree in the front yard. There are also craft tables to allow children to make Christmas cards for veterans and nursing home residents.

The decorations stay up from late November to early January, but Santa is only there on certain nights.

Ray said the decorations are designed for children to play and have fun.

“A lot of people put up decorations and say, ‘Don’t touch,’ but this yard is kid friendly, if you break something I’ll make another one or fix it. I just want the kids to have fun.”

The couple encourages parents to take pictures of their children with Santa or the decorations.

Santa and his merry crew will be making an appearance at 431 East Academy 6:30-8:30 p.m. to