NPR

This Year, Mrs. Claus Is Coming To Town — And Not As Santa's Sidekick

America's Santa industry has long been a male-dominated one. But, increasingly, Santa's better half is breaking loose.

Decked in red velvet, Darla Bicknell has spent this holiday season hightailing it around Dallas. She has made appearances at four country clubs, four preschools, three banks and three parades. On Dec. 23, she will attend a Dallas Cowboys game and then return home with the team's owner, Jerry Jones, to present his nine grandchildren with gifts.

It's the busiest time of the year for Dallas' pre-eminent Mrs. Claus. "I

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