Digital Santa, Part 2: Tech Tools of the Trade

Steady mall work might be the bread and sugar-plum butter for many working Santas, but there are good fees and tips to be earned at Santa "gigs" -- photo studios that invite Santa in for special portraits, kids' preschool events, private parties and more. Today, old-style Santas just won't do for techie tykes who want their Yuletide magic plugged in and amped up with dynamic lighting, video, sound effects and interactive environments. Instead, the Santa experience has become a sophisticated show business art form and "Techno Santa" rules the season.