Forest Grove Santa House closes its doors this holiday season

A beloved holiday attraction in Forest Grove, the Santa House, announced that its doors will be closed this December.

For years, Tom and Lori Epler have reprised the roles of Santa and Mrs. Claus respectively — opening up their home outside of the city for families to visit during Christmastime.

In September, the couple shared the difficult news that Lori Epler had been diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a fast-growing cancer affecting the soft tissue around a joint.

When the Eplers first received the news in August, the couple remained optimistic about keeping the Santa House open. But it soon became clear that Lori Epler’s immune system would be too vulnerable to allow visitors this year.

“We were really looking forward to continuing, but we just can’t,” Tom Epler said. “It was decided earlier that she might come in part-time, but after talking with her chemo doctor, it was like, ‘No, you’re not going to,’ because if I pick up anything and bring it into the house, it could compromise a lot of things.”

Tom Epler first took on the role of the jolly old elf more than 30 years ago, beginning as a mall Santa before he and his wife decided to create a more personal experience at their home in 2016. The Santa House became a community staple, offering families a chance to visit St. Nick without paying for photos or enduring long lines.

Distinct with its bright green exterior and red trim, families would be greeted by elves and welcomed by Mrs. Claus, who played a crucial role in keeping operations running smoothly and comforting children who were shy around Santa.

Straight out of a scene from a Christmas movie, the home was transformed into a festive wonderland, complete with toy reindeer, the fresh scent of peppermint, a cozy fireplace and Santa’s famous list. Families could take photos, share their Christmas wishes and leave with candy canes.

As a professionally trained Claus couple — having attended specialized “Santa schools” in Michigan — Tom and Lori Epler were well prepared for everything from managing nervous children to handling tough questions. They even completed child psychology courses and were mandatory reporters, helping them understand children’s emotional needs during their visits.

The Eplers heard all kinds of Christmas wishes, from requests for the latest gaming consoles to more serious concerns, such as children hoping for peace at home or mourning the loss of a parent. Lori Epler always emphasized the importance of listening and supporting each visitor, no matter their wish.

While the couple can’t promise a perfect Christmas for everyone, they have always strived to bring joy and comfort to each family that walked through their door.

“It just breaks me up; I want these kids to still have a joyful Christmas. It's not just one person; it's a lot of people,” Tom Epler said.

Last year, around 1,500 children visited the Santa House.

“Even in the Santa House, it's not just Mrs. Claus and me; it's our elves who volunteer their time to help. We've been blessed to have so many great elves help us. That's going to be one of the hard things this year, because we love interacting with the elves alongside the children,” Tom Epler said.

Although the attraction won’t be open this year, Santa Claus is expected to come to town next year when Mrs. Claus has recovered. Lori Epler recently underwent surgery to remove a 12-centimeter tumor and has begun a treatment plan that includes nine rounds of chemotherapy followed by six weeks of radiation.

“I feel really good but tired,” Lori shared in a social media post on Sept. 12. “I’m sorry that I won’t be seeing all my elves and children, but I think this will be the best for myself and Santa.”

For now, the Eplers ask the community to keep them in their thoughts and prayers. To keep the spirit of Christmas alive, they encourage everyone to donate to the local food bank and toy drive at the Forest Grove Fire Department — both organizations the Santa House has always supported.

“It’s all for the children; let’s keep it going for these children,” Tom Epler said. “I want everybody to have a great Christmas.”