Meet Steam Punk Santa Aka Chris Hensley of Franklin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steam Punk Santa Aka Chris Hensley

Hi Steam Punk Santa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Many people often ask how I became Steam Punk Santa, so this is my story.

Few good things came from the Covid lockdown in 2020, but working from home was one of them. It was “No Shave November” and my coworkers decided to let their beards grow. So, after about a year, I ended up with a surprisingly long, white beard. In November of 2021, my wife, Cyndie, and I lost a dear, mutual friend and traveled to Gulf Shores, Alabama to deliver part of her eulogy. I never imagined how much interest I’d draw simply by having the beard and wearing a red beanie hat with a white pom-pom, and steam punk sunglasses! Eventually, people around my small hometown of Franklin started calling me, “Steam Punk Santa.”

One night at a cozy, local bar known for its craft cocktails, O’ Be Joyful, one of our bartender friends, Tyler, offered to make me something “Christmasy” and the “Santa’s Slay” was born. Shortly afterwards, the manager, Jillian, asked if I’d like to be a part of their winter cocktail promotion featuring Santa’s Slay and Steam Punk Santa. Honored, I said yes! But then there was the not so small matter of a suit. No one I initially contacted could make a Santa suit in such short time that close to Christmas, but as luck would have it, I found a tailor named Esso at Best Fit. I showed up to the photo shoot minutes after he put the finishing touches on it, and that was the official beginning of Steam Punk Santa.

Since then, I’ve been Steam Punk Santa all year round, slowing down to share the love and joy of the Christmas spirit, so desperately missing in our world today. I drive a small convertible covered in Christmas lights, honk a jingle bells horn, and listen to nothing but Christmas music as I drive around. Even my license plate reads “Blitzen.” I hand out “Believe- I’m on the Nice List” coins to young and old (and occasionally chocolate “coal”) and, when requested, put on the traditional suit to take pictures with the kiddies. While I do enjoy the cookies and milk they leave me, I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for cookies and bourbon at O’ Be Joyful. People have asked me, “Why do you do it?” My answer is always the same, “Because I love making people smile!”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being Santa presents some challenges with my grandchildren and what to tell them if/when they ask if I’m really Santa. So far, my granddaughter puts on a Santa hat and when my daughter asks her whose hat she’s wearing, she says, “GRANDUDE’S!!”

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I currently work in IT for the corporate office of a local gas company and really enjoy solving problems that help our users. I previously served 8 years in the Air Force in Air Transportation. When people find out I am prior military, I tell them I served in the Air Force, “What other branch would Santa serve in! I fly a sleigh!”

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Cyndie and I absolutely love living in Franklin, Tennessee. Even though Franklin has become very popular and the traffic is getting crazier, it still feels like the small town we both fell in love with when we were in high school… a hundred years ago. Haha! We meet a lot of folks from other places, mostly California. While some locals are not so happy about all our new neighbors, we think it’s an honor and an opportunity to meet new faces from across the country who have chosen our little town, They see it the same way we do; an open and inviting city with street festivals, mom and pop little shops and restaurants/bars dotted all around downtown. As long as we don’t lose the quaint delight that Franklin is to progress, it will continue to be magical. One of our favorite events each year is Beers and Cheers at McCreary’s Irish Pub. On the last Saturday before Christmas, Heath and Thaddeus host a Christmas Carol sing along to a packed house, seats shared with strangers, celebrating the Reason for the Season and the enduring gift of friendship.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steam_punk_santa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080288840759
• Other: [email protected]